Hello! I'm Paola - I'm currently pursuing the Full-Time MBA program at Beedie. I'm a licensed Canadian immigration consultant and for the last four years I have been managing my own immigration consulting practice and bringing strategic solutions to clients to reach their immigration goals. I was motivated to enter the immigration world by my personal immigration experience navigating the complexities of the Canadian immigration system. I have a background in finance, purchasing and project management and I enjoy working with different systems and platforms that bring solutions and create efficiencies of workflow. My diverse experience and background has allowed me to adapt to different circumstances, understand business matters from different perspectives and build strong cross-cultural sensitivity. I am driven by challenge and motivated to keep learning to reach my highest potential. I look forward to inspire others with their own journeys.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

Making the decision to go back to school after a long break wasn't something I took lightly. I wanted this new experience to add value to my overall academic and professional resume. First, I looked for leading business schools that were recognized globally and Beedie School of Business at SFU offered me that. Second, living in Vancouver's lower mainland for the past 13 years I knew I could find what I was looking for right here at home. Throughout the admission process, my decision was re-enforced by the school's values and approach from the admission's team.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH AND/OR PROGRAM.

The MBA program has challenged me to think differently, adapt to change quickly, embrace different points of views and create a practice of reflection.

With the program starting in the middle of a pandemic, we adapted quickly to online team meetings, working with different time zones and using several online platforms. As challenging as this can be, I'm happy to  have created bonds with many of my teammates.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?  

I am enjoying the analytical skills that I'm developing as a Manager. Through the teamwork, I'm enjoying that I can practice and enhance my soft skills. The diversity of our cohort that is allowing me to learn form others' experiences and challenges.

The program is worth very minute of late night studies and late night group sessions.

HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR FUNDED AWARDS?

BC Graduate Scholarship (BCGS) and Dean's Graduate Fellowship.

DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRAM TO THOSE WHO ARE SEARCHING.

The MBA program is helping me develop broader and deeper business management knowledge, enhance my analytical skills and introduce managerial intuition. In other words, it's providing me with the tools to make effective, strategic and smart business decisions.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?

We can't deny that the current pandemic has affected us in different ways, but how we embrace challenge, is what will make us stand-out in future. I look forward to meeting my cohort in person.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paola-lashley/