On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, a special lecture was held at Okayama University of Science, featuring Ms. Monica Malone, a participant in Stanford University’s MBA program (GMIX). The event took place in the conference room on the 10th floor of Building A1 at the Okayama Campus.

Ms. Malone, who earned her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering, has built a unique career by working in a completely different field before returning to graduate school. In her talk, she spoke about the importance of saying “YES” to new opportunities, learning from people you admire, and keeping an open mind toward personal growth. She also invited students to reflect on their own paths by posing thought-provoking questions.

Questions such as “Who is someone you admire, and why?” and “What is something you are glad you said ‘Yes’ to?” encouraged students to think about their own experiences. One student shared that she admires her aunt, who continues to pursue learning even past the age of 60, and hopes to live in the same way. Another reflected on saying “yes” to traveling abroad alone as a middle school student at the invitation of a teacher, noting that the challenge became a valuable experience she hopes to pass on to her future students.

The session concluded with an activity in which students considered the question, “Where do you want to be in 5–10 years?” This exercise gave participants an opportunity to envision their future goals and renew their motivation.

Ms. Malone’s words and questions provided students with meaningful insights to reconsider their own careers and ways of life. Okayama University of Science will continue to support students’ global growth through opportunities to engage with individuals active on the world stage.