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Oliver Zihlmann
Oliver Zihlmann鈥檚 choice to pursue a graduate degree was rooted in a desire for the diversity of experiences, skills, and knowledge needed to become a well-rounded leader. He believed an MBA offered a broad education applicable in any industry and would provide valuable insights into business practices and standards he could apply to his work in the non-for-profit sector.
The ability to continue working was critical while studying for Oliver, and the flexibility of the SFU Beedie Part-Time MBA program meant he could still grow his career while laying the foundation for future growth.
My experience at SFU Beedie
鈥淚 like to have a broad set of skills and experiences, and the SFU Beedie MBA played into those interests. When thinking about the next stages of my career, I knew I needed and wanted practice in other areas.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 still learning about all the benefits of the MBA program and am curious to see how I will continue to benefit five years, even ten years, out as my career progresses. I feel like the full benefits of the program are still to be revealed.鈥�
My Journey
鈥淵ou take everyone with you on your MBA journey. Whether it鈥檚 your parent, your children, friends, colleagues, four-legged friends鈥攅veryone comes with you on the journey in one form or another.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 a total mind-body experience. It was challenging, and you have to be real with yourself about how it is going to impact every area of your life. You have to have a sense of purpose.鈥�
Highlights
鈥淚n 2017 I ran for the Board of Governors as the Graduate Student representative for SFU. I gained a 360 picture of 91泡芙 and all of its activities at a BOG level, which was an incredibly valuable and enriching experience that I wouldn鈥檛 otherwise have had.鈥�
鈥淎 program highlight was my entrepreneurship class, taught by Andrew Harries. It put me out of my comfort zone and drew me into a different kind of thinking and learning. Entrepreneurship is like an MBA every day of your life 鈥� in terms of all the learning and adapting it involves. The course overall was challenging and inspiring.鈥�
Where I am today
An experienced fundraising and development professional, Oliver currently works for the University of British Columbia as the Director, Development and Alumni Engagement, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.