Gayan Ferdinands

Why did you decide to do an MBA?

I mainly chose to do the MBA because I felt like it was time to take myself out of my comfort zone and immerse myself in a program where I could transition careers and challenge myself academically. Prior to Ivey I had worked as an Engineer for 5 years and earned my Engineering License. I wanted to expand my skill set and diversify my portfolio by blending my technical skills with a business acumen to make myself more marketable and create more career opportunities.

What is the most significant thing you've learned at Ivey?

We have been challenged with a heavy course load and engaging projects so far in the program. The most impactful thing I've learned in the program so far was in our Marco Economics Course. I got to learn about the economies and what impacts their decline and growth. I also got to learn about the Canadian economy and how it is trending moving forward. It was interesting learning about supply and demand aggregate curves and how we can model them for a growing economy.

What's been the most surprising aspect of the Ivey MBA journey to date?

The most surprising aspect of the program has been how fast paced and accelerated the work load of the program is. I was not expecting the Core 1 of the program to be so content heavy. This period in the program so far really challenged how I managed my time and worked with my peers under a high pressure environment.

Describe the role you play professionally:

Prior to Ivey I worked as a Project Engineer for a company called Cascades. In this role I was responsible for managing large groups of contractors to install corrugated flexo machines across the province. I was also involved in designing and decommissioning manufacturing plants in this region. As a corporate resource I played a vital role in driving capital initiative and projects for the company.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

The most challenging aspect of the job was the steep learning curve I had to go through. It was a trial by fire and I had to quickly come up to speed with all the various trade and industry regulations. Another challenge was also managing senior groups of contractors who were already expert in their fields. Clear communication and adaptability were key success factors to succeeding in this role.

What is your biggest professional accomplishment?

My biggest professional accomplishment up to date has been acquiring my professional Engineering License. This brought the my whole engineering journey full circle upon graduating and officially mad gave me the status of a licensed professional in my field.

What books are on your bedside table AND/OR what podcast are you listing to right now?

The Bible is a constant presence beside my bedside table. My faith continues to play a large role in my life. I also currently have a book from Charles Swindoll called Clinging to Hope. A book about how to best deal with adversity and having a positive outlook for the future.

How do you manage stress (i.e. sports, exercise, meditation etc)?

I try to be quite active in my life to deal with stress and anxiety. I have now started to run often and try to go out to the gym when time permits. I have also developed a passion for cooking and find that spending time in the kitchen really helps me take my mind of stressful thoughts. My mom is a Buddhist and she has introduced me to the power of meditation and its healing affects on the mind.

Any additional info you might want to share (interesting facts, special hobbies etc.)

As mentioned above I have interests in various outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking and biking. I'm a big cricket fan and enjoy being on the beach and in nature. I love playing the guitar and singing. I'm a big MCU fan and enjoy going to the theatres to watch each new installment in the franchise.