I came to the Full-time MBA at Smith School of Business because ...

I chose the Smith MBA because of its team-based learning approach, Kingston’s military history and the sense of community I felt whenever I communicated with the program administration team.

Coming from an engineering background, I was excited to continue team-based work and to have the opportunity to work in a diverse group of individuals from different industries and educational backgrounds.

Growing up in a rural community in Nova Scotia and settling in Halifax after undergraduate studies, it made me realize I did not want to complete my studies in a large city. I really enjoy the slower pace and small-town feel, and I felt like Kingston was a perfect fit.

Having a sense of community in my workplace is important to me, and I was truly impressed by how personable the program administration staff were in guiding me through the application process. Given the smaller class size, it is easier to get to know people and build meaningful connections.

A piece of advice I would give myself one year ago, knowing what I know now, is to make time to see your family and friends. Given the fast-paced environment of the program, you may not have as much free time as you used to, especially if you are coming from out of the province or country. Recognize the commitment you are taking on this year and understand how that may impact your day-to-day.

A tip I recommend for an applicant is to get to know yourself and understand the intention behind your goal of pursuing an MBA. Given the nature of the program and the team-based approach, it is important to know who you are, how you deal with stress and having this self-awareness will set you up for success when you are met with difficult conversations. Finding your purpose for your MBA will help you set the tone and guide you as opportunities present themselves. You will hear many say, “Choose your own adventure”.

I was thrilled to be accepted into the Smith MBA. Coming from a technical background, I knew I wanted to complete an MBA to complement and diversify my skillset. This one-year program was the perfect balance of completing graduate studies without compromising my existing momentum in the workforce. I aspire to move into a senior leadership role in the Defence & Security Industry and I can see this as a stepping stone towards this long-term goal.

• Hometown: Sydney, Nova Scotia
• Country of Origin: Canada
• Prior Industry: Defence and Security
• Career Focus: Engineering /Technology/Other