Lessons in growth, grit and leadership

When Aaron Draper graduated from Central Michigan University in 2007, he thought he’d go into finance. But partway through his senior year, he realized something wasn’t right.

“I was doing an internship with Northwestern Mutual during my senior year at CMU. While the company and people were great, it just didn’t feel like a good fit for me,” he said. “I was asking people to trust a 21-year-old with their financial future, and I felt like, ‘No, I’m not your guy for this.’”

That instinct led him to explore something entirely new: the military.

“By March I was talking to recruiters – by June, I was shipping out,” Draper said. “At the time, it was about doing the opposite of everything I had known. I had lived in Central Michigan my whole life, and I wanted to do something different. I didn’t know it would become a career, but I knew I needed to try something new.”

Today, Draper is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army and the incoming Comptroller for a two-star headquarters in Hawaii – a role responsible for overseeing budgets, financial operations, and resource planning at an operational and strategic level. It’s a position that requires trust, precision, and the ability to lead teams through complex decision-making.

He’s built his career on curiosity, adaptability, and an evolving sense of what leadership means.

Learning doesn’t stop after graduation

While Draper credits CMU with helping him develop his critical thinking and communication skills, he emphasized that much of his learning happened after college.

“No matter what you do, those two things – critical thinking and communication – are incredibly valuable,” he said. “Even when I wasn’t the expert, I could contribute by thinking through problems, helping make decisions, and working hard. People want to work with someone who adds value – even if you’re not the technical expert yet.”

He’s also quick to remind early-career professionals that growth doesn’t come from coasting. “Take chances. Get out of your comfort zone. You learn so much more from trying and failing than you do from playing it safe.”

You don’t have to start as a leader – you can grow into one

As a student, Draper found his footing through involvement in Greek life, the Finance Club, and even intramural sports. All of it, he said, helped him build confidence – something that would matter later, when he had to speak up in rooms full of people with decades more experience.

“Those early experiences helped shape that mindset,” he said. “In my first Army job, I had to challenge people with 20+ years of experience.”

Over time, his view of leadership evolved. “Legally and ethically, I’ve always tried to make the right decision – but where I’ve really grown is in empathy,” he said. “I think more now about how decisions impact people. Just because a policy saves money doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for morale or team culture.”

He’s especially drawn to mentorship these days. “I’ve had jobs where I’m trusted to get things done, and I’m proud of that. I love being part of a team working toward a big goal. And I’m starting to feel more drawn toward mentorship. I’d love to help others find their path – that’s something I’m excited about as I get older.”

Final thoughts from a lifetime of learning

Draper has lived and worked around the world – Egypt, Iraq, Germany – and moved through new roles every two to three years. He’s learned how to adapt, ask questions, and stay open to new perspectives.

His advice for students and young professionals is simple: Don’t let fear of failure stop you from moving forward.

“Just get out there,” he said. “If you’re doing great work, people will want you on their team.”