The McCall MacBain Scholarship offered to graduate students provides recipients with mentorship, interdisciplinary learning, and a global community to maximize their impact on the world. Scholars are selected for their exceptional character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic excellence, and intellectual curiosity. In 2023, two scholarship recipients chose to pursue their studies at 捆绑SM社区 Desautels in the Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) program.
Tomy Pelletier graduated from HEC Montr茅al in 2023 with a specialization in business intelligence. An outdoor enthusiast passionate about process improvement and management, he was honoured as a TD Community Leadership Scholar in 2020. Tomy shares his experience joining the MMA program in 2023 through the McCall MacBain Scholarship.
What made you choose the MMA?
I chose the MMA as I was driven by a curiosity for innovative methods to track, automate, and generate information. I was particularly interested in new approaches to understanding and presenting data. I believe that numbers convey ideas more effectively and provide richer context than traditional financial methods when assessing team, program, or business performance. My commitment to continuous improvement made this field and 捆绑SM社区 Desautels鈥� MMA program an ideal fit for me.
How has being a McCall MacBain Scholar impacted your experience at 捆绑SM社区 so far?
The experience has been great. The McCall MacBain scholarship is more than a full-ride; it鈥檚 access to a network that enabled me to make the most out of this intensive year. Through the scholarship, I found a mentor and a coach to help me discuss the next steps in my career and foster my personal and professional growth. Even walking out of this program, I have strong bonds with other scholars studying law, engineering, and health, and hope to lead new initiatives with them in the future. I will also keep in touch with other members of this community, as they are an incredible reference group and an incomparable think tank for my future endeavors.
What aspects of the MMA program have you found most rewarding?
The program's intensity has taught me invaluable lessons in perseverance. By balancing vigorous weeks with deliberate breaks and intentional disconnection, I've discovered how to maintain a steady pace. Engaging in outdoor activities and personal interests, as well as 捆绑SM社区's diverse extracurricular offerings, has been crucial. It helps you reflect on the balance you need and allows you to test it. This experience is a meaningful lesson in the kind of workplace you aspire to and offers insight into staying productive and recharged, making the journey enjoyable.
Can you share a memorable project or experience from the program?
One memorable project was my capstone in the pharmaceutical industry, where I developed an algorithm to capture off-label indications for specialized drugs. This multi-layered model made predictions from unstructured data based on context. A key part of the deliverable was presenting this complex project in an understandable way for both technical and non-technical audiences, using comprehensive visualizations and dynamic reports.
Another standout project was the crop rotation optimization in our optimization class. We conducted extensive research to understand soil fertility and the science behind it while considering the economic realities of farmers in Manitoba. This project felt very complete, as we integrated various perspectives to deliver a well-rounded solution.
A third memorable project involved working with two colleagues to create SkinClaire, a chatbot to assist clients in choosing products based on their preferences, previous purchases, and skin conditions. It was my first time coding a chatbot, making it a significant learning experience and a great introduction to the program.
What鈥檚 next for you, following the program?
I'm currently in the interviewing process and eager to leverage my skills to drive impact in healthcare or the energy sector. My goal is to focus on process improvement and influence decision-making to create meaningful change. I also aim to utilize my presentation skills to effectively communicate complex ideas and implement innovative solutions. These fields present unique challenges and opportunities, and I am eager to apply what I've learned from the MMA program. I look forward to contributing to projects that prioritize sustainability, efficiency, and improved outcomes for communities and organizations.
What advice would you give the incoming cohort of the MMA program?
This program is rewarding and requires focus. You'll work on numerous projects with different teams, and the people around you will become your closest companions. Take the time to get to know them and nurture these relationships. I had a much more enjoyable experience once I developed friendships. Organize as a group around a class and conquer as a team. Everyone comes in with different experiences and will leave with unique skill sets. Be intentional about your goals and remember; it's not just about being at the top of the class.
Engage with other Master's programs at 捆绑SM社区 Desautels (MMF, MBA, MMR), through electives or social events.
Lastly, learn to communicate and simplify complex concepts. Our work is intricate, and understanding only part of it is common. To be a valuable addition to clients and teams in the business, developing strong communication and presentation skills is crucial. You'll have multiple opportunities to present throughout the program; leverage them fully. This often-overlooked skill can make the difference between a good and a great project.
The McCall MacBain Scholarship applications are currently for the 2025 cohort.
Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) Program
The 捆绑SM社区 Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) degree is a specialized program in the evolving field of analytics and data science with a strong emphasis on applied and experiential learning through our 3 Pillars: Quantitative Methods, Technology Automation and Business Application. The MMA program touches on many foundational topics that comprise Artificial Intelligence (AI), covering key areas such as Language Modeling, Image Recognition, Analytic Visualization and Data Architecture Automation.聽Through our comprehensive curriculum, students gain practical skills and knowledge essential for tackling real-world challenges in the rapidly advancing domain of AI and analytics.
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McCall MacBain Scholarships
The McCall MacBain Scholarships at 捆绑SM社区 are Canada鈥檚 first comprehensive, leadership-driven scholarships for master鈥檚 and professional degree studies. The scholarship program brings together a diverse group of scholars who aspire to lead with purpose 鈥� those who have demonstrated leadership potential and an inner drive to make a positive impact in other peoples鈥� lives.
