If you’re an ambitious individual aiming to accelerate your career in the global business arena, pursuing an MBA abroad could be your gateway to success. 

Renowned for its high-quality education and multicultural environment, Canada is becoming an increasingly popular choice for students from all corners of the world seeking a first-rate business education.

BusinessBecause caught up with three graduates from Ecuador, Nigeria, and China, to find out how they leveraged their MBA in Canada to propel their careers forward. 

“You can be technically proficient, but if you don’t gain the support of your leadership or teammates, your initiatives won't move forward”

Name: Carlos Narvaez

Origin: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Current Function: Business analyst

Born and raised in Ecuador, Carlos (pictured right) had always dreamed of studying in North America. 

From working in business development for the National Lottery to founding his own small import venture and earning a bachelor’s in international commerce and finance, Carlos built business experience in a variety of ways.

With confidence and credentials in hand, Carlos sought an MBA program in North America that would facilitate a career transition into the IT sector. 

At the University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNB Saint John), Carlos found a rigorous program and a city that felt like home. 

“My home city, Guayaquil, is a port city as well, and that connection motivated me to choose Saint John,” he explains. “The opportunity to study a one-year intensive MBA in Canada, and the warm and personalized treatment I received from the university, made my decision very clear.”

Home to six MBA specializations, including entrepreneurship and technology management, UNB Saint John provided Carlos with a strong platform to pursue his career ambitions. 

The pandemic meant that Carlos began his studies remotely in late 2020. But within six months, Carlos had settled in Canada. 

Just three months after arriving, he landed an internship as a business systems analyst with Brunswick News, which soon led to a full-time job offer that marked the beginning of his two-year tenure at the company.

While technical skills were a core part of his business education, it was the growth in his soft skills that truly accelerated his career progression.

“The MBA emphasized the importance of empathy and human connection in business. You can be technically proficient, but if you don’t gain the support of your leadership or teammates, your initiatives won't move forward. Ultimately, every decision maker is a human being,” he says.

Fast forward to today, Carlos is a business analyst and account lead within JD Irving’s transport division in New Brunswick, where he acts as the bridge between IT and business.

“The MBA has broadened my horizons, providing me with different perspectives beyond just the legal angle”

Name: Catherine Kelechi-Onyeocha

From: Lagos, Nigeria

Function: Policy analyst

Catherine (pictured left), a seasoned corporate and commercial lawyer from Nigeria, joined the MBA in Canada with nearly two decades of experience under her belt. 

Before pursuing her MBA, she served as in-house counsel at First Bank of Nigeria, the country’s oldest and largest bank. Her decision to transition to business education was driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of the business world and to complement her legal expertise with business acumen.

“The MBA has broadened my horizons, providing me with different perspectives beyond just the legal angle,” she says. “Now, I view opportunities from a diverse standpoint—legal, business, and policy.”

The MBA program’s practical, hands-on approach led to her securing a role as policy analyst with the government of New Brunswick just six months into her degree. 

“What I learned in the MBA is exactly what I apply in my job today,” she explains. “Thanks to my knowledge of international investment and business strategies, for example, I can evaluate potential markets and investment destinations.”

The community-oriented environment of New Brunswick was another significant factor in her decision. Coming from the bustling city of Lagos, she sought a calmer city that didn’t compromise on quality of life or professional opportunities.

“Saint John is like a family—the community made me feel at home from day one,” she concludes.

“I had great mentors in my MBA that taught me how to adapt to a corporate environment”

Name: Andy He

From: Shanghai, China

Function: General manager

Andy (pictured right) was a computer science graduate aspiring to enter the world of business, when a university expo in his home city of Shanghai introduced him to an MBA in Canada at UNB Saint John.

“Canada was completely new to me, but I learned that the University of New Brunswick is one of the oldest universities in Canada and Saint John is the oldest city in the country, which caught my attention,” says Andy.

For Andy, an MBA wasn’t a fixed path to a specific career, but rather as a versatile tool to shape his long-term career journey. 

After completing his MBA in Canada, he initially ventured into marketing and sales, helping local businesses establish their online presence while working part-time in sales. With a few further years of IT experience under his belt, Andy decided to take the leap into the automotive industry. 

Starting as a sales consultant, Andy quickly moved up the ranks, taking on management roles where he boosted profitability at several dealerships.

“I wanted to push myself, so I made a complete career change into the automotive industry, which was quite an adventure. When the opportunity came up at the Nissan dealership, I applied and got the job,” he says.

Andy credits his MBA with providing him essential skills and the confidence to excel in his career. Thanks to the mentors he met during the program and the opportunities to connect with local business owners, Andy gained valuable knowledge of the local business landscape.

“The MBA helped me understand how a business operates, and I had great mentors that taught me how to adapt to a corporate environment. For example, I learned to confidently handle financial statements, which helped me make some strategic decisions for the dealership,” he explains.

As an international student, the environment of Saint John and his MBA community proved to be a transformative environment for personal growth.

“English isn’t my first language, and the culture was very different from what I knew. The MBA in Canada helped me build confidence, adapt to the local community, and communicate effectively in a new cultural environment,” says Andy.

Whether transitioning into new industries or climbing the corporate ladder, an MBA abroad can help you to unlock new opportunities and accelerate your career trajectory.