It’s hard to believe that my fellow members of the class of 2018 and I have already finished our degree. It feels like just yesterday that I was meeting them all for the first time, unaware of the challenges that we would be overcoming and just how close we would become over the next 22 months. With April quickly coming to an end, and exams finished, we sat down with two members of the class of 2018 to discuss their post-graduation plans.
What are your plans after our graduation?
Priyanka: I’m excited to have accepted a position with Scotiabank US Corporate Banking in Houston, Texas. Beginning in July, I will be working with a team to perform credit analytics on their portfolio specializing in Oil and Gas.
Alison: I will move to Copenhagen in September to join Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company. I have been selected as a Global Marketing Graduate, and as such, I will partake in a two-year program, with three international 8-month rotations.
What are you most excited for in your new role?
Priyanka: I am excited to learn more about corporate lending and about the oil & gas industry. I think both banking and the oil & gas industries are at a pivotal point where they need to make major changes to stay relevant. I am excited to be a part of the action and see how both industries evolve in the next decade.
Alison: I am really excited to start my career, expand my network, and grow both personally and professionally. I am also excited about the opportunity to work abroad, and gain international experience.
How did the Dalhousie Corporate Residency MBA help you get to this point?
Priyanka: Two years ago, I was selling laser eye surgery part-time and felt very ‘stuck’. The CRMBA opened doors to major opportunities and taught me the tools to recognize and capitalize on them. Specifically, it helped put me on the path towards my corporate residency at Scotiabank in Toronto. There, using the skills I learned from the program, I worked hard and networked to ultimately be considered for a more focused position in Houston.
Alison: I had a keen interest in the pharmaceutical industry, and I believe having the opportunity to work for Novartis for my corporate residency was very beneficial in applying for this position. This experience allowed me to gain broad industry exposure and insights on different functional disciplines; ultimately confirming my interest in this industry. The marketing courses in my MBA helped solidify the fact that I wanted to pursue a marketing focus, and taking courses such as International Business and Intercultural and International Management helped prepare me to think globally and for working abroad.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Priyanka: This is such a hard question! I fully expect to remain in banking in the next five years. I used to think banking was boring, but now I realize it is a great way to gain interesting, relevant, and diverse business experience. I would like to remain working in Capital Markets and test out Debt Capital Markets or Equity Capital Markets. I would be happy to be in Houston, New York, Calgary, Toronto, or Halifax, and am open opportunities wherever they may come up.
Alison: In 5 years I see myself working in Europe, within the pharmaceutical industry. I hope have taken on increasingly challenging roles, and to be leading a dynamic and motivated team.
Congratulations to all of the class of 2018, and best of luck in your future endeavors!
Learn more about Dalhousie’s MBA programs, and the benefits of a corporate residency.