Bachelors Degree
Business Administration
Pre-MBA employment industry:
Technology
Why did you decide to do an MBA?
I decided to pursue an MBA after about seven years working in technology and management consulting in Southeast Asia. In that time I learned a lot about how businesses grow, but I also became more aware of the limits of my own experience, most of it shaped by one region and one way of solving problems. Ivey's case method appealed to me for exactly that reason. Every class is a real business decision, discussed with classmates from very different industries and countries, and you quickly find out which of your instincts hold up and which ones are just habit.
For me the decision was never simply to pursue an MBA, it was to pursue it at Ivey. What I value most is the combination of a global perspective, friendships formed through case discussions and group assignments, and an alumni network that opens doors well beyond graduation. Together they give me a stronger foundation for the next stage of my career.
What is the most significant thing you've learned at Ivey?
The Ivey case method requires students to identify problems and break them down effectively. At the same time, it encourages everyone to share their own perspective and ask the questions a manager would ask when a business is standing at a crossroads. As a result, I believe we are trained to develop an analytical mindset when approaching a business problem, and from there to apply functional knowledge such as finance, accounting, or marketing to support decisions at a management level. Learning to present a point of view and challenge others constructively is also a unique strength that I think few educational environments can offer.
What's been the most surprising aspect of the Ivey MBA journey to date?
Friendship and alumni network. Ivey brings together people from all over the world, and what surprised me is how much we turn out to have in common, similar working backgrounds, shared career goals, the same sports, even the same places on our travel lists. The one-year format sounds short, but the intensity is what pulls everyone closer. The alumni network has that same close-knit character, so, surprisingly, no one is ever too far to reach for a coffee chat, even someone who graduated ten years ago.
Ivey in one word or a few words: Please share what your Ivey experience is to you!
Accelerated.
