Dr. Mitali De strikes a balance and makes a difference

Women around the world are trying to climb the corporate ladder to prove that they’re capable of doing and achieving anything that their male counterparts are normally expected to do. There are several successful women right here on campus and at SBE, including Dr. Mitali De who has been the Associate Dean of Business: Academic Programs for the past ten years. She holds a PhD and a MASc from the University of Waterloo, and a MSc from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). She is also heavily involved in the community, serving on the Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, as well as coordinating and teaching for the Bengali Language Program, which she initiated in 1988. In 2006, Dr. De received the Professional Woman of the Year Award from the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce. Atrium Magazine sat down with Dr. De to learn more about her success and insights.

Maryam Khan: What are some of the things you did before becoming an SBE Manager?

Dr. Mitali De: I focused on higher education and schooling before coming to Canada from India, 32 years ago. Obtaining a graduate degree from IIT was the highlight of my education in India. Since IIT is considered as the premiere engineering/science and technology university of India, securing admission to IIT is extremely competitive. (Less than 1% of people writing the entrance exam are admitted). Therefore, it was important to be focused. I worked at a Canadian bank for 5 years before deciding to pursue a full academic career.

MK: Do you consider yourself to be a career-oriented woman?

MD: Yes, but I appreciate balance, as well, in life. I make sure I make time for family, friends and community involvement.

MK: How do you handle family and work?

MD: I find that I have to be extremely organized and plan ahead, anticipating time pressures. I suppose this habit really took shape when I was a graduate student completing my second Masters degree and my Doctoral degree in Canada, with a young child (one and half year old) along with a new born child.

MK: Describe some of the advancement opportunities that you want to take up?

MD: Due to globalization, migration of human capital is on the rise. However, I find more and more qualified professionals aren’t being utilized fully for both the benefit of the individuals and the economy they exist in. As an educator, I would like to contribute more to resolution of this global problem.

MK: Who do you consider your role model?

MD: In India, during the 1970s, women with business/political leadership and higher education aspirations faced many obstacles if they wanted to move ahead with their goals and ambitions. There were few women who overcame the constraints of the times and made an impact on society by achieving leadership roles. I always had high regard for these women.

MK: Usually students face the trauma of uncertainty. Some always know right from the start what they want to become, while others can’t make up their mind. What advice would you like to give these students to guide them towards success?

MD: In a highly competitive and sometimes uncertain environment, there is no place for mediocrity. Therefore, a good strategy is to be the best in whatever one chooses to do, and opportunities evolve thereafter.