Lazaridis MBA grad talks about how she inspires other young women to pursue STEM fields

Nov. 16, 2020

We sat down with Matty Mayakrishnan, graduate of the full-time, one-year Lazaridis Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in 2015, to talk about her passion for advancing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), her experience in the Master of Business Administration program, and her career progression since graduation.

Recently, she was featured in the 2021 “See it, Be it, STEM it” calendar along with 11 other inspiring women in Canada. Mayakrishnan said on her LinkedIn post “this is an initiative that is very close to my heart -- empowering young girls to pursue education and careers in STEM.”

With a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Mayakrishnan tells us more about her love for technology and the work she is doing to advance more interest among young women in STEM fields.

Meet Matty:

Who: Matty Mayakrishnan

Graduate of: Lazaridis Master of Business Administration full-time, one-year program in Waterloo, class of 2015

What she’s up to now: Marketing Communications Manager, Experiential Marketing Lead for Microsoft in Toronto

On a personal note: In addition to her work at Microsoft, she is also a mentor to many young women currently pursuing or interested in STEM programs or an MBA. In her spare time, she loves interior design and spending time with her husband and dog.

Lazaridis: What have you been doing since graduation?

Matty:  I joined as a Marketing Manager at Microsoft and have been there for the last five years since graduation. I’m in my second role at Microsoft as the Experiential Marketing Lead dedicated to bringing technical upskilling for our customers. Outside of work, I like to mentor young women that are currently in or interested in STEM or pursuing their MBA.

Lazaridis: How has your MBA degree helped you in your career?

Matty:  The MBA has helped me to develop ‘soft skills’ that have enabled me to be a strong leader in my organization. I will always credit my MBA for providing me with a strong skillset in project management, stakeholder management, public speaking, team management and much more.

Lazaridis: What advice would you give to prospective Lazaridis MBA candidates thinking about whether or not to choose Laurier and/or whether or not to choose an MBA? 

Matty: I would say that Laurier would be a great choice for you for the following reasons:

If you are looking for a ‘community feel’:

• You will be on a first-name basis with the Lazaridis MBA professors and staff. They are truly an amazing group of individuals that truly care about the wellbeing and success of their students.

Variety of course content and skill development:

• From mergers and acquisitions to hands-on consulting with real clients, you will have a variety of course offerings that tailor to your specific needs and interests.
• The hands-on learning opportunity provided by Lazaridis MBA will help you build your skills in public speaking, working with teams, conflicts and negotiation, and much more. 

Opportunities outside of class:

• There are opportunities through multiple clubs and programs to enhance your learning outside of the classroom. To name a few: MBA Student Association, Graduate Business Council, exchange programs with partner schools all over the world.

Lazaridis: What advice would you give to students about Live ICE?

Matty: It’s not easy! It truly challenges you to think about every aspect of the business and allows you to provide a concrete solution to a business problem. It also enables you to develop strong skills in team management and conflict resolution which are key skills needed in a managerial role. 

Lazaridis: What was your favourite MBA class?

Matty: The most challenging yet most rewarding class in my opinion was BU641: Mergers & Acquisitions; I continue to recommend this course to anyone pursuing their MBA.

Lazaridis:  Tell us how you went from a Math degree to Marketing?

Matty: During my undergraduate career, I landed marketing internships, which kick-started my love for marketing. I believe my math degree provides me with a strong foundation in business, especially when it comes to analytical thinking. Marketing has provided me with the creative outlet I’ve always needed.

Lazaridis: When did you first become interested in math and was there a moment when you knew you’d go into a STEM field?

Matty: I loved mathematics as a subject when I was in high school and it was the main reason I decided to do this degree. When I was younger, I taught myself how to code and math seemed like the logical next step to further pursue this passion. The notion of “STEM” wasn’t defined when I was younger. I only experienced the lack of women in those fields when I started my undergraduate degree.

Lazaridis: Why do you think there aren’t a lot of women in STEM?

Matty: I believe that there is not enough education in the opportunities that STEM can bring. There is still a lot of work to be done to change the mindset of women being the primary caregiver at home and that women should be taking on a “simpler” and “easier” job.

Lazaridis: What do you think we, as a society, can do to close the gap and encourage more women to pursue STEM fields?

Matty: The key is to influence and create education for girls when they are in school. The See It Be It STEM It initiative focuses on just that. My ultimate goal with the work that I do for STEM is to inspire parents and teachers so that they can promote STEM fields at home and in school.

Lazaridis: What's next on the horizon?

Matty:  I love working for Microsoft and will continue to do so for the near future. I’m exploring different roles and looking for the next role I’d like to make an impact in.  I would also love to take my hobbies further. I have a passion for interior design and I am working on bringing this to life to help others create unique spaces that they love.

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The Lazaridis MBA program is offered in Waterloo and Toronto in six formats to fit your life and career goals. To learn more, visit our website.