Real Humans of the Rady School of Management MBA Program
Richard Markell, Rady MBA Class of 2019
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA.
Richard Markell, Rady MBA Class of 2019
Pre-MBA Work Experience: I have a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine University of Missouri, MRCVS from the Royal College of Veterinary Medicine London.
Why business school? Why now? After 32 years in private equine orthopedics and work with the United States Olympic Team, a second hip replacement made practice challenging. I have had years of teaching, legal, pharmaceutical and medical device industry consulting and knew this would be an exciting and challenging second career. In addition, I have had a long relationship with one of the largest not-for-profit therapeutic riding center for people with disabilities, and I know a business degree will add to the skills I can offer to them as a volunteer.
Why Rady? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? San Diego is a hub of biotechnology and medical innovation so contacts and collaboration is central. In addition, UC San Diego and Rady are renowned centers of innovation and startups. I knew the networking resources would be remarkable here. We have access that is incredibly open to the entire university and biotech industry here in San Diego. It is also a great place to live!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Rady MBA class? We have a remarkable and diverse class from highly successful engineers, physicians, corporate managers, Navy SEALS and pilots, researchers, entrepreneurs, a non-profit leader, financial managers, international students with vast experience in biotech and even myself as a veterinarian! Each person in our class brings a perspective and wealth of knowledge that expands ones’ learning experience beyond expectations. My approach to problem solving has been transformative interacting with my fellow students. We have a remarkable “team” approach in all our classes and the mutual respect and support is a core value here at Rady.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? My friends have all told me I am crazy going back to school at my age … then immediately tell me how awesome they think it is an wish they would have done it! Second fun fact, as an equine orthopedic specialist who travels and consults all over the world, my wife makes me take our little French Bull dog Bubbles to another veterinarian even for vaccines!
Post-MBA career interests? Creating a biotech and medical industry consulting firm in for both the human and veterinary market.
Advice to Current Prospective Applicants
One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? Prepare family and work to for your new time commitments with school.
One thing you would change or do differently? More mathematics refresher preparation (Have taught but not been a student for 30 years!)
Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? Data analytics… fantastic professor but not my “song” ! Classmates provided excellent support and oxygen masks!
Greatest highlight so far at Rady? Being around so many truly remarkable and accomplished people in my class.
One thing about Rady that you didn’t expect? Started receiving job offers the moment I started school and my industry “heard” I was at Rady and transitioning careers.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? Having enough extra time to develop and prepare for my new company.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year? A new way of thinking and understanding business. I am a doctor and this is a new and exciting perspective change that I truly believe fits perfectly with my successful previous career and will launch me in to my life’s second chapter.
About the Author
Matthew Korman
Matthew Korman is a writer on MetroMBA. Since graduating from Rowan University with a degree in journalism and political science, Matthew has worked as a music industry writer and promoter, a data analyst, and with numerous academic institutions. His works have appeared in publications such as NPR and Sports Illustrated.
