Taylor Whitehouse

A decade ago I could never have imagined that I would be in an MBA program. At the time, I was following my passions for science and mathematics and was just beginning university in a Chemical Engineering program. I was very fortunate to have had a co-op term just four months after starting university and was able to secure a job working in the Continuous Improvement department at Campbell’s Soup. This was a transformative work experience for me that completely opened my eyes up to the myriad problems to solve in the business world. As a result of my time at Campbell’s, I made the decision to change majors and pursue a Business Administration degree at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Following my time at Laurier, I began my professional career on the Finance team at PepsiCo Beverages Canada, where I would spend the next five years. My time at PepsiCo was an excellent extension of my undergraduate education. Having the opportunity to work for a global Fortune 50 company that makes, moves, sells, and delivers its products straight to store shelves taught me a lot about how to manage and lead a business with scale. While my experiences at PepsiCo were great, I felt the need to pursue roles with more strategic impact.  An MBA made perfect sense to further develop myself and launch my career into its next evolution.

Deciding on an MBA program is not a decision that should be taken lightly. There are many factors that need to be considered and balanced, and each of these are unique to personal circumstances. After considering many options, it was clear that Ivey was the perfect fit for me.  The case-based method, small class size, and deep alumni network were all key factors in my decision to come here.

Now that I am here at Ivey, I could not be happier with my decision. As a class we are stretched on a daily basis — not just academically, but personally and professionally as well. I have had the opportunity to cultivate great relationships and friendships that I know I will carry with me for the rest of my life. There are also so many opportunities to get involved beyond just the classroom through clubs, student government, and more. I have been fortunate enough to take on a leadership role with The LEADER Project, a uniquely Ivey organization with a rich 30-year history that uses the case method to teach a two-week course to entrepreneurs in developing international markets. In just a few short months at Ivey I have had the chance to develop academically, professionally, and personally while finding a way to give back — and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.