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Blog post

My life changing experience through the John Molson MBA

Graduate Perspectives series
August 13, 2024
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By Khalil Guliwala

Source: John Molson School of Business

Graduate Perspectives is a series of blogposts about the John Molson School of Business graduate programs experience from the perspective of current students and alumni.

Khalil Guliwala, MBA'23, tells us about the support, confidence building and transformative experience the John Molson MBA can offer.

What were you doing before the MBA and what made you want to pursue one?

Khalil Guliwala, MBA '23

I spent 10 years as a fundraiser in the Canadian non-profit sector. I had the privilege to work with some of Canada’s top corporations, foundations, government bodies, and high net-worth individuals to invest millions of dollars into organizations like the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal SPCA, and Nature Canada. However, after facing prejudice in a few work situations, I felt the need to move on. What was crucial to me was to expand my view of the world, my skillsets, and my professional network; pursuing an MBA responded to all 3 needs perfectly.

Why did you choose the John Molson MBA?

Being around the wealth and power within the philanthropy sector, I noticed a trend where top executives and ‘movers and shakers’ of different backgrounds, races, and nationalities, had some connection with the John Molson School of Business and were part of a strong network. This put John Molson on my radar.

What clinched the deal for me was the warm welcome I received when I was still a prospective student: all my questions were promptly answered, I was connected with a past MBA student who had a similar background as mine, and I appreciated the open conversation about the program offering a good fit to my situation and objectives. This positive experience contrasts with the one I had with another university, where the customer service was less responsive.

You just graduated from the program this Spring. Looking back, what was it like being in the MBA and how has it changed you?

The John Molson MBA is one of the highlights of my life and I squeezed it for all it was worth!

We live in an age where there’s infinite knowledge at our fingertips. It’s no longer about having the right answer; it’s about becoming the right kind of person who can quickly assess the information, make calculated risks, and take action. To become this type of person requires care. Books don’t care; people care.

When I started the MBA, I was changing my life – my own and my family’s life – and taking a leap into the unknown. I was scared like anybody would have been in my situation. But around me were people who cared about me and helped me develop myself. This development was through faculty and staff, workshops, classrooms, case competitions, and guest speaker events. John Molson created a positive human environment where I was nurtured to do great things. For example:

  • When I had to travel for work, professors were always open and accommodating, helping me better balance school, work, and family life.
  • Bob Menard at John Molson’s Career Management Services (CMS) has been a solid source of support and comfort during my 4 years as a part-time student. He helped me become  comfortable with the job application and interviewing process – I owe him a lot!
  • Dr. Jordan Lebel helped me get out of my own way and made me comfortable with taking risks and creating opportunities.
  • Dr. Ehsan Derayati modeled to me what a confident self-assured person should be.
  • Dr Lea Katsanis showed me how important it is to lead with a sense of humility and curiosity.

How did John Molson’s Career Management Services help you on the job front during your studies?

I worked full-time while pursuing my MBA part-time. Bob Menard from CMS was always supporting me, helping me customize my CV and cover letter, running mock interviews, and letting me in on behind-the-scenes knowledge about companies. All this gave me an edge.

In addition, working while studying let me bring into class things I experienced on the job and work those issues out in real-time. This helped me stand out in the recruitment process as I had the latest understanding of what was happening on the ground.

Tell us about the podcast you launched, The BIPOC Manager. What is the aim and how did the idea come to you?

I studied Journalism at Concordia in 2014 and, since then, I’ve always wanted to do a podcast focused on the immigrant and minority experience. In MBA 650, which is the core course on business strategy that all courses lead up to, Professor Ehsan Derayati stressed how important it is to get a taste of entrepreneurship and launching something from scratch. With my new skillsets, confidence, and community of people wishing me well, I found the ability to finally overcome my own inner resistance and launched the podcast in 2023.

There have been about 40 episodes of The BIPOC Manager so far featuring some really incredible people. And the feedback I get from listeners – how it helped them address some pain point or get over a hump – is what makes it worthwhile.

Do you have any advice for people considering doing an MBA?

Be crystal clear on why you want to do an MBA and who you want to grow into at the end of that experience. This approach lets you define, for yourself, what you want out of the program and helps you prioritize when you have competing demands for your attention. It ensures that you spend time with the right people, at the right events, experiencing the right things that shape you into who you want to become. 

I wanted to be someone so skilled in entrepreneurship and business that I couldn’t be ignored—a leader in scaling businesses and driving growth, and that’s precisely how the John Molson MBA has transformed my career.

 

For more information on the John Molson MBA, visit our website. Then connect with a recruiter to ask a question or arrange a one-to-one meeting, or you can participate in one of our many online information sessions.

 

 
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