It wasn’t so much that Eric Richard’s career stalled. It was his industry: oil

“I had strong engineering skills,” he says, “but due to the stagnant oil price, my prior employer was struggling, and most projects were shelved or stalled. I realized that if I want to have a versatile skill set for times like that, I can’t just be technically strong. I need to understand the business.”

Eric set his sights on consulting as the area to reboot his career. One thing that attracted him to Vanderbilt was Owen’s “strong record of placing consultants,” he says. But even more, he adds, “My interactions with staff and alumni were my number one reason for coming to Vanderbilt. I feel that the friendliness and camaraderie will make me a better team member and manager. Everyone in this school is approachable and wants to help you be the best you can be.”

During his first year, Eric found that he had a knack for addressing business problems. He was part of teams that won two different case competitions (one was sponsored by Deloitte, the company with which he earned a summer consulting internship in Atlanta).

Among the other highlights of his first year, he says, was the discovery that he wasn’t just learning in class but was able to contribute, thanks to a perspective that one else in the group could bring to the table. “We had a discussion on a case about investment in the oil industry in Canada, where I was working,” Eric recalls. “The case was interesting because I lived it and it focused on environmental, social and governance issues where I could have great input and help shape the class’s understanding.

“This program has led to a complete career shift for me. I’ll be doing work I love helping companies solve their most challenging problems, and I’ll be on the fast track to a management position.”

Fun Fact: An avid auto racer, Eric built racecars and drove them through Formula SAE, an international collegiate racing competition.

“I’ll be doing work I love helping companies solve their most challenging problems, and I’ll be on the fast track to a management position.”