For those who’ve spent years learning on the job, returning to school can widen their career focus. This is especially true for those who got their education in a different discipline. Learn more about Judy Stephenson’s MBA experience at the Smith School of Business and how it impacted her career.
Judy Stephenson majored in media studies during her undergrad but landed a finance job in advertising after graduating. While rewarding, the work felt far removed from her academic background.
After six years of valuable work experience in the finance sector, Judy was ready to accelerate her career further. She realized that without a business-related degree, she’d miss out on long-term career growth opportunities.
“I was conscious that at some point in time, if I continued down that path, I would most likely hit a ceiling,” Judy explains. (00:29)
Passionate about personal growth and career advancement, Judy chose to continue her education with an MBA. Earning an MBA is a structured way to gain critical business skills, from financial management to strategic planning. According to GMAC, most MBA students get a promotion and increased income after graduation.
In her search for a program, she found many compelling reasons to choose the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada.
Firstly, the one-year length of the Full-Time MBA appealed to her. This meant that she’d only be out of the workforce for a brief time. Additionally, the team-based element of the program mirrored real office conditions, where collaboration is key. Ultimately, it was the way the admission team treated her that made Smith the right choice.
“Throughout the application process, it became really clear to me how much this program sees students as people. Whereas in some of my other application processes, I sort of found myself feeling like a bit of a number.” (01:50)
Before joining Smith, Judy met with current students to hear about their experiences. She found an environment that would help her make an impact in business.
Despite her finance experience, Judy was initially apprehensive about subjects like accounting. However, the exceptional professors quickly allayed her fears and made learning business fundamentals approachable.
“Len Anderson is perhaps the best professor I’ve ever had,” she shares, “and Financial Accounting turned out to be probably my favorite course to date.” (02:30)
She appreciated how the course made clear connections between theoretical concepts and real-world applications. In particular, understanding how financial statements can impact managerial decisions is a skill she’s glad to have.
As a whole, the courses have broadened Judy’s outlook on where her career can take her.
“Coming from a finance function, there definitely has been a lot of learning in terms of just how broad those functions really are and can be.” (07:40)
This broad exposure has been eye-opening for her, helping her understand the diverse applications of finance across different industries.
Though the Smith MBA has the option for students to specialize, Judy doesn’t feel a specialization would suit her interests. She plans to take a range of courses in strategy, accounting, and digital business.
“I’ve looked at this program as an opportunity both to improve my skills, remove barriers, but also to explore other options, other industries, other functions, and really see where my interests lie.” (08:49)
Instead of focusing narrowly, many of Judy’s courses have a managerial focus and support her development as an adaptable leader.
“In my last role, I had the opportunity to manage a team,” Judy shares. “For me, that was probably the most meaningful work I’ve had the opportunity to do. I really loved taking on that responsibility and not just working on a work product…but actually making connections with people and supporting someone else’s growth.” (09:41)
Judy hasn’t waited to graduate before stepping into a leadership role. As a Forte Fellow and president of the Women in Leadership Club, she has been instrumental in fostering a supportive community for female MBA students.
“A part of that fellowship is really about advocating for women in MBA programs, and for women in business. I’ve taken that call to action seriously,” she says. (05:50)
The Women in Leadership Club organizes various initiatives throughout the academic year. They host discussion forums for women in the class. They also invite accomplished women leaders as guest speakers. Recently, the club partnered with a local nonprofit called the All Women’s Entrepreneurship Circuit to run markets at Goods Hall. They invited local women-owned small businesses to sell their goods at the market and network with the community.
The club plans to continue expanding their initiatives in the future. They are looking into organizing Lunch & Learn events with the All Women’s Entrepreneurship Circuit. They also hope to organize networking opportunities with female MBA alumni in the near future.
Judy’s support from the Smith School of Business has been invaluable. “The director of our program, Kerri [Regan], has been unbelievably supportive in terms of these initiatives. From the start of my time at Smith, her door has been open to talk about these issues and how we might recruit more women.” (06:42)
For those like Judy, who started in one field and ended up in another, an MBA can provide many necessary skills and experiences. An MBA can help to accelerate an MBA candidate’s career, widen their career focus, and help them access new career opportunities. MBA graduates become well-prepared for the next stage of their career trajectory.
Despite the program’s intensity, Judy has found the MBA experience invigorating and transformative. Through the rigorous academics, many leadership opportunities, and supportive community found at Smith, she is well on her way to achieving her goals.
Reach out to a student ambassador to learn more about their experiences at Smith School of Business.
