Patrick O'Brien

Where did you live before you joined Ivey?

Canmore, Canada

Why did you decide to do an MBA?

An MBA wasn't always a part of my plan and I was enjoying the work I did beforehand. That said I'd been thinking more about how I could invest in myself for the longterm before the opportunity cost of taking a year off work got too high. I decided to do an MBA because it gave me a chance to step back and build out the depth and breadth of my skillsets and be a part of a community who share a unique one year experience together.

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

The most surprising part of the Ivey MBA journey has been discovering new interests and strengths. I let go of my preconceived notions from undergrad and ended up enjoying several courses more than I expected to. It's been a great way to rethink my abilities and interests in a group setting where you can bounce ideas and learn from people who learn in different ways I do.