As someone who has been working full time over the past seven years, I found it difficult to imagine myself out of work and just dedicating my time to studying. But I always wanted to have an international experience that could help me improve my professional skills and to promote my growth both personally and professionally. That is why I decided to start my journey at Beedie School of Business studying in the FT MBA program.
Making the decision was not easy because it meant taking a pause in my life and dedicating myself to full-time studies. During my MBA journey, I realized that it was a great opportunity not just in the academic sense but also for me as a person. It has been a time to think about what I want, and where I want to be in the coming years. It also gave me the chance to remember my childhood dreams and maybe give them a chance. Before coming here, I thought I knew where I was going, but the courses I have been taking have led me to ask myself some questions and now I am reshaping my goals. Engaging in this journey has proven instrumental in broadening my perspectives and realigning my objectives.
During my search for business schools, I sought an institution whose values and culture resonated with my own, aiming to find a comfortable and aligned learning environment. I found that at Beedie and much more. When I first met my cohort and the Dean at an orientation event I realized that I was in the right place: a setting where individuals are at the forefront of the business landscape. Throughout the entire semester, I consistently experienced this sentiment in various situations: class, networking events, BC MBA Games, and panels with people from different industries.
As a professional, the courses that I have been taking have helped me to reinforce the knowledge I gained during my work journey. The networking events made me realize that there are so many interesting places where I can contribute with my professional and personal experience that I did not consider before.
The program is also consistently helping me to get out of my comfort zone. Moving to another country was the first step, then having peers from different countries, cultures, and ages were other steps towards expanding my horizon. I am almost at the mid-point of this amazing experience and I feel that the investment was worth it.
I feel fortunate to be here with all these amazing people around me, my peers, professors, and people from the Career Management Centre. Undoubtedly, this has been one of the best experiences I have had in my life, and I am looking forward to applying all that I am learning during this journey.
About the Author
Daniela Vela is an economist who graduated from Piura University in Peru and holds a master’s degree in project management from Barcelona University. She has over 7 years of professional experience in administration, finance, and elaborating socio-environmental studies. Currently, she is a full-time MBA student at SFU Beedie School of Business and is a member of the JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Council.