Career Path of an Independent Senior Strategy and Leadership Consultant
Michael's unconventional career path began with military service, where rapid advancement through the ranks from E1 to Sergeant, managing 12 Marines in Iraq and moving "100 pound bombs," provided early leadership experience. Post-military, a marketing position and property management didn't fulfill Michael, leading to a return to school culminating in a UCLA finance certificate and Pepperdine master's degree, setting the stage for their current role.
Leadership, Military Experience, Career Transition, Higher Education, Organizational Design
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Acosta
Senior Strategy & Leadership Consultant
Independent Consulting Firm
Santa Monica College, Penn State, UCLA 2019
Pepperdine University Masters in Business and Leadership
Business Management & Admin
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
Disabled, Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Military leadership experience: Michael's early career in the military provided significant leadership experience, managing personnel and overseeing complex operations, which translated well into the consulting world.
2. Academic background: His academic path, including an undergraduate degree in marketing and leadership, a finance certificate from UCLA, and a master's degree from Pepperdine in management and leadership, demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and development in relevant fields.
3. Non-traditional career path: Michael's journey showcases a non-traditional career path, highlighting the value of diverse experiences (military service, property management) and the importance of pursuing further education to align with long-term career goals. This is encouraging for students considering unconventional routes.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college and then any internships or jobs you had before your current role?
It's a privilege to be here and an honor to answer these questions. My career path is a bit unconventional. I joined the military at 17 and started boot camp as an E1 private.
I quickly rose through the ranks due to leadership skills I acquired in high school from ROTC. While still an individual contributor as a private first class, I went to combat training, leadership schools, and job school. I was promoted again for time in service, still as an individual contributor, but responsible for a small number of personnel.
Later on, after more testing and leadership courses, I moved up to E4, which was an assistant supervisor. At 21, in 2003 during the Iraq War, I was given the rank of Sergeant.
One of the biggest leadership experiences I had was when I was managing 12 Marines and was given a very special assignment during the war. During that time, I was able to move over 100-pound bombs, a record for the Marine Corps. We were cited by the president for this. That was my first real glimpse of what leadership and vulnerability meant.
Transitioning out of the military was a challenge. I held a marketing position for BDS Marketing and worked as a property manager, overseeing over 300 units. Nothing truly resonated with me the way the military had.
So, I decided to go back to school. I earned my undergrad in Marketing and Leadership, and a finance certificate from UCLA, which is why I'm here today. I also received my master's from Pepperdine in Management and Leadership, and I deal with organizational design as well.
Advizer Personal Links
Not at this time