2019 Best & Brightest: Andrew Bower, Washington University (Olin)

Andrew Bower

Washington University, Olin Business School

“Candid…like an unfiltered Instagram pic.”

Fun fact about yourself: I have dual citizenship in the United States and Australia.

Hometown: Orinda, CA

High School: Miramonte High School

Majors: BSBA in Economics & Strategy; BA in International Affairs

Favorite Business Course: My favorite business course is Market Competition and Value Appropriation (MEC 470) with Professor Silveira. In MEC 470, Professor Silveira explains advanced topics in game theory through relevant real-world examples. Although the class was difficult, it solidified my interest in studying Economics & Strategy.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

  • Resident Advisor
  • Teaching Assistant: Head TA for Business Strategy, Senior TA for Management 100
  • Washington University International Relations Council (Model UN): Executive Board Representative, Director of Committees, Director of Delegations
  • Connections* LGBTQIA+ Peer Mentor
  • LGBTQ+ Leadership Conferences
    • McKinsey GLAM Undergraduate Leadership Summit (Participant)
    • Out for Undergrad Business Conference (Participant and Campus Ambassador)
  • Outstanding RA Award, Washington University First Year Center
  • Top Diplomacy Award, Harvard World Model United Nations Conference

Where have you interned during your college career? (List Companies, Locations and Roles)

  • Summer 2018: Capital One, Business Analyst Intern, McLean, VA
  • Summer 2017: Deloitte, Market Development Intern, San Francisco, CA
  • Summer 2016: Prism, Marketing Intern, San Francisco, CA

Where will you be working after graduation? After graduation, I will be working as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company in Chicago.

What company do you admire most? I admire Warby Parker. First, they entered the very concentrated eyeglasses industry, which is dominated by a single firm. Second, they developed a flexible e-commerce business model that offers customers a risk-free way to try on glasses at home. Third, they make very trendy frames that can be dressed up or down, which I appreciate as a consumer who wears glasses.

What did you enjoy most about your business school? I really appreciate Olin’s collaborative culture. Team projects make up a central part of the BSBA curriculum, fostering camaraderie among students each semester. My Olin friends also played an instrumental role in preparing for case interviews, and I look forward to working with many of them moving forward.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? I’ve learned about the power of cross-functional teams through my study of business. Many Olin students also pursue majors outside of the business school, enabling them to offer unique perspectives during class discussions and in group projects.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Be humble and ask for help when you need it. Early on, some business students seem to be afraid of making mistakes. Conquering this insecurity was one of the most important lessons that I have learned in school.

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…International Affairs and Spanish! I love learning about the world around us, and there are many great professors in both of these departments at WashU.”

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? My parents inspired me to study business in college. While each of them has a different story, they both worked hard to rise from modest backgrounds to obtain important roles in their professional and personal lives. They encouraged me to study business as a complement to my liberal arts coursework, in order for me to develop a multifaceted understanding of the world.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I learned to use SQL during my time at Capital One—many thanks to my patient manager and buddy! Starting off the summer without any previous programming experience, I was anxious after hearing about my project on the fraud team; nevertheless, I welcomed the challenge. Through a combination of watching online tutorials, reading over past queries, and learning by trial-and-error, I developed proficiency in SQL and created a fraud defense that is expected to save the company more than $1 million annually.

Which classmate do you most admire? I admire Scott Solomon. We met before freshmen year started in the Model UN pre-orientation program, and our friendship has grown each year. Both of us actually started out in the College of Arts & Sciences, and we switched to Olin together after taking Management 100 with Dr. Kiousis. Scott is among the best finance students in our year, and I am confident he will excel as an investment banker. In addition to his many talents, Scott is also an extraordinary friend.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I want to thank my middle school debate teacher, Terry Eubanks, for teaching me how to be an advocate. Terry encouraged me to tackle difficult real-world questions and challenged me to appreciate different perspectives. Additionally, Terry pushed me to sift through opposing arguments by sharpening my analytical and decision-making skills.

What are the top two items on your bucket list?

  • I would love to work abroad at some point during my career.
  • I aim to increase my participation in the queer community. I am excited about the opportunities to become involved in GLAM (McKinsey’s LGBTQ+ organization) and Chicago at large!

What are your hobbies? Exploring new places, reading The Wall Street Journal, singing karaoke with friends, learning more about art (new in 2019!)

What made Andrew such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2019?

During his time at Olin, Andrew has served as an important leader, mentor, and role model in the Wash U student community. He uniquely blends strong academics, exceptional interpersonal skills, and a charming personality. Andrew served as a resident advisor for over 150 undergraduates and a teaching assistant for two courses that have served over 100 students each semester. In his role as a teaching assistant, Andrew has mentored students, trained junior TAs, and worked on course content. He has received outstanding evaluations from students (the best among my TAs).  His students and co-TAs have consistently commented that he has been a real inspiration, as he is both an exceptional leader and kind human being.  Andrew was so impressive that he was asked to lead a high-performance team of TAs to help develop course content. He has added exceptional value to the quality of these materials and to the student experience, which will benefit others moving forward. A dedicated student and loyal friend, it only takes a moment with Andrew to feel his contagious enthusiasm for life.  Andrew’s combination of intelligence, engagement, and passion has not only left a mark on the Class of 2019 but will continue to add value to people and organizations in the years to come.”

Dr. P. Konstantina Kiousis, PhD
Senior Lecturer, Strategy Area
Olin Business School
Washington University in St. Louis

 

 

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