Meet Toronto Rotman’s MBA Class Of 2021

Marla Yuan

Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

ā€œLive to love and love to live!ā€

Hometown: Chongqing, China

Fun Fact About Yourself: My cat fetches.

Undergraduate School and Major: Stetson University, Finance (Undergrad); Johns Hopkins University, Finance (Graduate)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: PwC, Corporate Finance, Senior Associate

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I build lasting friendships with many people I met at work, including my colleagues, clients, supervisors, etc. They were the guides and hands when I started off and are going to be the source of strength as I move forward in my career.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates youā€™ve met so far and why? I have only met with a small group of my classmates who are from China. It is a very diverse group consists of people from different industries and background. I am looking forward to getting to meeting more classmates.

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? ā€œThe Northā€ (Location). Frankly, I have never been to Toronto or anywhere in Canada, but that is the point. I love exploring new places where, and at the same time, I can build a career. Since Rotman is the best Canadian school for Finance and is located in the heart of Toronto, it is an easy decision for me to choose this program.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I plan to join the Health Sector Management Club, the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Association, and the Active Club. However, there are so many other clubs I would like to join. I have not made up my mind yet and am going to find out more about the clubs after school starts. I am really excited about it!

What was the most challenging question you were asked during the admissions process? Actually, the hardest question was one of the essay questions that requires me to characterize myself in five words. I asked people around me to get a better look at myself.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I chose to pursue an MBA at this point in my career and life for two main reasons: 1) I have been a generalist in finance and am constantly searching for an area to specialize in. However, I need time, network, industry-specific knowledge, and some managerial skills to continue doing finance but with a specific industry focus. I believe pursuing an MBA allows me to obtain what I need for my career. 2) As I mentioned before, I want to explore ā€“ and maybe I can find a place to settle.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? None

How did you determine your fit at various schools? Mainly, I observe two aspects: The people and the location. I believe these are the two factors that are fundamental and will have a long-term impact on my MBA experience. For location, I did research on Toronto and Canada in general, from its history to its current trends in businesses, culture, politics, etc. For people, I talked to people who have lived in the location and listened to their thoughts on it. I also went to information sessions held by the school and talked to admissions officers, alumni, potential applicants, etc. Moreover, to make a decision, I just prioritize one thing: what I need (for my career and life). Obviously, the more an MBA program can offer the better, however, there is no one school that can perfect in every aspect. Therefore, as long as the school excels at what I need, it is the right fit for me.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? I tend not to believe that I am shaped by just one single defining moment. Rather, I would like to think it is the one quality, being true to myself, really makes who I am today.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? I will always keep my eyes open for opportunities, keep doing what I am passionate about, play a leading role in initiatives, and bring a positive impact to society.

See The Entire ‘Meet The Class’ Series

 

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