Anastasia Budaeva

The Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University

“A geologist from Eastern Siberia eager to learn and discover new places.”

Hometown: Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russia

Fun Fact About Yourself: When working as a geologist in Chukotka, in the Russian Far East, I had to hold someone’s hand if I wanted to go outside during the snowstorms; I was too light to walk by myself in the howling winds.

Undergraduate School and Major:

Bachelor of Science in Geology – Moscow State University;

Master of Science in Petroleum Geoscience for Exploration – The University of Manchester

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: IHS Markit, Exploration and Production Analyst

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Over the course of my career in geology, I would say that my biggest accomplishment was the fieldwork I did in the Chukotka region of the Russian Far East, where I had a chance to try several roles such as geologist, field manager and HSEC manager. The shift-based work and harsh weather conditions typical of remote locations in the Russian Far East created challenges, especially because drilling was usually performed in winter.

Most of the time I worked as a geologist, but during shift turnovers I had to be ready to replace the Field Manager on site. I had the opportunity to manage a coal exploration project and control the logistics, which involved 40 staff (geophysicists, gas analysts, drilling contractors) and five vehicles. By the end of the shift turnover, I successfully completed drilling operations on two wells.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? The first thing I noticed about my classmates is that they are very friendly, welcoming and always eager to help. We’ve already gone through several challenges together from visa application processes to moving to a new city and country. I feel that I already know my classmates well and, if needed, they would be willing to give any support. This, I think, is a particular feature of the Desautels Family.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I was attracted by the idea of the program’s personalized approach. The McGill MBA class is usually no more than 80 people, which gives a great opportunity for both students and professors to better know and understand each other. While I was doing my research, current MBA students told me that professors and advisors at McGill know every student’s background, career goals and aspirations, so they can provide personalized attention and advice as necessary.

There are a number of things that I was impressed with at McGill: its unique integrated approach to management education and the way it encourages young leaders, the quality of education and its broad network of alumni.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I would like to join Net Impact and the Business Technology Club. Combining the knowledge and networks from those two clubs, I hope to gain ideas about how the newest technological tools could be applied across a variety of industries in a sustainable manner.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I have always felt a need to acquire greater business knowledge and management skills to advance my career and expand my professional experience. At this point, I have gained extensive experience in the energy sector as a geologist, participating in international projects and facilitating industry innovations. I am ready to explore other roles and industries where I can make a positive impact on environmental, economic, and social issues.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I never doubted whether an MBA was worth the investment. I had a great example in my family to what extent an MBA degree can be a life-changing experience and the value it provides. My elder sister got her MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University several years ago. I witnessed her professional and personal transformation during the two-year program. An MBA degree is not only about your future career and salary, but about the experience of gaining invaluable knowledge and building life-time friendships.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto; Schulich School of Business, York University; Kelley School of Business, Indiana University; Darden School of Business, University of Virginia

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I started my research about two years before the application process; at that time I did not have a clear goal, but only a general idea that I wanted to obtain an MBA degree. Thus, at one of the MBA events where business schools from all over the world came to Moscow to represent their programs, I met Marie-Eve Roy, Director of Recruitment and Marketing from McGill University. She gave me a full overview of the MBA program at the Desautels Faculty of Management.

Of course, like all other applicants, I looked through rankings and McGill University stood out right away as the #1 MBA program in Canada in 2018. However, I decided not to rely solely on the rankings, and made my own research. One of the most helpful and important steps was talking to current and former students from the schools I was interested in. My wish was to find a program that provided not only quality education, but also a cohort where everyone can learn from each other. This is why I loved how students from McGill refer to the experience in their program as being part of the Desautels family.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? One of the significant challenges in my life was moving to another country to pursue a Master’s degree in Petroleum Geoscience. Although I had been living away from my hometown of Ulan-Ude for several years before moving to England, it was still scary to move abroad. At the same time, the challenge of immersing myself into a foreign culture excited me a lot.

My year in Manchester was a defining time for me in many ways. I learned to adapt to a variety of conditions, become a team player, and had the privilege of working and studying in an international class. The latter helped me build my professional career as a geologist in several international companies. I held various roles in a French company based in Moscow, an Australian coal exploration company based in Chukotka, and an American company based in Moscow. All three required the ability to work in an international team, which I easily managed to do based on my previous experience.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Now, at the beginning of my MBA journey, it is difficult to predict where I’ll land after I graduate. I am keen on sustainability and want to explore career opportunities in this area. Ultimately, in two years I hope to apply the knowledge and skills acquired at Desautels to make a positive difference in an organization that supports my personal and professional development.

Where do you see yourself in five years? From a professional standpoint, in five years I see myself managing innovative international projects that are helping the global energy sector become more sustainable and ecologically-friendly.