International MBA student shares his unique journey in the IMBA Program

Franklin G. “Trey” Shuler III is not your typical International MBA student. Before enrolling in the program, he proudly served close to eight years of active duty in the U.S. Army, specifically commanding a 130-soldier infantry company in Hawaii, traveling extensively across Europe and Asia, and transitioning to the South Carolina Army National Guard as a pilot.

Despite his impressive resume in the army, he opted to pivot to a career in finance. Shuler will complete his IMBA program and the Business Analytics Graduate Certificate in May 2025.

“My experiences in the Army have translated well to business school,” he says. “The willingness to ensure the work is completed correctly and on time is important no matter the organization.”

Shuler’s unique blend of military discipline and academic ambition has been pertinent in his approaches to coursework within his program. Focusing on building technical knowledge and expanding his professional network, he credits the finance faculty at the Moore School with impressing him, particularly through courses like FINA 772: Student Managed Investments. He actively participates in school-sponsored events and panels to connect with industry professionals and successful alumni.

“Every project I was part of in the Army was a team project, and that’s very much the environment here in the IMBA program,” he says. “The Moore School has a strong reputation, and I’ve made a deliberate effort to attend school-sponsored events in Charlotte, industry panels, Finance Friday and others to meet practitioners and alumni.”

Networking has been vital in Shuler's experience. He even noted that his decision to pursue the IMBA was through networking with a friend from the National Guard, Kevin Joyce, who successfully completed the IMBA program while also serving military duty.

Inspired by Joyce’s experience, Shuler recognized that an IMBA degree would be essential as he transitioned from military service to corporate America. He chose the Moore School not only for its strong reputation but also for its commitment to accommodating his National Guard obligations.

“I ultimately chose the IMBA program because of its reputation and its willingness to support my duty in the National Guard, he says. “So, when I finished up my flight school and followed with Apache upgrade training for the National Guard, I knew that getting an IMBA was the next logical step. Plus, I had seen [Joyce] be successful in the program while managing the requirements of the National Guard.”

Committing to pursuing his IMBA and serving in the military, he acknowledged the hardships of balancing school, work and family life. Shuler, a dedicated husband and father of two, emphasizes the importance of communication and time management.

“I’ve had to be deliberate in my time management,” he says. “I make sure my wife understands what’s going on in my classes and also communicate with my National Guard unit to keep them informed about my schedule.”

Looking ahead, Shuler envisions a career in banking or finance, combining his newfound IMBA skills with his leadership experience from the military. In five to ten years, he hopes to grow within a financial institution while continuing to serve in the National Guard.

“Both roles are relevant and meaningful, and they help me stay fulfilled professionally,” he says.

As Shuler prepares for a future that blends leadership and finance, he offers advice to any veterans interested in pursuing their graduate careers.

“Leverage your unique experiences: a lot of veterans gravitate toward operations or supply chain roles, but don’t bypass other programs,” he says. “I’ve always had an interest in finance. Tracking finance now adds another tangible skillset that I can use in my career.”

-Christian Osborne