Science student transitions into the business field

Victoria Coates | Hamilton, ON | Posted on October 26, 2011

Melody Ng

September 12th marks the first day of classes for Melody Ng as she starts the MBA program at the DeGroote School of Business; but it is also the day she will defend her thesis for a masters in a different subject. Science.

Ng has been working on a master of science at McMaster University for the past two years. Her research has been focused in pediatrics where she has been performing a clinical study to examine nutrition and bone health. Enjoying her scientific research, Ng envisioned herself pursuing a PhD. However when her PhD could not be fulfilled, she started to explore other options.

Having completed her undergraduate degree in nutrition and nutraceutical sciences at the University of Guelph before pursuing graduate studies in science, Ng never considered studying business. It wasn't until she discovered the health services management stream of the MBA program at DeGroote that she decided to switch from science into the business field.

"I was very intrigued by the MBA program offered at DeGroote. It seemed like the perfect fit for me with the unique specialization of health services management coupled with Co-op," says Ng. "A hospital is an organization and has the same need for management as other corporations, and this is a practical program that can lead me to that field."

With only a month to go before the deadline for applications, Ng set to work to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and get the appropriate references so she could be admitted to the MBA program at DeGroote.

"What I'm most excited for are the work terms because I will be getting valuable work experience in the health industry. I think it will be great to be in the business world because it allows you some creativity, while science is more content based," says Ng. "And of course I'm looking forward to being at the Ron Joyce Centre. It's a great new building and I'm really excited that there has been such an effort to be environmentally friendly."

Ng will start the program in September at DeGroote's Burlington campus, the Ron Joyce Centre, which recently received a LEED certification of gold for environmental sustainability. As for after graduation, Ng hopes a work term will lead her to a career in hospital management where she will be able to combine her science and business expertise.