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“The SFU MBA program provided me with the skill sets, business knowledge, and overall confidence to be able to explore and be successful in other industries, jobs, and professions that I never would have been able to explore prior to the program.”

What three words best describe your SFU MBA experience?

Challenging, Engaging, Commitment

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA and what drew you to the SFU Beedie School of Business?

I first began considering an MBA while working as an archaeologist in Northeast British Columbia at a highly volatile time in the market and in a job that I was not particularly happy with. While looking to exit the archaeological industry, I realized that I needed to broaden my overall business knowledge and skill sets, as I found my previous education, which was highly specific, did not provide skills that were transferable to other positions that I was interested in. In other words, I found myself limited to a single occupation/career path. I realized I needed generalist business skills that were well rounded and holistic in nature, and with this in mind, I was immediately drawn to the MBA program at the SFU Beedie School of Business. It was a program designed for individuals like myself, who came from non-business backgrounds, and who were looking for a business education that touched on every aspect required to have strong foundational skills and competencies in business.

How did the SFU MBA program transform your career journey?

In short, the SFU MBA program opened up doors to me that had always been closed. I felt stuck in one industry and career path, and the SFU MBA program provided me with the skill sets, business knowledge, and overall confidence to be able to explore and be successful in other industries, jobs, and professions that I never would have been able to explore prior to the program.

What advice would you give to your past self if you were just starting your MBA?

The biggest piece of advice I would give to my past self just starting the program is don't over prepare for it - go into the program, classes, assignments, exams with an excellent understanding of the requirements and knowledge required, but leave room for flexibility and adaptability. Specifically as it relates to assignments, projects, and exams, I wish I had left more room for flexible, critical thinking, and utilized my problem solving skills more, as I frequently found out that not everything fell into strict examples, templates, or rubrics.

What is your favorite place near the downtown Segal campus?

I'm a runner and for me my absolute favourite thing to do near the downtown Segal campus was run along the Seawall around Stanley Park and False Creek. I don't live in Vancouver or near the ocean anymore, and it is the biggest thing I miss about living there.

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