Sahar Taher used a MSc in Management to move into consulting roles, bringing the unique perspective of her psychology background with her
A background in psychology might be an unusual route into consulting jobs, but for Sahar Taher, it sparked a fascination with leadership and organizational culture that led first to a MSc in Management, then to a job with EY’s workforce advisory team.
With a bachelor’s in psychology, Sahar first entered the corporate world through a sales role with media and information company, Marcus Evans.
At the same time, she wanted to delve deeper into organizational behavior, and decided to study the MSc in Management at Concordia University’s alongside the role.
The program would allow her to remain in Montreal, and stood out for the freedom it offered to tailor the learning experience to her specific interests.
Building a toolkit for business
At John Molson, Sahar developed a broad business toolkit. Core courses in statistics and research methodology built the foundations for her thesis, and the technical aspects of her work with EY.
Sahar’s thesis focused on the perception of narcissism in leaders, and she was able to build close ties with her thesis supervisor, Dr Kathleen Boies.
Making connections like this—with professors, peers, and local industry leaders—was a particular highlight for Sahar.
“John Molson was such a good business school in terms of exposing us to local business,” she says. “There was something happening on campus almost every day.”
Attending business school also offered Sahar a well-rounded group of peers. In Sahar’s cohort alone were biologists, engineers, biochemists, and more—a diverse cohort that made for some engaging discussions in the classroom.
“It was so interesting to me that all these people were taking the same classes as you—discussing the same ideas, but with such different approaches,” Sahar recalls.
Discovering consulting
Sahar’s time at JMSB also opened up a new career avenue: consulting.
Although she was aware of consulting when she came to John Molson, Sahar’s time at the school encouraged her to give this career path serious consideration.
Being exposed to professional consultants, Sahar began to see parallels between the work consultants do, and the work a psychologist does.
“It’s all about listening, understanding where someone is coming from, and finding a way to creatively solve problems,” she says.
“In consulting, you also have a voice from day one,” she adds. “That meshed very well with me.”
Sahar’s first taste of consulting came while she was writing her master’s thesis. Canadian National, one of Canada’s top transportation and railway companies, were looking for independent consultants to work on a large-scale succession plan, which involved building a brand new team.
Thanks to the analytical skills Sahar had developed at John Molson, and the leadership focus of her thesis, she secured a role.
“I really enjoyed the autonomy and independence of that role, because you’re a free agent but still working as part of a team,” she recalls.
Once the project was over, CN offered her a promotion and a new role, but she decided to explore other firms—which led to her current job at EY.
Shaping the future of work
Consulting is a popular career path for business school grads, and to stand out in the interview process you need to differentiate yourself.
For Sahar, this meant combining the business acumen she had acquired at John Molson School of Business with her humanities background.
“Having the opportunity to explore ideas creatively, and having that personal connection with professors and industry leaders at John Molson, really helped me to develop my own personal brand,” she reflects.
EY are currently supporting Sahar as she completes a coaching certificate through John Molson.
“Ultimately, I want to become a C-suite professional coach,” she explains. “That way I’m leveraging my psychology background to address the organizational needs that are emerging right now.”
In the face of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, Sahar is already addressing these needs. As part of EY’s People Advisory Services group, she is helping companies review their overall people strategy, and planning ahead for what a “new normal” might look like for the Canadian workforce.
She and her team are considering current changes like virtual leadership, culture, total rewards, strategic workforce planning, and mental health and wellbeing concerns in a post-covid world. The project is part of EY’s new strategy—called “Now, Next, and Beyond.”
“Right now, a lot of our clients are having difficulty imagining what this new normal is going to look like, and how it’s going to be managed,” she explains. “We are trying to help clients determine a change framework that works for them.”
So far, Sahar has found her work with EY highly rewarding. She plans to remain with the firm to take advantage of upcoming opportunities in leadership and professional coaching.
With the skills and network she developed during her MSc at John Molson Sahar is confident that she can achieve her coaching certification, and help leaders and their organizations adapt in the future.
Student Reviews
Concordia University: John Molson School of Business
Educational advancement
My time at Concordia College has been set apart by huge self-awareness. The steady instructors and staff have assisted me with fostering my abilities and information. The college offers a scope of administrations and extracurricular exercises, giving various open doors to understudies to reach out. In general, my involvement with Concordia has been positive and improving.
My growth
"My time at Concordia University has been marked by significant personal growth. The supportive teachers and staff have helped me to develop my skills and knowledge. The university offers a range of services and extracurricular activities, providing numerous opportunities for students to get involved. Overall, my experience at Concordia has been positive and enriching.
Communications and Culture Studies
I am currently enrolled in my first year in the Communication and Culture studies program. I have met so many incredible people and have already acquired skills that I will serve me in my professional career. The courses are dynamic, engaging and intellectually stimulating. I am happy to be a student at this university and look forward to the next 2 years here!
Significant advancements
Having attended Concordia University, I can confidently state that I have seen significant advancements in my skills. The faculty and staff demonstrate great thoughtfulness and provide effective support. Additionally, the university offers an abundance of student clubs and services.
Master of Quality Systems Engineering
I completed my Master's in Quality Systems Engineering at Concordia University, where I gained a comprehensive understanding of quality management principles and methodologies. The program provided a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, including coursework in statistical process control, Six Sigma, and Lean principles.
I engaged in hands-on projects addressing real-world quality challenges, collaborated with experienced faculty, and conducted independent research. This experience has equipped me with the skills and expertise needed to contribute effectively to organizations seeking to enhance their quality control processes and achieve operational excellence.
Awesome
The Communication program at Concordia University will prepare you for the future. The program is divided in two blocks: one more theoretical, from which you learn the concept of communications through the perspective of philosophy, history and social studies; another completely hands-on in which you learn how to produce media choosing from three streams; sound, moving images, intermedia. What I love about the communication program at Concordia is that the teachers are clever, up to date, and exited about putting the future in the hands of students. Not only there is so much to learn in the communication program, but there are also so many opportunities!
Concordia is best
Concordia university is one of the top listed universities not just in Canada but worldwide. The most amazing thing about this university is it is a standalone English speaking university in Montreal that allows non francophone students to enrol and study efficiently. My program is beautifully designed with access to high quality classrooms and faculty members that are available every time to attend your queries. The huge campus of the University including the library allows students to indulge in group work and research programs. The administration staff is super supportive and polite in their conversations. I have had the most amazing experience studying at Concordia so far.
Entrepreneurship and Marketing
I had the privilege of being a part of Ryerson University's Entrepreneurship and Marketing program, and it was an outstanding experience. The program's curriculum was well-designed, providing a perfect balance of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical application. The faculty members were highly knowledgeable and supportive, creating an engaging learning environment. The program's emphasis on industry connections and experiential learning opened doors to valuable internships and co-op opportunities. The resources and facilities dedicated to the program were top-notch, allowing me to explore my passion and excel in my studies. I am grateful for the real-world skills and industry connections I gained through the program. Ryerson University's Entrepreneurship and Marketing truly prepared me for a successful career in the business world. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a transformative educational experience.
Integrated Student Life
Concordia University has done a fantastic job at providing on-campus activities and workshops for students to feel connected and less lonely in stressful times. My program, Human Relations highlights this perfectly as a human relations student to be able to see the effects these workshops have on our beings and our mental and physical health as well. The student Life at Concordia has allowed our school to feel more like a community than a school.
Study review
As a graduate student in the doctoral program in chemical engineering at Concordia University, I would rate the program as highly commendable. Although, the academic experience has been rigorous, challenging, and intellectually stimulating, providing a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of chemical engineering principles.
However, my ongoing program has been equally rewarding and has equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in academia and industry.
Amazing
In general, I love my university. It's a true representation of diversity, with students from all around the world. The system is incredibly organized, with everything functioning seamlessly, from the structure to the services.
