Brian Gorski, WMBA ‘25

Brian Gorski, WMBA ‘25, grew up with a strong sense of patriotism and a desire to serve his country. He took that passion to the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at the University of Dayton, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army. 

After serving for eight years and living in various cities across the United States, Brian began thinking about his future. The military life, while rewarding, wasn’t conducive to the family life he was creating. Soon after getting married and having kids, the desire for stability became a priority, and he looked to transition out of the military and into a new career path. 

While in the Army, Brian earned a master’s degree in engineering management at Missouri University of Science and Technology. It was in this program that he discovered he was more interested in his business classes than his engineering classes. 

“Having a technical background is great, but I found that I really want to interact with people and discover ways I can improve their lives, and business would allow me to do that,” Brian said. “And I think having both is a pretty lethal combo.”

Going from the Military to the Ross School of Business

Discovering that the jobs he was interested in required an MBA, Brian knew that business school was his next logical step. But, with a growing family, he needed a program that could accommodate his busy schedule while providing the background to make him competitive in the business world. For Brian, there was only one school that could fit that bill.  

“I knew right away that I wanted to go to Michigan Ross,” Brian said. “U-M is a very prestigious university, and I wanted to get the best education that I could. Talking with people I knew who were already at Ross and hearing the great things they had to say solidified my decision.”

While Brian was laser-focused on attending Ross, he was undecided about which program to choose. After researching his options, he found that the Weekend MBA would provide the flexibility he needed while allowing his family to stay settled in their current city — Cincinnati, Ohio.  

Around the same time he was accepted to the school, he started a new job, one that, as it turns out, required an MBA. However, his company made an exception, knowing that he would be attending the Ross WMBA Program.

Finding Balance

Balancing his home, work, and school responsibilities requires time management and organization, but Brian says the every-other-weekend format of the WMBA Program, along with the support and understanding of his wife, has enabled him to make it all work. 

I’m able to be home in the mornings for school drop-off, which is important to me,” Brian said. “It’s also nice to have our weekends off to do stuff with my family and do the hobbies that I enjoy. Even though I’m busy, I’ve never had this much time with my family. My wife and kids love being a part of the Michigan community, too.

Brian credits his professors and fellow classmates, many of whom are in similar life positions, with helping him manage the demands of the program. 

“In our classes, it’s mentioned up front that we have responsibilities outside of school, so meetings are scheduled for after dinner or after kids have gone to bed,” Brian said. “Professors have been willing to make changes in stride and adapt to the general consensus, which is awesome.” 

Using What He’s Learning

Brian’s experience at Ross has been everything he knew it would be — and then some. He’s been able to take what he’s learning and bring fresh ideas and information to challenges in his position as a project manager/business analyst in the aerospace and defense field.  

“It’s been really rewarding to be able to share the knowledge I’ve been learning to teach and lead my peers,” Brian said. “I’ve gotten a lot from my economics, marketing, and strategy courses, and I find that I’m often the subject matter expert at work.” 

Forging Connections 

Brian has found value in the network he’s created with those in and out of the WMBA program, especially those from the veteran community. 

Ross has a very strong veteran community in that everyone supports each other. It’s great to bond with fellow veterans who are going through the same life situations — transitioning out of the military and into the business world. Having people who understand where you’re coming from is so important.