The Rowe was overflowing with Poppies this week, and what a sight it was.

Most CRMBAs pinned this symbol of remembrance to their suits, blazers or jackets – showing respect, while paying tribute the soldiers who sacrificed their lives so we could live ours.

We asked members of the CRMBA community – What does Remembrance Day mean to you?

Here is what some had to say:

Dan Shaw – Director, Corporate Residency MBA

“Remembrance Day is an opportunity for us to pause and be thankful for the Canada that we have today. The freedom, democracy and quality of life that Canada offers was put in jeopardy by the WW1, WW2, Korea and other conflicts. I think about my family members who served; and the many regular people who did extraordinary things to preserve our way of life.”

Scott Comber – Assistant Professor, Corporate Residency MBA

“Technically, the 11^th day of the 11^th month was to signify and remember the end of WWI, and those that gave their lives during that war. However, wars continued and my grandfathers were sent to WWII and my father to both the Korean and Vietnam wars. This Remembrance Day I will remember those not with us, celebrate those who came home, be grateful of the privilege that I have been granted and pray for fathers and sons that continue to fight.”

Jessica Sinclair – CRMBA Candidate ‘15

“Remembrance Day is about appreciating and reflecting upon the past struggles we have faced not only as Canadians but in the international context. Many Canadians, myself included, have family members that sacrificed for the pursuit of peace and justice. Remembrance Day reminds us how important these concepts are, how easily they deteriorate and how hard they are to regain.”

Mary Eleanor Walker – Coordinator of Recruitment, CRMBA ‘13

“I am grateful on Remembrance Day, and reflect upon my memories of my grandfather whose humility prevented me from fully understanding his experience in World War II. However, I think of him very strongly on this day and am grateful for his service and the service of so many others in Canada and around the world.”

Kimberte William – CRMBA Candidate ‘14

“When I think of Remembrance Day, I think sacrifice and dedication to a cause bigger than ourselves. While I cannot relate personally to the celebration of those lives extinguished in the line of duty, I can relate to the importance of that sacrifice which allows us to maintain our freedoms. Freedoms such as the right to learn, expand our horizons and take on the world, all espoused in this MBA program.”

Kathleen Leadbeater – CRMBA Candidate ‘15

“To me, Remembrance Day is a time to remember those who sacrificed their lives while serving our country during times of war, as well as a time to recognize those who continue to serve today. It’s important to always recognize these individuals, but having a formal day of remembrance reinforces the importance of the sacrifices these individuals have made.”

Chad LeClair ­– CRMBA ‘11

“Living in our current time it can often be difficult to understand why war would ever take place. Remembrance Day reminds us that there are times when heroes are needed and when war is waged to keep our freedom and make the world a better place.”

Christina Meagher – CRMBA Candidate ‘15

“So growing up, my grandfather told me stories of his time serving in the Navy, and how his uncle nearly died in World War II. To me, Remembrance Day is about recognizing all that they, and others, have sacrificed, and it’s a reminder that Canadians are still out there fighting for peace.”

Kevin Bernard – CRMBA Candidate ‘14

“My grandpa is a WWII vet. He came back from the war and had six kids that turned into fifteen grandkids. Every year on Remembrance Day, I call him to thank him for his service because without it, I wouldn’t be here. He has trouble remembering now because of Alzheimer’s, but I still called Monday to thank him.”

A cornerstone of Dalhousie’s CRMBA program is the diversity of backgrounds, disciplines and perspectives that add to the richness of the culture we so proudly immerse ourselves in.

Remembrance Day reminds us all how fortunate we really are.

Otis Smith was born and raised in Bathurst, NB. He started Dal as a Commerce student, graduating with a BA in Political Science. After his undergrad, Otis moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, and worked in the finance department of a law firm for eight months. He then continued his travels in the UK, ending up in Cambridge, England, to work for the summer as an event coordinator for a study holiday company. Otis then taught English in South Korea before finally returning to Canada. Apart from travelling, Otis is an avid sports fan, especially football (Minnesota Vikings). He has also been involved in music his whole life.

What made you decide to do a combined MBA/JD degree at Dalhousie?

One of Dal’s competitive advantages lies in the integrated JD/MBA program. The law school is well known across the country and the new corporate residency MBA is gaining awareness thanks to an innovative and practical approach to the study of business.

I’ve never been an excellent student, which is why it was important for me to differentiate myself from my peers, who may perform better academically. The integrated program offers someone like me the opportunity to be recognized as a top candidate because of the added skills I will bring to prospective employers. If I chose to practice corporate law I would not need further training to be able to read a client’s financial statements or to understand the business jargon. If I chose the business side, then I have an advantage in the way the study of law teaches you to strategically work through problems and synthesize large amounts of data.

Where did you do your residency and with whom?

I did my residency here in Halifax with Deloitte’s strategy and operations consulting division.

What was the greatest takeaway from your residency?

It was the realization that even when you have a job, you have to work to get work. No one is going to hold your hand and make sure you’re doing your work well. It is up to you to actively seek out projects and ensure you produce high quality of results/deliverables. This will prove your worth and lead to more challenging work. More challenging work will lead to working with senior people and working with senior people will help you advance in the organization.

What skills are required in your degrees on a day-to-day basis? 

Problem solving and reading comprehension are very important. The MBA helped me to become more agile in my approach to solving problems. Law has greatly improved my ability to actually get to the point of whatever I’m reading.

What parts of the combined degree do you find most challenging? 

The transition from MBA evaluation to law school evaluation can be challenging. The MBA is progressive and keeps you continuously thinking and working at problems through assignments, presentation, etc. Most law school classes have final exams worth 100%, meaning that you don’t get the opportunity to track your progress. It is a much more self-directed approach to learning.

How has the MBA helped you to develop as a leader?

It has given me confidence in what I’m talking about though the knowledge I’ve gained, and it has helped develop the way I deliver what I’m saying through presentations. It has also helped me with my approach to team work and enhanced my ability to interact with different personalities.

What are some important personal qualities for someone doing the combined degree?

Be determined and open-minded – they are very different approaches to learning and you have to understand there will be a learning curve. Key into your weaknesses and work to improve them.

Have you learned a lot from other students in your program? If so, what have they taught you?

I definitely got more out of my MBA cohort. Align yourself with people who excel at what you find difficult and ask for help. Its good practice for them to teach you and you’ll benefit from the extra tutelage. Law school is slightly more competitive, but the same principles apply. People just may not be as forthcoming with help.

What advice do you have for prospective students thinking about entering the JD/MBA program?

Make sure it’s something you’re serious about. It’s a lot of money to drop on a hunch.

Dalhousie’s MBA program is well known for its innovative curriculum. Does anything specific come to mind that you would like to speak to?

The integrative weekend was great and made you think strategically on a Saturday night… which is somewhat uncommon for most people.

Finally, make sure you take advantage of the networking opportunities. When I’ve been at the market/out for drinks/getting coffee I’ve run into business professionals I’ve met at these things and they can really help establish relationships and build your network.

 

 

 

Paired for their common interest in project management, Bruce F. Evans and Beth Whitfield are an example of long-distance success with the Dalhousie Mentorship Program.

Bruce F. Evans, Mentor

Bruce earned both a Master’s of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University. With over 30 years’ experience in the commercial real estate finance industry, he is the Executive Vice President at Lucent Capital in California. Day-to-day he is engaged in transaction sourcing, structuring and execution of debt and equity financing. A native of Atlantic Canada, Mr. Evans has developed a strong network in the Halifax business community. Interested in helping young professionals in their career development, this is Bruce’s third year with the mentorship program where he was paired with Beth Whitfield.

Beth Whitfield, Young Professional

Dynamic, committed and goal-oriented, Beth is in her first year of Dalhousie University’s Corporate Residency MBA program. Her interest in project management and motivating others has led her to accept an internship at Rogers Communications. With a background in biology, Beth has found the mentorship program a wonderful opportunity to learn about the subtleties of business and obtain candid career advice.

 

Rebecca Rebello interviewed Bruce and Beth:

Q: Bruce, how would you describe your time at Dalhousie University and what have you been doing since you graduated?

Bruce: During my time at Dalhousie I was pretty active in student life, especially in student politics. In my career, I’ve been fortunate to be able to work for several international organizations. Through my work I’ve opened and grown the commercial real estate financing units for Credit Lyonnais and Macquarie Bank Limited.

Q: Beth, tell us about your time at Dalhousie, the degree you are taking and when you are graduating.

Beth: I started in the MBA program in July and plan on graduating in 2014. Ifinished a degree in honours biology and then went straight into my MBA two months later. It’s been challenging and exciting.

Q: Bruce, you were an alumni mentor in the mentoring program this year with the Rowe School of Business. Tell me about your experience with the program.

Bruce: It has been a very positive experience. I’ve had three victims so far and learned that the mentor gains almost as much from the relationship. It’s a great program because you are put together with people with limited experience. I’ve found that later in your career you can get stuck in your ways. This program offers mentors the ability to interact with a younger energy, a different framework and different perspective. Mentors can learn a lot.

Q: Beth, what was your experience like?

Beth: I wasn’t sure what to expect and I was a little nervous. I come from a background in science, as does most of my family. This was my first time connecting with someone in the business world. It was great to talk to someone on the other side of their career, someone with an outside perspective and an understanding of business. There’s so much to know when you get started.

Q: Bruce, you’re in Los Angeles while Beth is in Halifax. How did you ‘meet’?

Bruce: We met once or twice a month via phone. We also e-mailed back and forth.

Beth: Yes, I’ve talked with Bruce on the phone and sent him more e-mails than I can count. I’ll get to meet him in December when he’s coming to Halifax. This is very exciting.

Q: Bruce, in which areas were you able to provide support to your student mentee?

Bruce: I see myself not as someone who says, ‘do this, do that’, but as someone who gives gentle direction, some assistance. I’ve mostly been able to provide support through networking suggestions. I’ve helped her with quite a few names of people she should get out and see. We’ve also had some discussions on strategy and tactics for interviews.

Beth: From a career perspective I’ve expanded my network to people I would never have otherwise had the opportunity to speak with. Bruce can’t be here, but he has introduced me to many of his connections. It’s good that I have someone I can go back to and get advice, especially for my first real corporate job. I can discuss ideas and strategy with him.

Q: What have you learned?

Bruce: Beth is an absolute hoot. This is really a reciprocal relationship that builds a bridge across two generations. It allows for different concepts and ideas. I’m towards the end of my career – it helps me keep in touch with different attitudes and fields of study. It’s allowed me to be in contact with great people and it’s nice to help other people.

Beth: The biggest thing for me was the support I had. I had someone there who believed that I had a good head on my shoulders and believed that I could do it, someone who listened to all the silly little questions I had.

Q: Any thoughts that you would like to leave us with?

Beth: Getting connected with the alumni of Dalhousie is something you might not be able to do at other schools. I’ve been able to connect more than I ever thought I would. This program has defined my experience with Dalhousie. It’s an added bonus that I’ve been able to leverage and make the most of. I’m very happy I have such a great mentor.

Bruce: This is a great program. It’s work on both sides and people really get out of it what they put in. Enjoyed the heck out of it. It gets the Dalhousie spirit a little more out front and a little more buoyant. It allows students and alumni the opportunity to make connections that will last a long time. Whether it’s the excitement of Tigers Football (Bruce is an original Founders Club member) or the quieter aspects of school spirit, it gets people geared up for Dal.

Q: Beth, what was the best piece of advice your mentor had for you?

Beth: “Be polite, listen a lot, but keep your eye on the prize. My gut tells me you’ll do great.” I know I’ve made a friend, even though we have yet to meet in person.

 

Since this piece was written, Bruce and Beth met in Halifax and tell me it was a great treat. Theirs is just one of the stories that make the Dalhousie Mentorship Program a success.