Gabriel Safi

Being surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals who share the same passion is a great experience.

What did your path to graduate studies look like?

Academically, I have always been in the sciences. I studied Health Sciences at Marianopolis and then Mechanical Engineering at Concordia. Although I’m a mechanical engineer by trade, finance has been my passion for years. Outside of school and work, it was all I discussed and read about.

After a conversation with a close family member, who encouraged me to think about where I wanted to be in 10 or 20 years, I finally decided to pursue an MBA in Investment Management. Already having a stable career, I was initially reluctant to jump back in, but at the end of the day, it’s something I didn’t want to regret not doing, so I went for it.

What’s the best part of your program?

Without a doubt, the people. I originally applied to John Molson because of my passion for finance, but what has become my favorite part of the program is the staff, professors, and cohort. Being surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals who share the same passion is a great experience.

My classmates have become close friends, and professors have been extremely accommodating and supportive—they’re always willing to help and have created an environment where we can excel.

How do you balance full-time work with an MBA?

It can be incredibly challenging, but I believe it’s worth it. In my case, I travel a lot for work in different time zones, and professors are very understanding and accommodating with exams. It was an issue I brought up in my interview, and while they won’t paint a rosy picture and tell you it will be easy, they are flexible and want to see you succeed.

Any advice for current undergraduates who are considering graduate studies at Concordia?

Talk to current graduate students from the program you’re interested in. They can offer a good idea of what the program is like and if it is right for you.