A Marketing Researcher's Journey from Student to Professor at Edwards School of Business

My career path has been quite unique and not as straightforward as one might expect. It all began at the Edwards School of Business, where I pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in marketing. Initially, I was set on following a more traditional route for an Edwards graduate, envisioning a long-term career in marketing within the industry. However, things took an interesting turn after I graduated, leading me toward a path that blended both marketing and research. 

I always knew I loved marketing, and I was motivated to deepen my understanding of it. A couple of years after completing my Bachelor of Commerce, I began considering graduate studies to further expand my knowledge. I was debating between an MBA and a more research-focused path when faculty at Edwards suggested the Master of Science in Management program with a specialization in marketing. The research element was compelling, and I realized it would allow me to engage more deeply with the discipline. This led me to pursue the MSc, and I'm glad I did—it strengthened my skills both as a researcher and as a marketing strategist. 

The MSc in Management program had a transformative effect on my skills and confidence as a researcher and marketing strategist. It allowed me to engage with high-level marketing theories and research, building my skills for a more strategic approach in real-world applications. This experience empowered me to address business challenges with innovative solutions and made me well-prepared to re-enter the workforce in a more impactful role. 

After a few years in consulting and marketing strategist roles, I found myself yearning to return to research. The curiosity and “research itch” I’d developed during my Master’s kept resurfacing, which ultimately led me back to grad school to pursue a PhD in marketing at Queen’s University. This path allowed me to dive deeper into the research I was passionate about and further develop my expertise. 

The experience was incredibly rewarding. The faculty at Edwards were open, supportive, and highly engaged in helping me explore different areas within marketing. I had a great cohort of curious and motivated students, and we really thrived in the program together. The environment encouraged us to ask questions, explore new ideas, and engage in high-level discussions. This was a defining part of my growth. 

The faculty and peer relationships I developed at Edwards have been invaluable. Many of my mentors from the MSc program are now my colleagues, which has been a rewarding transition. They instilled confidence in me to pursue high-level questions, and I learned so much from their mentorship. These connections have been a huge part of my academic journey and have continued to support my career growth. 

My experience as a student at Edwards significantly shaped my teaching philosophy. Many faculty members kept their doors open for me, engaging me in conversations about research and helping me develop my ideas. I try to emulate that openness in my own mentorship, always making myself available to students. I hope to offer the same level of support and encouragement to my students that I received. 

Not at all! When I was an undergraduate, I never envisioned myself returning to Edwards as a faculty member. But life has a way of bringing things full circle, and I’m grateful it did. The journey from being a fresh-faced undergrad to becoming a professor here has been deeply fulfilling, especially with the strong connections I have with the faculty and the supportive academic community at Edwards. 

Returning to Saskatchewan has been a blessing. My wife and I both have roots here, and we knew we wanted to settle down and raise our family in this community. Although my academic journey took us far from home, coming back to Edwards felt like returning to our roots. The faculty and community here welcomed us, making it clear this was the right place for us to be. 

This program is an exceptional choice for anyone looking to pursue research-based graduate studies. Edwards offers top-tier education, a supportive faculty, and mentorship across diverse areas in management. It prepares you well for any career path, whether you’re aiming for a doctoral program or a high-level management role. The connections and knowledge you gain here are invaluable, and it’s truly one of North America’s hidden gems for graduate research. 

One of Canada’s oldest business schools, the Edwards School of Business offers graduate programs to advance or change your careers, including the Master of Science in Management with specializations in Finance, Marketing, and Management (including Human Resources/Organizational Behaviour, Supply Chain/Information Systems, Operations Management, and Accounting & Taxation). Visit the Master of Science in Management program page to learn more or chat with a program advisor.

Article originally published at https://www.edwards.usask.ca