Alumni Spotlight: JPMorgan Vice President Juan Solis, Quinlan MBA
The Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business recently took a look at the life and career of 2008 MBA graduate Juan Solis, the current Vice President of JPMorgan Chase. A short interview touched on a few topics, including why Solis chose Quinlan, and whether he had any advice for current or prospective MBAs.
Solis loved Quinlan so much that he chose to attend the school twice—once for his MBA and and again for an MSF degree, which he earned in 2010. He was directly asked why he chose the business school, and as someone who works for JPMorgan today, his response is somewhat surprising:
“Back in 2006, I was working as a fashion designer and I decided to enroll in a graduate program that would allow me to gain a better understanding of finance and entrepreneurship so that I could sell my designs and continue doing what I loved.”
“I wanted to continue building my knowledge about fashion and entrepreneurship, and really learn all that I could about financial markets. However, after I began taking classes in the program I found that I really had a passion for finance and risk, so I decided to drop entrepreneurship and focus on those two areas.”
Solis said he was especially fond of the relationship he developed with the school’s faculty and his study abroad trip to Spain. During the two-week trip, he and his peers established European Union business strategies and met with representatives from various multinational companies.
When asked what advice he would give any current students, Solis recommended taking the time to study the curriculum and take classes that line up with your future career plans, as well as a concerted effort to diversify coursework.
“So take advantage of your time in school and push yourself to take the challenging courses because ultimately they will make you a better professional.”
From fashion to finance, Solis is just one MBA success story from the Quinlan School of Business. The school offers both full-time and part-time MBA programs as well as an Intercontinental MBA and Executive MBA programs. You can learn more about Quinlan offerings here.
About the Author
Max Pulcini
Max Pulcini is a Philadelphia-based writer and reporter. He has an affinity for Philly sports teams, Super Smash Bros. and cured meats and cheeses. Max has written for Philadelphia-based publications such as Spirit News, Philadelphia City Paper, and Billy Penn, as well as national news outlets like The Daily Beast.
