Inclusivity Inspires Confidence and a Career Shift in Toronto

With seven years of work experience in China, Nancy Lin sought a new direction abroad. She shares how the inclusive environment, curriculum, and community at the Ted Rogers MBA program at Toronto Metropolitan University inspired her to move into technology consulting.

Toronto, Canada: the Diverse, Professional Choice

Nancy chose to study in Canada due to its open and welcoming culture and thriving business sphere. Canada has one of the highest per-capita immigration rates in the world.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and its business capital. It is representative of Canada’s diversity, with nearly 47% of the city’s population born outside of the country. 

“Canada stood out to me because of its cultural diversity and professional opportunities,” Nancy says. (00:57) “Toronto is the economic heart of Canada, and it is also one of the most inclusive cities I’ve lived in… It offered the balance between career development and lifestyle that I want.” (01:45)

Deciding where to study is quite personal, Nancy says. For her, Toronto aligned best with her values and goals.

Inclusivity in Action at the Ted Rogers MBA

The Ted Rogers School of Management champions the diversity Toronto is famous for. It’s home to the Diversity Institute, a center for research and promotion of diversity as crucial for Canada’s competitiveness.

Located in the downtown center, the school welcomes international students and supports students in and outside the classroom. Nancy was surprised to find such a close-knit, supportive community. She says it helped her adjust to the MBA program and life in a new country.

“Despite being a fast-paced program, there’s a strong sense of care from the faculty, staff, and students. As an international student, that community makes a huge difference. I made friendships that last beyond graduation, up until now. And our alumni network is incredibly active.” (07:40)

 After the Ted Rogers MBA, students are part of a community for life.

“Alumni are always willing to give back. They share the journey and support current students and alumni as well. The culture of paying it forward is strong, and I think that’s what makes this program so special.” (08:10)

Nancy herself remains engaged with the Ted Rogers MBA student and alumni community through networking and various events.

A Flexible Path Toward a Career Choice

Uncertain about her career direction, Nancy used the flexibility of the Ted Rogers MBA curriculum to guide her.

The program “doesn’t force you into a stream early on,” she says. “But with that freedom comes responsibility to be intentional.” (02:57) 

Nancy engaged with her diverse cohort, entered case competitions, and took a business strategy course. These gave her a clear career direction. 

“That exposure helped me realize that I have a strong interest in solving business problems. So after more coffee chats and conversations with industry professionals, I decided to pursue consulting.” (03:16)

Subsequently, Nancy chose electives relevant to consulting and added skill-based courses in data analytics. These set her on a path towards a tech consulting role.

A Different Approach to Leadership

Ranked fifth in Canada among MBA programs, the Ted Rogers MBA focuses on leadership. However, for the Ted Rogers MBA community, leadership must be dedicated to both performance and wellbeing. That refers to ethical, socially responsible decision-making. 

This approach changed Nancy’s perspective. 

“The program helped me understand that empathy and rationality aren’t mutually exclusive. They complement each other. I used to think that leadership was about having all the right answers. But I’ve come to see it’s more about listening, being open, and creating space for others to thrive.” (06:56)

Nancy finds herself using this approach every day, listening to diverse perspectives and supporting others in her work.

From Capstone to Career

Having discovered her new career interest, Nancy pursued a Capstone Project in Management Consulting. That’s one of three Capstone Project options that Ted Rogers MBA students can choose from. The other projects include an Entrepreneurial Experience and an International or Canadian Experience.

Nancy and her team collaborated with leaders at Turo Canada to solve a real business problem. The project gave her hands-on experience conducting a consulting project from start to finish. 

“That experience still forms a key part of my consulting portfolio,” says Nancy. “It showed me that I could lead impactful projects and help bridge the gap between our academic learning and real-world consulting work.” (06:36)

The team delivered their strategic solution directly to C-suite leaders. As a result, Nancy calls the Ted Rogers MBA program “a great bridge into the Canadian workplace.” (08:49) While she was initially worried about her lack of Canadian work experience, she learned how useful her past HR work experience in China could be. She took advantage of networking opportunities in downtown Toronto.

“Through the MBA and ongoing reflection, I learned how to frame that experience, especially my work in global change management, as a very valuable asset to Canadian employers. That perspective helped me to land my current role and continues to support me in my career. My biggest takeaway is don’t undervalue your international experience, it could be exactly what makes you stand out.” (09:15)

Nancy is now thriving in a technology consulting role at BDO Canada.

Skills that Work at Work

Today, Nancy puts the skills she learned in the Ted Rogers MBA program into practice in her current role.

She reflects, “Every day now I apply critical thinking, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills. This MBA taught me how to break down complex problems, communicate clearly with clients, and stay focused on practical outcomes.” (08:32)

She landed her new role with her combination of international experience, new skills and knowledge, and her leadership approach. 

Be Open and Trust Yourself

Nancy says it’s important to have goals, but also to be open to unfamiliar experiences. That’s her advice to anyone considering an MBA.

Nancy offers some sage advice: “The MBA is a journey, not an end goal. Sometimes the most valuable growth comes from the unexpected.” (09:53)

She recommends speaking up, asking for help, and taking full ownership of your MBA journey. 

Nancy concludes by sharing, “[the program] offers a lot of opportunity, but it’s up to you to discover and take and maximize the resources that it provides. Most importantly, trust that your voice and your experience matter.” (10:08)

Nancy’s experience in the Ted Rogers MBA program at Toronto Metropolitan University gave her the confidence to move into a challenging and rewarding consulting role. The program’s inclusivity and focus on empathetic leadership, paired with real-world business skills, prepared her well.

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