Full-time MBA student Jas Baweja joined the Smith School of Business MBA to boost his corporate communications career by bridging his knowledge gap. He shares how he’s finding success in his studies.
An MBA can be invaluable for anyone who wants to manage their career proactively. Coming from corporate communications, Jas Baweja could see how an advanced business education would help him get ahead. His role focused on public relations, media relations, and crisis communications. However, he wanted to expand his marketing knowledge in order to be able to combine marketing know-how with his existing skills in his future work.
Jas explains, “I find that the world of corporate communications is kind of a two-sided coin between the reactive public relations and the proactive marketing, advertising, and sales. I found that I was really, really good at one of those two things, but I didn’t know a ton about the other. I felt that the MBA would help me fill the gap… so that once I graduate, I’m more of a well-rounded communicator.” (00:20)
This realization led him to pursue an MBA to enhance his skills and career prospects. He was accepted to several programs, but because of the exceptional recruitment experience, he’s now a full-time MBA student at the Smith School of Business.
“A really smart person once told me a long time ago the way that they treat you in the interview process is going to be really indicative of how they treat you once you start working there. The recruitment team at Smith was incredible. They just provided by far the best application and recruitment experience,” he says. (01:31)
In the end, the personalized application process and welcoming recruitment experience, as well as Smith School of Business’s excellent reputation made it the right school for Jas.
Having the option to choose between several MBA programs is an enviable position. Thankfully, Jas has shared his secret to application success: highlighting personal wins.
Jas advises potential MBA applicants, “We’ve all got wins. We’ve all got things that we’re really, really proud of, but for some reason, we don’t talk about them very much. We believe that they’re just not a big deal… but all of the schools that accepted me, wanted to know about those wins.” (02:23)
During his application process, he was encouraged to reflect on his achievements. Earning a black belt in martial arts became a significant conversation piece during his interviews, showcasing his dedication and perseverance.
Jas advises prospective MBA students to reflect on their wins and highlight them in their applications. “You know how hard you had to work to achieve those wins, and they’re things you should be incredibly proud of,” he emphasizes. (03:24)
Sharing an achievement will boost your confidence in interviews and build a compelling personal narrative.
Smith’s emphasis on team-based learning and its diverse cohorts were particularly appealing to Jas. The school’s commitment to practical, team-oriented education prepares students for the complexities of the modern business environment, where success hinges on collaboration.
Although the cohort itself is made up of around 80 people, the class is divided into groups of seven students. Students work with their team for the first six months, allowing students to build closer connections and learn from each other. There are also plenty of other team projects.
Jas explains, “Those teams are really, really diverse, so if there’s ever something that you’re not good at, there’s someone else on the team who is good at that thing, and they’re more than happy to help. That’s been a real advantage of the team-based environment, to have support on subject areas that don’t come naturally to me.” (04:17)
He’s also found that presenting as a team keeps his communication skills sharp in the year he’s a student. This way, he has been able to continue honing his communication skills while studying.
According to Jas, successful MBA students must know how to balance the various aspects of their lives.
Jas shares, “When I started this program, one of the big pieces of advice that people gave me was to prioritize the things that are important to you and make sure you’re hitting your non-negotiables. For me, I wanted to get involved. I wanted to focus on my education. I wanted to focus on my teamwork. I wanted to get my workouts in as well.” (08:10)
With a balanced approach, students manage their academic workload while engaging in extracurricular activities that enrich their study experience. For Jas, being Student Executive Council President has greatly enriches his experience at Smith, as he values the opportunity to connect with his peers.
“When you’re in a position as part of a team where you’re supporting the entire cohort, you get to really communicate with people on an individual level…its definitely enhanced my experience and allowed me to build those interpersonal connections with everyone in the cohort, that I might not have gotten to otherwise,” he says. (07:37)
Looking ahead, Jas aims to transition into a managerial role in corporate communications, focusing more on marketing in the private sector. He is passionate about giving back to the community and supporting causes like the ALS Society of British Columbia, which played a pivotal role in his early career. Jas has no doubt that the skills, competencies, and knowledge that he gains during the Full-time MBA at the Smith School of Business will aid him in filling his knowledge gaps and further elevating his career.
Discover more about the the Smith School of Business, Queen’s University, and contact one of their student ambassadors to learn more what it is like to study at Smith.
