| Job Title: | Account Executive |
| Employer: | Microsoft |
| Grad Year: | 2013 |
| Degree(s): | M. Business Administration |
| Major(s): | International Business (BComm) |
| Expertise: | Business to Business Sales and Marketing |
| Industry: | Information Technology and Services |
What makes you a good mentor?
I learned how to navigate Carleton very well by building strong networks with both students and staff but I wasn't ready for the post-grad transition. Everyone faces challenges during a transition, but I wish I would have had someone with experience to set realistic expectations of what was waiting for me in the 'real world' and help guide me. Having worked in the public sector, private sector, and started my own company, my experience is multi-dimensional. One great piece of advice I'd like to highlight is that being smart and having good grades just aren't enough. Extracurricular activities are not only what get you noticed by employers initially but their visibility once hired are essential to accelerate growth within organizations.
About Sohail Manoussi
Sohail is both a Bachelor of Commerce and MBA graduate with concentrations in International Business from Carleton University. During his undergrad he participated in an academic exchange and studied abroad in Paris, France for one year. During his MBA Sohail was elected the President of the Sprott MBA Society where he managed student run initiatives, competed in national business case competitions across Canada, and was a teaching assistant all while maintaining academic honors in the rigorous program with an active lifestyle.
Sohail is fluent in English, French, Persian, and conversational in Spanish.
Sohail was recruited by Microsoft into the Microsoft Academy of College Hires (MACH) MBA program, an elite global MBA graduate development program which accelerates the career growth of the future leaders in the company. At Microsoft, Sohail has been working as an Account Executive for the past five years selling to the Canadian Federal Government and empowering the digital transformation of Canada’s public sector. This past year Sohail helped sign the largest the largest deal in the history of Microsoft Canada valued at over $1billion with the Canadian Federal government.
Prior to Microsoft, Sohail’s work experience included diverse positions across sectors including public, private, crown corporation, and entrepreneurship. Sohail was an Assistant Manager of Digital Product Development at Canada Post where he commercialized digital assets, a Modernization Officer at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (now ESDC) where he led change management initiatives, and he was also a principal in a 3D printing targeted management consulting startup, Mobius 3D.
In his spare time Sohail stays active with daily fitness, enjoys culinary experiences, and continues his world travel adventures which included running with the bulls during the festival of San Fermin in Pamplona, Spain.