When Andrew Osborn pursued his MBA at Portland State University, he already had strong analytical skills, the ability, as he puts it, to “know where to get the pollen and how to make the honey.” At PSU, he learned to see the bigger picture: how the whole system works and how improvements in one area can benefit the entire organization.
That perspective immediately translated into his work at the State of Oregon, where he contributed to strategic planning, program reorganization, and refining the state’s public service vision. Andrew became a trusted grants and projects manager, relied upon for his ability to see beyond the details and understand the broader impact of decisions.
PSU also gave him confidence to pursue original ideas. Around the turn of the century, when telework was still emerging, he completed an independent study examining its effect on office-bound colleagues. With faculty encouragement, the project became his capstone and cemented a lifelong belief in the value of innovative thinking.
Collaboration and Mentorship That Lasts
Equally formative were the people Andrew worked alongside. “My student team—Lin Luo, Ken Martin, and I—was one of the best I’ve ever been part of. That collaboration became a model for how I approach teamwork today,” he recalls. Faculty mentorship was equally critical. Andrew singles out Instructor Donna Philbrick for her brilliant, concise, and engaging guidance.
One project revealed a striking insight: nearly 60 percent of mergers and acquisitions fail within the first five years. That statistic didn’t just impress him, it shaped how he approached strategic decisions throughout his career, grounding abstract concepts in practical reality. The lessons of teamwork, mentorship, and observation became the foundation for his professional approach.
Adapting to Change and Inspiring the Future
Reflecting on his career journey, Andrew notes the dramatic changes in business and technology since graduation. “Comparing the business world now to when I was in school is like comparing jumping off the ground to modern flight. Yet the principles of management remain the same. PSU taught adaptability and flexibility within known standards, lessons that have guided me through every surprise along the way.”
Andrew’s advice to current students is candid and inspiring: “No matter what you think your post-college career will look like, it will not be that. Every technological breakthrough—from the steam engine to AI—was predicted to upend work, yet each just reshaped it. Your generation will be charged with reinventing work life. The ground is shifting, which can be scary, but what an exciting time to be in the mix.”
From understanding the dynamics of a single hive to leading state-level initiatives, Andrew Osborn’s PSU experience shows how strategic thinking, collaboration, and confidence in one’s ideas can shape a career, and leave a lasting impact.