Carine Nahman and Alana Green are on a mission to recruit a passionate, diverse group of students to enroll in McGill University’s full- and part-time MBA programs at the Desautels Faculty of Management.
Carine Nahman has been part of the Desautels family since 2012. She reaches prospective MBA students from Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Quebec.
Originally from Bathurst, New Brunswick, Alana Green joined the Desautels staff in July 2019. She focuses on reaching students in Asia and Canada (outside of Quebec).
We recently sat down with Alana and Carine for a Q&A session:
What does a typical day in the job look like for you?
Alana: There’s a lot of variety. If I’m on the road, it’s mostly about meeting students face to face to provide information and follow up afterwards. In the office, it’s a lot of phone calls and emails to keep in touch with students and answer their questions.
Carine: There is no typical day in the job! When I’m on the road, I meet with students at MBA fairs, info sessions, admissions panels, and in one-on-one meetings. Back in the office, I follow up with the great candidates I met on the road, reach out to local prospective students, and respond to questions and requests. And, of course, I plan my next trip abroad.
What makes McGill’s MBA program unique?
Alana: Because Desautels is a small school, we can tailor our programs to the needs and interests of individual students. Our newly redesigned MBA program is even more flexible than what we had before. Now, students can complete the MBA in 12, 16, or 20 months.
In addition to our small size and flexibility, the diversity of our students is one of the most unique features of Desautels. Nearly 80 percent of this year’s incoming class comes from outside of Canada. We work really hard to build a diverse cohort of students who represent different regions, as well as different backgrounds and interests. Students learn a lot from their classmates, so the more diverse the cohort is, the more enriching the experience. And it’s interesting to note that more than 90 percent of students will stay in Canada after graduation. Some of them feel the call to return home and bring a new perspective to their country, but most use their MBA to launch their career in Canada.
Carine: There are a lot of MBA programs out there. One of the things that makes Desautels special is the fact that we emphasize quality over quantity of students, so they receive full attention from everybody—professors, advisors, career coaches. You don’t have to take a number to be able to talk to somebody. We know your name. When you get a job, everybody cheers for you. You’re really part of a family.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a recruiter for Desautels?
Alana: Especially as we introduce our new MBA program options, students want to understand what’s going to be the best fit for them. My passion for recruitment is guiding students in their journey. It’s always nice when students come to me with concerns and walk away from our conversation feeling reassured. And if I can find a student with an interesting background who would be a great fit for our program, that’s a big win.
Carine: It’s sharing graduation day with the students. I’m so proud of what they have accomplished throughout the program. Sometimes, I meet a student two or three years before they actually come to McGill. I love watching them bloom. To me, it’s important that their experience at McGill is the best experience of their lives and that they can achieve their career goals after graduation.
What are the most common concerns that you hear from prospective MBA students?
Alana: The biggest myth I have to dispel, especially from students coming from warmer climates, is that Montreal is one big freezer. There are definitely four seasons here. And even in the winter, getting out into nature is part of the local lifestyle.
The other thing that students are concerned about is the language. They want to know what life is like in a French environment and what their job prospects will be. Fortunately, Montreal is a very bilingual city, and we provide students with plenty of opportunities to learn French if it interests them. Whether it’s here in Montreal, other parts of Canada, or internationally, our students do very well in terms of finding jobs where they want to live after graduation.
What are the qualities you look for in a prospective MBA student?
Carine: We want students with stories to tell and past experiences that can contribute to the richness and quality of their MBA adventure. The McGill experience is very collaborative. We look for people who are driven, curious, emotionally intelligent, and open-minded, with a team spirit.
|
Carine Nahman
|
Alana Green
|
Desautels MBA Program
The all-new McGill Desautels MBA program has been created with a student-centric approach, which allows the ultimate flexibility in program length & specialization.
- Learn more about our the 12, 16, or 20 months options for our MBA Program
- Find out how Desautels’ small-size cohort creates unique opportunities by contacting our Student Ambassadors & Alumni Ambassadors.
- Connect with a recruiter to learn more about pursuing an MBA at McGill.
