After spending numerous years in a mid-level sales role, Ian Anderson returned to school and pursued his Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA). Ian was looking to advance his career but knew he needed to develop a deeper understanding of sales and management to achieve his goals.

Like many students at the University of Fredericton (UFred), Ian was searching for a program that would fit with his full-time job and discussed sales in some capacity. In his search, he found UFred checked both boxes through the fully online specialty stream in Professional Selling & Leadership.

Managing commitments and building connections

The idea of returning to school was slightly intimidating for Ian, but he quickly became comfortable once he began the program. By creating a routine and finding ways to effectively manage his time, Ian integrated his education into his everyday life, making the transition back to school much more manageable.

“Going back to school was intimidating initially, but once I found my routine and used effective time management skills, it became part of my day-to-day activities.”

One of the highlights of Ian’s time at UFred was creating connections with peers from around the world. While progressing in the program, he met individuals he would now consider his friends.

Post-UFred: a promotion, program applicability, and future goals

Since receiving his EMBA, Ian has been promoted from an Outside Sales Representative to Assistant National Sales Manager with Nidec Motor Corporation. He has had the opportunity to apply skills learned during courses, mainly those focused on sales and leadership, and believes his education will continue to propel him forward in his career.

While discussing his future goals, Ian said, “My future goal is to become the National Sales Manager and help our team achieve milestones. My education at UFred has provided me with the necessary tools to achieve this goal.”