My name is Olivia Lyons and I am just finishing up my MSc in Management in Business Analytics. I have always had an interest in human health and nutrition, and, prior to my time at Ivey, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Guelph. I pursued the Business Analytics program to improve my business acumen, and to gain technical hands-on experience.
As the program concludes, it is such a bittersweet feeling. Students in the MSc 2020 cohort will go on to pursue very different career paths, industries, and goals, all over the world. When I reflect on my experience, one word sticks out in my mind for each of my classmates: transformation. In a program that brings together such diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, it is so easy to look around the room and compare yourself to all of your classmates’ experiences and accomplishments. My biggest learning from the program was how to hone your skill set, and what you personally bring to the table. Throughout group projects, the Hack the Case competition, and my summer placement at Carpedia, a boutique consulting firm, I was able to identify what my strengths were and where I fit into the team role.
There were so many opportunities offered to us throughout the program from clubs to networking sessions and workshops. These events and clubs helped me to learn what future opportunities exist and also allowed me to apply many concepts I had learned in the classroom. Through Ivey’s events, I met many General Mills associates and I felt I instantly connected. For me, this was the perfect bridging of my nutritional sciences and business background, and I am really looking forward to beginning a leadership development role with the company!
Diversity of opinions and strengths brings innovation, and this helped to solidify the understanding that we all bring a different form of value to the teams we are on, and the companies we choose to be a part of. I think this learning alone really demonstrates transformation, and it was so evident seeing my classmates as they determined what makes them stand out and helped them hit their strides. I look forward to seeing what they all go on to accomplish.
I encourage those who enter this program to try as many new things as possible and to do so surrounded by your classmates. These people will go on to be your professional network one day, and you may also make lifelong friends as I was fortunate enough to experience.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you may have. I love to chat (my classmates would quickly confirm this statement)!
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/olivialyons88
