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An ambitious goal requires an ambitious MBA program

Coming from all four corners of the world, our MBA candidates bring a unique set of experiences, which contribute to the diversity of our hand-picked cohort. Today, in the Desautels MBA blog, we interviewed Olivier Forgues (MBA’19).

A month ago, we walked into class for the first time, wide-eyed, inspired, ready to meet the challenges of this world-class MBA. In 4 short weeks, I’ve learned more than I’d dreamed.

Until recently, I’d never discounted a future cash flow, calculated a prediction interval, or done an Excel V-Lookup. To be honest, I had no clear grasp of the difference between an asset, a liability, and equity. Fortunately, our profs are not only great thinkers and sector experts – they’re fantastic educators.

With a Bachelor of Fine Arts and work experience as an arts administrator and curator, I have a unique point of view within the cohort. Beyond the classroom, the finest part of the MBA has been rubbing shoulders with a diverse, impassioned, and impressively skilled crowd – everybody’s strengths shine, and learning from one another is both gratifying and eye-opening. And as a Montrealer, I get to show off my city to people from every continent!

Upon graduation, I aim to work in management consulting – an ambitious goal requires an ambitious program to match.

It’s clearer to me as every week passes: I chose the best B-school. Beyond the practical skills, the school’s international reputation speaks for itself. The alumni network is massive, and the opportunities to leverage it have real substance. Not surprisingly, the career services team is top-shelf, delivering first-rate, solid, applicable field prep. And, as you’re about to find out, the recruitment process is outstanding.

In the coming months, we’ll be meeting industry leaders and company representatives from all sectors, and not only in Canada. In fact, the entire cohort is flying to Tokyo to meet business leaders there – how amazing is that?

The program is undoubtedly challenging, but the rewards are already tangible. As our accounting prof asked me this week: could I have understood, let alone analyzed, Merck and Pfizer’s financial statements just a month ago? I laughed - absolutely not. Yet here we are. I’m thrilled to discover what I’ll understand in another month, a year, ten years down the road.

About the author

was born in Montreal. He brings passion, innovation, and a creative mindset to the Desautels MBA.


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