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

I chose the Smith MBA because of its one-year format, team-based learning environment and strong marketing and sales specialization aligned closely with both my professional background and future career goals. In addition, Smith’s emphasis on close-knit cohorts fostered a sense of community that I valued when selecting an MBA program. The strong reputation of the Career Advancement Center, particularly its personalized coaching, further reinforced my decision and gave me confidence in navigating future job searches and long-term career opportunities.

I decided to pursue an MBA at this point in my career because my professional journey has been shaped by a combination of business insight and technical depth. While this foundation has allowed me to contribute meaningfully in my roles, I recognized the need to strengthen my strategic thinking and leadership to take the next step in my career. Through the Smith MBA, I am excited to refine these skills while exploring opportunities to pivot into marketing or management consulting, where I can apply both analytical rigour and creative problem-solving.

If I could give myself advice one year ago, it would be to engage more proactively with alumni and current students. These conversations not only provide valuable networking opportunities but also offer honest perspectives on the program’s culture, academic expectations and career outcomes. For prospective students, my key advice would be to stay organized throughout the application process, apply early and remain genuinely authentic both in articulating career goals and in presenting who you are as an individual. I would also highly recommend attending a showcase in Kingston to get a feel for the city and the program.

• Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
• Country of Origin: Canada
• Prior Industry: Marketing/Business Development
• Career Focus: Marketing/Other