For Chase Carter, the path to Clemson’s MBA program was both practical and purposeful. After serving in the Marine Corps and earning a degree in finance, he found the transition to graduate school a natural step. With veteran benefits making higher education accessible, and Clemson’s MBA program having a high percentage of veterans among master’s programs, enrolling felt like the right move. “It just made sense on multiple different fronts,” Chase shared. “There’s so much support here, and tons of opportunities if you take advantage of them.”
As a corporate MBA student, Chase has experienced firsthand the resources available to help students succeed. While veterans can waive the internship requirement, Chase emphasized that the career development staff and events are invaluable. “Even though I didn’t need to go through the internship class, I know if I reach out, they’ll connect me with the right people,” he explained. Networking nights, career fairs, and events like Tiger Pro Night have been particularly impactful. Through these connections, Chase has secured internships with companies such as LPL Financial and NewRez, leveraging both Clemson resources and his veteran network to open doors.
Chase’s impact extends beyond academics. He served as president of Clemson’s Student Veterans Association (SVA), where he organized events such as the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and established partnerships with organizations like the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs and Upstate Warrior Solution. Under his leadership, Clemson rose in national rankings as a military-friendly University, climbing to #2 in the country in just three years. “It’s been pretty cool to be a part of that,” Chase reflected. “I love that group of people.”
During his Marine Corps service, Chase worked on avionics for helicopters, a role that took him across the country. From emergency desert landings in Arizona to being stranded in Biloxi during the early days of COVID-19, his experiences were as challenging as they were memorable. Military service, he said, gave him the structure and purpose he needed: “I don’t think if I went to college straight out of high school that I would have been as successful as I am now.”
As he approaches graduation next spring, Chase is weighing career options while leveraging the strong veteran and Clemson networks he has established. Though his exact path is still evolving, he remains confident in the program’s role in preparing him for leadership. “My plan changes every week,” he admitted with a smile, “but I know that with the resources here, I’ll be ready.”
To other MBA candidates, veteran or not, Chase offers this advice: “Take full advantage of the opportunities Clemson provides.” From career fairs to alum connections, he believes success comes down to participation. “If you just stay home and don’t do anything, you won’t get anywhere,” he said. “But everything’s out there. The program gives you the tools; you have to use them.”
