Alex Marshall
Program / Grad Year: MBA with Co-op 2010
Previous Education: BA Political Science and History, WLU
Employment prior to the Laurier MBA: Instructional Assistant, WLU Political Science Department
Current Employment: Customer Insight Analyst, Research in Motion
Coop Work Term Employer: Research Analyst, nGenera Insight and Customer Information Analyst, RIM
How has the Laurier MBA help your career?
The Laurier MBA gave me the opportunity to learn a skill set that was directly transferable to my co-op work terms. Prior to starting my MBA, my business background was limited, although I always felt that the analytical skills learned in my B.A. could be transferable to the business world if given the right opportunity. By teaching me the skills to succeed in an Analyst role for an industry-leading corporation, I was able to secure a full-time offer upon graduation. Thanks to the Laurier MBA, and in particular the co-op experience, I’ve now launched an exciting new career that I never would have envisioned prior to starting the program.
What opportunities has your MBA degree provided?
Aside from learning the crucial business skills that I would have expected from any MBA program, the real value of my Laurier MBA was derived from the co-op program. During the co-op terms, my employers approached me as if I was a full-time employee and had high expectations and challenging projects waiting for me from day one. While the in-class experience at Laurier was great, I can’t speak highly enough about the value I derived from the co-op program, particularly given that it was these unique opportunities where I learned a transferable skill set that ultimately landed me in a full-time position upon graduation.
What did you like most about your Laurier experience?
The most enjoyable aspect of my experience came from building a network of intelligent and ambitious colleagues, both during my academic and co-op work terms. Broader experiences, such as attending Canada’s MBA Games, working on a not-for-profit project in New Orleans and attending professional conferences, among others, greatly enriched my experience. The opportunity to network and expand my horizons provided excellent learning value that extended well beyond the classroom.
What are your career aspirations?
My career aspirations are to become an expert in the Consumer Insight Industry, with a particular focus on the exciting new developments in social media and mobile technology. While I plan on staying within and learning as much from large corporations for the foreseeable future, down the road I ultimately plan on launching my own consulting business.