Tell us about yourself.
My name is Brendan Cain and I am from Elkins, WV. Elkins is a small, rural town located in North Central West Virginia. I recently graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College with degrees in Business Administration as well as Economics. In my 4 years at Wesleyan I worked as a swim coach for the local YMCA club team. In addition to working as a swim coach, I also scored internships with Reckart Logistics Inc. and the Upshur County Development Authority. Outside of my studies I enjoy spending time outdoors participating in some of the activities West Virginia has to offer. The four hobbies I enjoy the most are fishing, snowboarding, golfing, and kayaking.
A friend of the family received his MBA from Duquesne and recommended the program to me during my search for graduate schools. After researching Duquesne and speaking with some of the faculty members I knew this was the program for me. As for the time being, I do not know exactly what I want to do post-graduation from Duquesne. One of the reasons I chose Duquesne was for the networking opportunities available to the students. My hope is that I can use these opportunities to help me post-graduation.
What is one of your favorite things to do in Pittsburgh?
My favorite thing to do in Pittsburgh is attend the sporting events. WV doesn’t have any professional sports teams so as a kid I grew up following the Steelers and the Pirates. I’ve always enjoyed visiting Pittsburgh for whatever reason. Growing up in a small town like Elkins I always enjoyed visiting a larger city and taking advantage of the things unavailable to me back home.
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for?
If I could make fishing an Olympic sport, I feel confident I’m bringing home the gold. In my 22 years here on earth I have spent a lot of time on the lakes, rivers, oceans, and inlets catching various types of fresh and saltwater fish.
What could you give a 30-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
One thing I know I could talk about for thirty minutes with no preparation is how to swing a golf club. I know I am capable of this because I once had to give an impromptu presentation in a speech class I had in high school and this was the topic I chose.
Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
The most interesting place I have been is the big island in Hawaii. Last summer my family and I visited the island of Oahu. In Oahu I swam with dolphins and sea turtles, attended a luau, did some off-roading in a jeep, hiked Volcano National Park, and ate a few too many donuts at the southernmost bakery in the United States.
What is the best way to start the day?
The best way to start the day is waking up slowly with a hot coffee or tea. This usually helps me get my mind focused and gets me ready for the day ahead.
One-Year MBA 