Caroline Dussault

HEC Montréal

“An ambitious yet well-rounded and empathic young professional always looking for her next challenge.”

Hometown: Montréal, Quebec

Fun Fact About Yourself: I played in a competitive women soccer team up until I was 26 years old.

Undergraduate School and Major: I studied Law at University of Montreal.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: I was a lawyer specialized in labor and employment law for Dunton Rainville.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In my 5 years of experience as a litigator, I pleaded 50 cases before various tribunals.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Complementary. I love how the backgrounds of my classmates are so diversified. I believe that the enriching exchanges with my peers will allow me to develop an openness that I consider essential to become an effective leader.

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? For me HEC Montréal was a clear choice. It is not only a francophone business school, but it also happens to be one of the best business schools in Canada.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I really look forward to taking part in the campus abroad organized in Mumbai & Dubai in December. It will be a unique opportunity to discover and understand business environments with completely different cultural, political, social and economic realities.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Throughout my different work experiences as a lawyer, I realized how having a positive impact on my community played a central role in my motivation. This reflection led me to want to take on a more important role in the strategy making and direction of a company. With this goal in mind, the MBA program became a necessity.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? Obtaining this prestigious degree with an international reputation will be decisive for my career path. I see the MBA as an investment in myself and in my future, how can it not be worth it?

What other MBA programs did you apply to? None

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I went to HEC Montreal’s open house in November 2017 and met with a graduate of the program who happened to have a similar career path as mine. She told me how much she had appreciated her experience. The fact that I identified so much with that person convinced me that the culture of the school would fit me perfectly.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Between 2014 and 2017, I worked for a firm that mostly represented the interests of victims of work and road accidents. My clients not only needed legal advice, they wanted to be understood and cared for. This experience shaped the person that I am by making me more empathic and patient. Furthermore, it has convinced me to always align the career goals that I want to pursue with my deepest values.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Before starting a new job, I want to take the time to travel. I have always dreamed of going to New Zealand but in the last few years I didn’t have enough time off to visit that country. I am thinking that after graduating from the MBA it may be the perfect timing since I will most likely be able to take a few weeks off. Afterwards, I intend on finding a job that I will be passionate about and that will fulfill my strong need of having a positive impact on my community.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself occupying a key strategic position in a socially responsible corporation.