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Logan Coughlin-O’Brien: Embracing the Challenge of Dalhousie’s Corporate Residency MBA Program

Logan Coughlin-O’Brien
MBA Candidate 2021
MBA Society Vice President; Culture
Dalhousie University

Logan Coughlin-O’Brien is an Employer Development Assistant at Dalhousie University.  Currently enrolled in Dalhousie’s Corporate Residency MBA Program (Class of 2021), Logan’s interest spans the fields of Investment Finance, Strategy, and Management.

In a recent virtual interview with CEGE Connection, Logan spoke about how the Corporate Residency MBA Program presented opportunities to learn, connect and engage within the world of business. Communication, teamwork, customer service, and leadership are areas that have been developed during his tenure as an MBA student.   When Logan crosses the stage this year, he is confident that he will be well-positioned for success in his chosen career path.

Logan Coughlin-O’Brien

Enrolling in the Dalhousie MBA program was a pivotal decision, guided by my undergraduate studies in linguistics, which identified that a big shift was required to prepare me to achieve my future career objectives.  At the end of my BA degree, I recognized that a Dalhousie MBA would offer a broader exploration into career choices. I was looking for professional opportunities that would engage me for the remainder of my working life, while allowing me to make a valuable contribution to society.

I once thought a career in academia would suit me.  My undergraduate experience included working within teams.  I enjoyed the camaraderie and working together to identify challenges and find solutions, which clearly suggested that being confined to an academic situation was not the best option for me.  Dalhousie’s Corporate Residency MBA Program was an excellent opening to use my prior knowledge and pivot into the world of business, while preparing for a career that would suit my personality and aspirations.

As I look forward to graduating, I can say that my MBA journey experience honed the skill sets within the business landscape.  The opportunities for employment movement are open to me.  More importantly, I know that I have chosen a career direction that will be fruitful and enjoyable.

How did I keep the balance between work, study, and life? Many times, throughout my MBA journey, the only thought running through my head was: “there’s no way I’m getting everything done.”  At the end of the day, however, progress was made, and projects were completed. I found that it was important to celebrate and reward my accomplishments.  As a strong advocate for a work-hard/play-hard mentality, I believe that there must be an equilibrium between my studies, my part-time work experience, and my social life. I learned quickly that a schedule was essential to plan relaxing downtime, while balancing my 10-20 hours workweek with a busy school program and a stimulating role on the MBA society. Of course, keeping this balance was challenging. Some weeks I opted for meeting study deadlines over social activities and other weeks, I set an assignment on the backburner to enjoy meeting up with family and friends.

Dalhousie’s Corporate Residency MBA Program integrates an 8-month residency term following the first year, which allows students to incorporate the course learnings.  With an economy impacted by Covid-19, my initial work placement had to shut down their internship program in March 2020.  While regrettable, this drawback fostered my entrepreneurial spirit.  I reached out to network, to learn new skills, and found work experience within business development and an independently led equity research group. Without question, one of the many takeaways from the MBA was the importance of enhancing my communication and networking abilities.

My next step is to obtain employment where I can bring my passion, talents, and experience to the table. My first-year financial management class ignited my curiosity and a genuine interest in deepening my understanding of financial management. Currently, I am actively seeking a position within investment finance, specifically roles that revolve around Investor Relations, Business Development, and client focused work.

Dalhousie’s Corporate Residency MBA Program came at a decisive point in my life.  I am excited to explore new challenges that are waiting for me when I receive my MBA.

 

 

 

Denise Hinds finds new perspectives and gives back to her community

Denise Hinds MBA(L) Class of 2020
Photos Provided

Posted by Erin Elaine Casey on October 21, 2020

Republished from Rowe School of Busines News October 21, 2020

Denise Hinds has big plans for her Dalhousie University Class of 2020 T-shirt. After she wears it to her online convocation on October 21, she’ll make it into a throw pillow for her couch. “That way I see it every day and it’s a perfect memory!” she says.

Hinds graduates this fall with an MBA focused on leadership. She completed her degree through Dal’s Centre for Executive and Graduate Education (CEGE), which offers blended online/in-person programs designed for working professionals.

After 29 years in the banking industry, Hinds was ready to take on a new challenge. She started at the bank while in high school, worked her way up and first applied to Dal while she was still a financial advisor in the branch. “I didn’t have the credentials to get in. I let 10 more years go by, and was now working in the head office of Scotiabank. I had my Personal Financial Planner (PFP) designation and project management designation.”

This time, Hinds was ready. She started attending Dal alumni events in Toronto. “Talking to Dal alumni made it seem possible to have a career, a family and do it all.” She applied again, was accepted and enrolled in 2015 with the intention of doing all her coursework remotely from home in Toronto. “But I did end up coming to Halifax five times,” she laughs, “which was wonderful for me. I got to experience Halifax in both summer and winter.”

“This particular program offered the best work-life balance for me, being a brand new mom with a full-time job with crazy hours,” Hinds explains. “The other selling feature was the AACSB accreditation and QS Global MBA ranking. For 2021, we’re in the top 10 for Canadian universities—Dal proud!”

“Life-changing” courses

Hinds has standout memories from every course she attended, but four in particular stand out. Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility with Dr. Kent Williams “brought out that self-awareness and really connected us to the social-ecological perspective and the UN sustainable development goals.” Leading in Complexity and Management Skills Development with Dr. James Barker were “self-reflective, deep courses that helped broaden my perspective and allowed me to grow as an individual. These courses were life-changing.”

Finally, International Business with Dr. Carolan McLarney allowed Hinds to put some of her newfound knowledge to work. “A new virtual simulation was introduced, where we could form teams and compete with one another as companies in a global market, applying real-world knowledge in operations, marketing and financials.” Among the 10 companies in the class, Hinds’s team won the in-class competition and was invited to the GLO-BUS Best-Strategy Invitational to compete against other business schools around the world. Hinds and her classmate Patrick Law represented Dalhousie in 2018 and became grand champions.

Broadening her perspective

Denise Hinds MBA(L) Class of 2020
Photos Provided

Hinds was excited to speak at the first-ever online orientation session for CEGE in August, and shared a message of resilience with the incoming graduate students: “My advice as you embark on this journey is be open to the topics, absorb as much as you can, and embrace the connections. You will discover that it is this amazing network of people that will inspire you to do more, learn more and become more.”

Today, in addition to teaching her 8-year-old son at home, Hinds volunteers for Working Skills Centre (WSC). This Toronto not-for-profit organization offers programs to help individuals overcome barriers to employment and move towards economic self-sufficiency, particularly immigrant women. She was recently elected president of the board and looks forward to growing the organization over the next few years.

“I’m probably going to seek some entrepreneurial pursuits as well,” muses Hinds. “I have a passion for facilitation, training, and teaching. My husband and I have been thinking about starting or purchasing an education-related business in the private sector.”

“The MBA program has really broadened my perspective and gotten me out of my bubble. It’s about being a global citizen and taking on that altruistic lifestyle.”

Touring Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building with Kim Brooks, Dean of the Faculty of Management

Kim Brooks
Dean, Faculty of Management
Purdy Crawford Chair in Business Law

September 1, 2020 Kim Brooks, Dean, Faculty of Management and Purdy Crawford Chair in Business Law, welcomed students to new year of academic excellence.  Dalhousie’s 2020-21 academic year has been different, with the majority of courses for Winter 2021 being offered online, with a limited number of courses with accreditation requirements, experiential learning components, or tutorial or lab components being delivered safely in-person.

Over the past months, Dean Brooks has been grateful to have heard regularly from students about their challenges and successes.  Like all of us in the Faculty of Management, we want the best possible experience for students.  Our staff and faculty have worked hard in this era to create an environment that welcomes exploration and discussion.

Dean Brooks statement on September 1, 2020, “You will be joining other like-minded individuals who share our vision of inspiring transformative solutions for society,” reflects the spirit of Dalhousie Faculty of Management’s vibrant and engaged community.

CEGE Connection invites you to join Dean Brooks on a tour of the Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building, Dalhousie University.

Duane Jones: Most Inspiring Immigrants 2021

“Artists have the power to spark joy, inspire revolutions, grow businesses, push culture forward and much more, yet most people, artists included underestimate the power of art. We want to change that.

Duane Jones, MIM (Class of 2014)

Duane Jones MIM (Class of 2014)

CEGE Connection sends our congratulations to Duane Jones (MIM Class of 2014), creative director and founder of the lifestyle brand and podcast Art Pays Me, for being named by My East Coast Experience as one of the most inspiring immigrants in the Maritime provinces for 2021.

Duane Jones (MIM Class of 2014) is a visual branding, graphic design, and information management specialist. His competitive advantage comes from a unique ability to bring together information management with the creative world of art and graphic design.

CEGE Connection reached out to Duane for his thoughts on receiving this prestigious recognition.

Duane Jones Most Inspiring Immigrants 2021

Duane Jones:

I am honoured and grateful to be added to this amazing list of people. Thank you to the person who nominated me and the friends who wrote in support of my nomination to be one of My East Coast Experience’s Most Inspiring Immigrants of 2021. Thank you to the judging panel for including me on this distinguished list of accomplished individuals who actively choose to make the Maritimes their home.

I want to give a shoutout to Bermuda, my friends, family, and the elders who laid the foundation for me.

Thank you to my parents for having high expectations of me in every aspect of life – making sure that my school uniform was always ironed and clean, encouraging me to pursue further education, keeping my brother and me busy with extra curricular activities like music sports and martial arts – but most of all making sure that through it all we became good people.

I also want to thank my wife Natasha for being there from day one of my business journey and supporting me when I need an extra push despite having a busy career of her own.

Thank you to my kids, Ava and Ella, for being my biggest inspiration. They are both a lot like me in their own unique ways and so much more talented at everything they do than I was at their ages. They remind me to keep pushing so I can give them the leg up that my parents were able to give me. I hope that by seeing their dad get acknowledged for this will inspire them as much as they inspire me.

 

 

Welcome William Lampard

The Center for Graduate and Executive Education is pleased to welcome William Lampard to our team. William is a 2nd year student in Dalhousie’s Bachelor of Commerce program.  William hales from Pennsylvania and has an interesting and diverse career background. He was a swim instructor/camp counsellor in Toronto, an assistant in an oral surgery office in Pennsylvania and volunteered as a coach for a junior varsity swim team.  William brings a strong work ethic, enthusiasm and drive to his new position.  We hope that he will gain valuable experience in a service orientated academic setting. William will be responsible for assisting with marketing and recruitment activities as well as a special program related to research and projects.

It is a difficult time for student to find work placements in the current environments. We are glad we are able to hire a co-op student this winter.   If anyone is interested in finding out more about how your organization can tap into talent, we encourage you to contact Dalhousie Management Career Services via e-mail  mcs@dal.ca to find out more.

Michelle Hunter (She/Her)
Acting Director
Centre for Executive and Graduate Education
Dalhousie University, Faculty of Management

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