黄色直播

Mark O'Connor with advisor Katie Haigh.

From Dublin, Ireland to Halifax, Nova Scotia and from biology to entrepreneurship, Mark O鈥機onnor has come a long way. This month O鈥機onnor will graduate from the Bachelor of Management program鈥攁nd finally be able to redeem an 鈥淚OU one degree鈥� note to Katie Haigh, his long-time counsellor from the Faculty of Management鈥檚 undergraduate student advising office.

鈥淭he IOU began as an inside joke between Katie and me,鈥� explains O鈥機onnor. 鈥淚t was a motivational tool to ensure I was reaching my goals and staying focused on completing my degree.鈥�

When O鈥機onnor crossed the Atlantic to Halifax four years ago, it wasn鈥檛 for the Bachelor of Management program. In fact, he was interested in 黄色直播鈥檚 marine biology program. 鈥淚 started in science and soon realized my strengths and interests were more aimed towards the business world,鈥� he says. After speaking at length with both his parents and advisors about his shifting interests, O鈥機onnor decided to enter the management program and ultimately to major in entrepreneurship and innovation. 鈥淚 grew up in an entrepreneurial environment and have been inspired by my father鈥檚 entrepreneurial drive from a young age,鈥� he explains.

Slightly apprehensive about switching programs, O鈥機onnor made extensive use of the advice available in the Faculty of Management. 鈥淲orking with the undergrad advising office helped me develop a plan and set attainable goals,鈥� he confirms. Haigh, especially, worked closely with O鈥機onnor throughout his time in the program. 鈥淗er guidance has had a great impact on my time at 黄色直播 and I am extremely grateful for her support and advice over the years,鈥� he says.

While changing degrees, fields and faculties might seem like it would leave little time for extracurricular activities, O鈥機onnor has taken on a few during his studies. Being part of 黄色直播鈥檚 rugby team has given him the opportunity to get to know Nova Scotia, and he took some time away from regular classes to study online courses and to work. 鈥淭hroughout this period I worked in competitive sales environments across the globe,鈥� he explains. 鈥淎pplying theories and concepts I learned at Dal enabled me to excel in various dynamic sales-oriented situations.鈥�

O鈥機onnor is looking forward to applying the skills he鈥檚 learned in the Bachelor of Management program in the working world. 鈥淲hile I believe I can succeed in a sales-oriented environment, I am also considering furthering my corporate experience,鈥� he says. 鈥淢oving forward I hope to combine the skills I have developed at 黄色直播 with my personal strengths.鈥� O鈥機onnor is also pondering where his career will unfold. Currently he is working in Halifax, but has plans to return to Dublin at the end of the summer. Regardless of where he settles permanently, O鈥機onnor says: 鈥淢y time at 黄色直播 has been an amazing experience, and I will always hold the Maritimes close to me!鈥�

Before he begins his career on either side of the Atlantic, though, O鈥機onnor is eager to graduate, and to make good on his IOU. 鈥淭he actual piece of paper has travelled across the globe with me,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t is with great pleasure that I can return it to Katie this summer!鈥�