Ysa Cao         

The Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University

“French Chinese-Cambodian lover of food, Latin dance and travel with an unquenchable thirst for learning.”

Hometown: Senlis, France

Fun Fact About Yourself: In 2017, I had an amazing time climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (which entailed eight days of camping), despite not being a camper and having a fear of heights.

Undergraduate School and Major: Concordia University (Montreal, Canada), Honours Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: RBC Royal Bank, Branch Manager

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Several years ago, I was recruited as part of a team to open a new branch in an up-and-coming neighborhood. Opening a branch meant needing to start from scratch: without clients, we had to build our brand, reputation, and relationships by designing a strategy and tactical plan. We were provided three years to reach our business objectives, which were quite ambitious. After many days of long hours and dedication, we reached our goal six months ahead of schedule. It was the happiest moment. What I learned through this experience is that the best rewards come from collaborating with a team of like-minded individuals and being resilient in the face of challenge.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Everyone I’ve met is so supportive, understanding, and curious about each other’s culture, background, and ambitions. It feels comforting to be surrounded by such great active listeners, and this is probably one of best qualities for leaders to have.

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? When I met McGill’s recruiters, it clicked right away. After that, I took initiative to reach out to a few current students and alumni, and again, we got along immediately. I also observed how members of the community interacted with each other, and it really felt as if they were an extended family. Similar to how employees can reflect on a company, faculty members, students and alumni reflect on a school. On top of offering an integrated approach and real-world experience (such as its CEO Speaker Series and its 10 day-international study trip), McGill has a solid network of alumni and students that are collaborative and supportive of each other. For me, it’s important to be in an environment and a community where this is the case and where we share common values. It is in these types of environments where we can truly feel ourselves, and thus strive authentically toward our aspirations.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Business case competitions. I know that by stepping out of my comfort zone and participating in them, I will learn a great deal about critical thinking, strategic planning and public speaking.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I worked in the banking industry for seven years, three of which were in management. During this time, I developed many soft skills and learned how to lead others. However, to progress my career further, I wanted to acquire a broader set of analytical skills and financial acumen. The opportunity to potentially switch roles and industries was also a factor in my decision, not because I was unhappy but because I believe I have so much more to learn.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? Taking a step back in time for myself is always a valuable investment. During the MBA, we will spend a lot of time on self-reflection and self-awareness. The MBA only lasts two years, but will have an impact for life, as the end goal is to progress toward a fulfilling and suitable career.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Because McGill was my first choice, I did not apply to any other schools once I knew I was accepted. Prior to that, I was considering Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto, Boston University, and Hong Kong University (among others).

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I wanted to join a school with an international reputation and where the values and the culture resonated with me. It was also important that the school offer an integrated approach, real world experience, and strong support from career services. I looked at the rankings, conducted research online, attended online information sessions, and talked to a lot of people from the schools that interested me. I think the latter provided the most insight and helped me understand the culture of each school. If I could provide one piece of advice to prospective students, it would be to not hesitate to reach out to current students and alumni, because they are the greatest source of information.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? 2013 was a transition year for me. That year, I decided to travel to Iceland. At the airport, I picked up a book at random: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop by Susan Cain. Little did I know that this book would change the vision I had of myself and how it would help me understand who I truly am. Being an introvert has not always been easy (especially as an “outgoing introvert”), but this book helped me appreciate that I could still be a successful leader. By encouraging self-acceptance, it opened up for me a new and genuine leadership style in both my personal and professional life.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? There are so many exciting possibilities, I’m trying to keep an open mind. Two examples are management consulting and marketing strategy. Hopefully, an internship next summer will help me narrow down the options.

Where do you see yourself in five years? It’s hard to say, but I will always want to contribute in an organization that shares my values and my mission to make a positive impact on people and the world.