Brandon Moccia spent his last two years in the U.S. Army as an executive officer with the famed 82nd Airborne Division, managing the day-to-day operations of a company of 120 paratroopers. But in 2024, he prepared to make what he describes as his biggest jump of all: to a civilian career.

“Transitioning out of the Army is often very difficult,” Brandon says. “You come from a world of predictability and high demand into a world of many possibilities but also many unknowns. Making this jump is the achievement I am most proud of.”

Brandon saw Vanderbilt’s location—“It’s hard to be bored in Nashville,” he says—and small class sizes as significant parts of the school’s appeal. However, the MBA program's Mod system confirmed that Vanderbilt was an ideal fit, especially with so many “unknowns” regarding his career direction. “Initially, I was unsure of what I wanted to focus on,” he says. “But knowing I had flexibility in building my schedule and concentrations, and having the opportunity to take many different types of classes, was important to me.”

As he explored different pathways, Brandon gravitated toward finance and consulting. After his first year, the Chicago-area native landed a summer internship with a consulting group in Boston. As he prepared for that opportunity, one of his favorite memories stemmed from Professor Mario Avila’s Business of Sports class. “My group was assigned to consult with the new women’s volleyball program [at Vanderbilt] and advise them on how to manage their NIL and build a strategy to market the team,” he says. “It was a great experience to help a young program build their brand and create awareness.”

Brandon came out of the Army knowing he needed to bolster his resume and technical skills. Looking back on his two years in the program, he believes the mission was accomplished. “Vanderbilt provided me with a platform to challenge myself academically, prepare myself professionally, develop myself personally, and pursue a post-graduate career,” he says.  

“It has radically changed my future. Outside of the technical and business skills it equipped me with, Vanderbilt positioned me extremely well for a job after graduation, and it has provided me with lifelong friendships and a vibrant alumni network I know I can tap into anytime.”