Learning from other students
One of the best way to learn what an MBA is like before you start class is to speak with current and past students in the program. Recently we sat down with two outstanding students in Rotman’s Evening MBA to ask them about their experiences. Both Casey Yang and Nastassia Bukina are recipients of Forte Fellowship, part of the one million dollars in entrance awards available to Rotman Morning & Evening MBA students.
Casey Yang is a finance professional currently working in capital markets. “I came to Rotman to meet different people with different backgrounds,” she explained. “All my classmates are at the top of their own fields and are all great students and professionals.”
I believe that if you have an open mind you can walk away with a lot more than what you bargained for.
“It’s been almost four years since I finished my undergraduate degree in Engineering,” said Nastassia Bukina, who works in project management tackling complex problems. “I felt like I had a gap in strategic thinking and leadership. We all come into the program with different objectives. I believe that if you have an open mind you can walk away with a lot more than what you bargained for.”
Time management
Classes for the Morning and Evening MBA programs take place over 32 months, twice a week. Morning students attend class from 7:00 – 8:59 am, and Evening students from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. This schedule helps busy professionals fit a degree in around their work and personal lives. “We all have a career, we all have to take time off to come here to study, and most of us also have a family. It sometimes becomes a little bit difficult to balance all of those things,” Casey pointed out. “But it is a very excellent experience because it brings you a lot of opportunities and experience that it’s not very possible to have outside of Rotman.”
I’m currently helping to transform a department so a lot of the concepts we learned in class were extremely relevant!
When we spoke to Casey and Nastassia they were at the tail end of an intensive week where they complete 1-2 courses quickly. “We just completed a course on Leading People in Organizations,” Nastassia said. “It’s all about leadership, teams, and motivation. I’m currently helping to transform a department so a lot of the concepts we learned in class were extremely relevant!”
Developing relationships
One of the benefits of the intensive week is that students can learn a great deal in a short period of time, but there are other benefits, too. Casey was quick to point out the relationships she could develop. “I would say the beauty of the intensive week is you spend more than eight hours a day with your classmates. You really get to know them, not just say hi every day and go back home. You talk to them about their background and exchange ideas.”
The diverse backgrounds of her classmates was key for Casey. “My classmates here majored in engineering, majoring in health science, in law. They can provide a lot of ideas I had never thought of, which is pretty amazing to me.”
This program is very rewarding once you get started.
Both women recommended talking to current or past students to get a feel for the program. “I think if someone is interested, I would encourage them to take a more hands-on approach,” Nastassia said. “Talk to admissions, go to coffee chats, attend an actual class, and talk to current students and alumni.”
Casey’s advice for people thinking about applying was to think about the future. “This program is very rewarding once you get started.”
Speak to a member of our admissions team one-on-one to receive personalized help with your application, or attend an upcoming admissions event.