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career options careeroptionsmagazine.com/MBA FALL 2013

Helping students find the MBA program and post-MBA career that is right for them.

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Today’s MBA students come from all backgrounds

17 Networking 2.0: Social media strategies to make an impression

21 How to sell your

MBA education to employers

Invest in yourself: the business case for MBA studies With profiles of top Canadian business schools

e Flip tzhine a mag ore for meer Car ns! Optio

career options FALL 2013

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On average, the return on investment in an MBA degree can be seen in four years or less

6 ThE MBA

An investment in your future By Tess Allen

11 Opening

career paths Why students from all disciplines are pursuing MBAs By Kayla Redstone

17 25 MBA Networking Online MBA 2.0: How to use social media to build valuable connections

How to study from a distance By ACCESS MBA Tour

By Danielle Klassen

21 Landing a job

after graduation Advice from MBA experts and grads By Meagan Campbell

We Would Like to Thank Our Advertisers… 10 Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre, University of Waterloo

27 Royal Roads University

2 Hult International Business School

16 Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University

4 IE Business School

7 Thompson Rivers University

20 International University of Monaco (IUM)

5 University of New Brunswick, Fredericton

9 Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria

24 University of New Brunswick, Saint John

28 QS Fairs

15 Vancouver Island University, Faculty of Management

3, 18 SchoolFinder Group 13 Scotiabank

23 Rivier University

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Three tips to get the most out of your MBA What is the value of an MBA? Some U.S. institutions are struggling to fill their programs—is this an indication that the MBA is a “bad investment”? As CACEE President and the Director, Centre for Business Career Development at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University —and an MBA grad myself—I believe that the MBA degree is still the right graduate program to effectively springboard your career. The ultimate value you take away from an MBA is up to you, however, so here are three “value-add” tips:

Choose wisely. There are over 30 MBA programs across Canada, and hundreds worldwide. To help you choose the right program, you need to ask yourself: why do I want to pursue an MBA? What is my end goal? And which schools will best position me to succeed? And then the work begins, from the application and admissions process, to the GMAT preparation and, of course, the rigor of the MBA itself. The program requirements are structured to build your knowledge, develop new skills and stretch your capacity—all in the interest of making you market-ready. Reflect frequently. Many students enter an MBA believing they know their ideal career path. But, in truth, once you start to learn more about different business functions, you may start to rethink your career strategy. Be open to new ideas, companies and experiences. This will allow you to assess your ‘fit’ with various cultures and positions. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Make mistakes and try again. This is how you grow. Your failures will help you make better decisions —and they make great interview stories during the recruitment process! Optimize your experience. Some may argue with me, but getting high grades is not the ultimate goal for an MBA student. While employers may request your transcript, they want to assess you, your skills and your style to ensure strong alignment with the role, the team and the organization. So, ensure that you are engaging in your student experience BOTH inside and outside the classroom. Student clubs, volunteer experiences and extra-curricular activities truly make a difference when positioning your brand to employers. You will only have one MBA experience, so use all the resources available to you: your career centre, faculty, peers, the business community. These people are all waiting to help you succeed. And, of course, there are many other resources with expert knowledge just waiting to be shared. Career Options MBA is just one example that can provide some answers to your questions. Read it, dog-ear the pages, follow up with companies that interest you or for more expert information, learn more online at www.careeroptionsmagazine.com/mba. CO Jennifer McCleary, MBA, Director, Centre for Business Career Development, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, and CACEE President


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careerop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA

By Tess Allen

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t’s an achievement recognized the world over, a degree with a reputation for launching graduates straight into success. People from all educational and career backgrounds are pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) for a whole range of reasons: some want a boost on the career ladder; others want to learn business skills to start their own companies. Whatever the reason, there’s no question about an MBA’s value.

Why get an MBA? “An MBA is seen as one of the most prestigious and sought-after degrees in the world because of its versatility and application of business and management principles that can be applied to a variety of real-world business situations,” says Teresa Pires, assistant director of recruitment and admissions at Queen’s School of Business.

An MBA is seen as one of the most prestigious and sought-after degrees in the world. An MBA is designed to develop tomorrow’s exceptional leaders, valuable team members and highly effective managers by instilling in


students a wide variety of essential skills. Among other benefits, MBAs offer students the opportunity to sharpen their managerial skills as well as the flexibility to pursue a full slate of different careers. The hands-on approach in which an MBA is taught makes for an especially valuable learning experience, through work placements and other collaborations with companies. “Unlike many other disciplines, an MBA is very applied. It’s very difficult to learn about this if it’s not in an environment where practitioners and experts and academics are together,” says Murtaza Haider, associate dean of the MBA program at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management. “When you become part of this learning exercise and community, you see the other side before you join the other side.”

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Successful MBA students can increase their salary potential and get ahead in whatever career they choose to pursue, says Pires. “MBA graduates are typically eligible for jobs that would not otherwise be an option to those that hold only a high school diploma or undergraduate degree. An MBA degree is almost a necessity in today’s business world,” she says, noting that some companies will not even consider applicants who lack an MBA. “In most cases, an MBA degree is required for executive and senior management positions. People who hold an MBA degree will find that there are many different types of employment opportunities that are available to them domestically and internationally.” One of the most crucial skills that MBA students learn over the course of their studies is how to manage people, says Haider. He calls an MBA “empowering.” “An undergraduate degree has told students nothing about how to manage people. An MBA fills that void,” says Haider. “MBA students learn about how to manage conflict between individuals and organizations. They also learn how to be ethical and responsible, not just to people and employees, but also to the environment.” Vern Jones, associate dean of graduate programs at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business, says an MBA is about strategic and critical thinking. “Our program is geared toward different markets, and in many cases toward people who have degrees other than business and want to acquire the skills and the knowledge to enter the business world,” says Jones. “Often they are working in a business or they want a more managerial approach or a more senior approach, so they learn how to think strategically and learn the qualities of leadership that take you further up into an organization.” Since good teamwork is often very important in the business world, the Queen’s MBA program has a team-based approach that Pires says mirrors a real-life work environment. Students gain valuable insight into today’s progressive workplace while learning from peers, she says. “You will leave the program with a thorough understanding of the best practices for successful team-building and teamwork, well-prepared to be a valuable member of a high-performance team.”

that it has become a pillar of the Haskayne MBA: “It resonates really well with Calgary because there are so many small businesses, so many people who are very entrepreneurial. We’re trying to enhance the capacity.”

How to get in

GMAC statistics show that, on average, the return on investment in an MBA degree can be seen in four years or less.

MBA programs differ in their application requirements. Some programs expect a few years of real-world experience before allowing entry into the program, and some permit students to study right after their undergrad. Queen’s, like many other MBA schools, accepts individuals from diverse backgrounds, ages and levels of work experience. They ask for a minimum of two years of post-graduate work experience so students can “draw from some form of professional knowledge that can be transferable in a classroom but also within their teams in order to help them achieve success,” says Pires. “We feel that work experience plays a large role in our teaching methodology as students gain valuable knowledge from their peers through the global experiences that they bring with them when they come to our program.”

So, where are the jobs? MBA graduates can end up working in a vast number of fields, including finance, management consulting, energy and minerals, consumer products, technology, the public sector (education and health care) and marketing, among many others. GMAC statistics show that, on average, the return on investment in an MBA degree can be seen in four years or less. At Queen’s, a full 94 percent of MBA alumni are employed at six months after graduation, and averaging salaries of $80,000 to $100,000.

Types of programs

Entrepreneurship is another skill that students pick up during their MBA education. Jones says

MBA programs come in all shapes and sizes, but they often start out with the basics and then lead into studying a specialized area of business. For example, the Queen’s MBA program comprises two modules: the Foundations Level, which provides an overview of business fundamentals, and Mastery, which enables you to choose an area of specialization. Upon completion of your MBA, you may then choose to advance to the Expert level by pursuing a second Master’s degree in this specialization.

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Also worth noting is the distinction between MBAs and Executive MBAs. Haskayne offers both programs, and each is geared toward different demographics. “The academic requirements for the program are very similar but the actual execution of the program changes quite a bit,” says Jones. Executive MBAs are targeted to senior executives with years of work experience, who often continue to work throughout their studies.

“The continuing healthy demand for MBA graduates and the significant pay increases they achieve confirm that MBA degrees remain the gold standard of graduate management education —and that the MBA is still extremely relevant for today’s business leaders,” says Pires. While the importance and relevance of an MBA seems to change periodically through the years, Jones says he has recently seen a surge in Calgary employers seeking MBA graduates.

“We’re finding here that the MBA has a lot of traction in Calgary where it didn’t used to so much. We’re finding that there’s been a bit of shift in the marketplace from the below-ground skills to above-ground skills. The kinds of skills that traditionally have been taught in an MBA program have become quite a bit more important,” he says.

able to function at an executive level; they want to impact the leadership, the strategic thinking inside the company. An MBA opens those doors for them.” Whatever MBA program you choose to pursue, one thing is for certain: the skills you will acquire over the course of your MBA will prepare you for just about anything. CO

“People come here partly because they like our program and partly because the job market in Calgary is very strong. We even have an employment office that helps students find job opportunities,” says Jones.

Tess Allen is a third-year journalism and communications student at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She is a columnist and freelancer for the Moncton Times & Transcript and is the current

Seasoned MBA graduates have a variety of doors opened up for them post-graduation, says Jones, including opportunities in sectors like telecommunications, finance and transportation. He also says there are a number of reasons students opt for an MBA.

arts reporter for The Brunswickan, Canada’s oldest official student newspaper.

For more information, please visit: business.queensu.ca, ryerson.ca/mba, haskayne.ucalgary.ca, careeroptionsmagazine.com/mba

“Often those people who seek an MBA are seeking it as a way to more effectively lead their organizations. People want the education to be


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By Kayla Redstone

Opening career paths Why students from all disciplines are pursuing MBAs


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f you’re thinking of applying to MBA programs but feel discouraged because you haven’t taken business courses before, you’ll be surprised to hear that the majority of students in some of Canada’s top business schools don’t come from business backgrounds. For many students, earning an MBA is a great way to broaden their career options, regardless of their undergraduate degree. “The reason that the MBA is becoming and continues to become so sought after is that it allows you to move functions, move industries, and it allows you to have some credentials that are known and respected in different areas,” says Niki da Silva, director of recruitment and admissions for the full-time MBA program at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. In fact, engineering students make up the largest part of some full-time MBA programs: they comprise over one-third of the class of 2014 at both Rotman’s and University of British Columbia’s MBA programs. Engineers have become more interested in MBA programs because they are exposed to financial assessments when they work on consulting assignments, says Marja Harmer, who provides career guidance to MBA students at UBC’s Sauder School of Business. “If you don’t have a business degree, they have to hire someone else to do that work,” she says. A great number of students entering MBA studies also come from life sciences, computer science, and arts and humanities backgrounds. For these students, an MBA can mean opening the door to new positions in their field, acquiring the skills to develop an entrepreneurial idea, or changing careers altogether, says Harmer.

Graham Huber, a second-year MBA student at Rotman, graduated from York University with a bachelor of design in 2004. After working as a designer at various companies and then eventually on his own, he discovered that his graphic design skills alone weren’t enough for him to serve his clients’ needs. “My role was increasingly less about the graphics and aesthetics and much more about brand positioning and competitive strategy,” says Huber.

How your inexperience can help you A lack of business education won’t hinder you in your MBA studies— in fact, it might even help you make the most of an MBA. Da Silva says there’s tremendous value in having students with diverse backgrounds in the program. She says students are there to challenge each other and share the “different lenses they have to look at the world” to help solve problems. That type of peer-to-peer learning won’t work without a diversity of students from different backgrounds. Furthermore, da Silva says coming to the program from another discipline can give students a clean slate for learning the concepts, whereas business students might be constrained by fixed ideas formed during their undergraduate studies. “[Coming from a business education], you sometimes miss an opportunity to step back and reframe the problem, reframe the question and understand from a broader perspective what’s really trying to be demonstrated in class,” she says. Diversifying your education could also have long-term advantages, says Harmer. “I would think that when you have two different disciplines in your past you have really strong positioning opportunities afterwards,” she says.

“For these students, an MBA can mean opening the door to new positions in their field, acquiring the skills to develop an entrepreneurial idea, or changing careers altogether.”

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MBA EMPLOYER Profile A dvertorial

S cotiaban k

Feel the pulse of the global economy at Canada’s most international bank Summer Positions:

Starting your career at Scotiabank’s Global Banking and Markets division as either a summer associate or post-MBA hire means you are working for one of the most reputable banks in North America. In fact, The Banker magazine named Scotiabank its 2012 “Global Bank of the Year” and “Bank of the Year for the Americas.” Since 1832, Scotiabank has strived to be the best at helping our customers achieve wealth and prosperity. This is the goal that all of our people work toward, from our front line of tellers to our award-winning analysts and economists. Scotiabank’s Global Banking and Markets division provides a full range of corporate and investment banking and capital markets products and services to help meet the financing and strategic development needs of our clients, including mergers and acquisitions, institutional equity sales, trading and research, debt products, derivatives, foreign exchange and bullion and base metals. Your career can develop in many different ways at Scotiabank—our structure is designed to encourage cross-selling, which means exposure to other products and departments, and cross-training opportunities. Training and career opportunities At Scotiabank, we truly believe in investing in your future. We’ve designed our training programs from the ground up, with an eye to prepare you for the challenges that lie ahead. All four of our summer associate streams provide hands-on learning and are designed to give you real responsibilities to help refine your skills right from the beginning of your career. New graduates may participate in the Capital Ideas Program, an intensive training program developed by the firm. The program is designed to orient participants to our culture, people, products and services, and to provide the soft and technical skills critical for success. We reward performance and provide advancement for strong contributors, along with competitive salaries. “Scotiabank has been a great place to work as it offers advancement opportunities. I learn new things every day and have the support I need to succeed.” Jansen Shrubb Rotman School of Management MBA 2011

• Equity Research (Toronto) – Perform financial analyses such as market comparisons, company valuations and financial modeling • Sales and Trading (Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and New York) – Equity sales and trading; fixed income; risk solutions; energy and agricultural commodities; global prime finance; debt capital markets; credit derivatives; emerging markets; relationship management • Investment Banking, Mergers and Acquisitions and Equity Capital Markets Rotation Program (Toronto and Montreal) – Debt and equity financings; mergers and acquisitions; financial advisory work; business development • Corporate Banking (Toronto and Vancouver) – Relationship management and credit-related activities in several industry sectors

Post-MBA Positions:

• Sales and Trading Associate Program – 12-16 month rotational program in sales, trading and risk management including an international rotation and potential for international placement • Investment Banking/Mergers and Acquisitions Associate • Equity Research Associate • Corporate Banking Associate

Locations:

Headquarters in Toronto, with locations in over 55 countries

Number of Employees:

Over 83,000 around the world

Contact Email: [email protected] Website: gbm.scotiabank.com/careers ™ Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia.


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“It is going to open up a world of opportunities that you probably don’t even know exist now, both in terms of careers and in terms of the limits and skills you didn’t even know you had.” Advice from the experts

What comes next?

Your mid- to late twenties are the ideal time to do an MBA, says Huber. In your twenties, your mind is still fresh and you’ll relate more to your peers, and you likely won’t have any serious commitments. However, he encourages potential candidates to work for a few years before entering the program, as most schools suggest, in order to gain real-world context that will enhance the lessons.

With your previous degree and MBA in hand, you will be armed with a variety of skills and interests that will help you find a job, whether it’s related to your initial field of study or a completely new direction.

Huber also cautions against paying too much attention to news articles that suggest the same business skills you acquire through an MBA can be learned through Internet courses or books. “What those articles tend to miss is that the inherent transformative value of the MBA is the experience itself,” he says. “It’s not necessarily all about the coursework.” It’s important to research every program you intend to apply to and understand what job outcomes you might expect after graduation, says Harmer. “It’s an expensive investment, so in any intake interview they want to hear the reasons why you want to do an MBA. Why does it make sense to you, and why does it make sense to your personality?” she says. Staying true to your personality is key. Da Silva says students from other disciplines often worry that their experience won’t be valued by the admissions committee, so they submit an application that doesn’t reflect who they are. The act can be tough to hold up throughout the application process and the program, she says. Students may face a similar problem when they see their MBA classmates paying attention to subjects or activities different from the ones they are interested in, she says. “Understand what it is that you’re looking to get out of the MBA and what your priorities are,” says da Silva. “It’s easy to be swayed by what other people are interested in and it might sound interesting and exciting, but at the end of the day it really isn’t you.”

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“It is going to open up a world of opportunities that you probably don’t even know exist now, both in terms of careers and in terms of the limits and skills you didn’t even know you had,” says da Silva. And for those who want to stay in their previous field, da Silva says, “The best advice is stick to your passions because if you do what you love, you’ll excel at it.” After graduation, Huber plans to continuing working in design, but with a twist. He’s now specializing in business design, which he says will help him delve deeper into business development, strategy, marketing and innovation when he graduates. He used to consider design to be about the visual aesthetic process. He says now he considers visual design to be one of many important aspects under the umbrella of business design. “[An MBA program] should be transformative,” he says. “You shouldn’t be the same person coming out of it.” CO

Kayla Redstone is a recent Carleton University journalism graduate. She is currently working as an English teaching assistant in Lyon, France, and she hopes to pursue a career in media upon her return to Canada next summer. For MORE information, please visit: rotman.utoronto.ca, sauder. ubc.ca, careeroptionsmagazine.com/mba


MBA School Profile A dvertorial

Vancouver I sland U niversity

An Internationally Recognized Dual MBA & MScIB Degree Programs with Global Mindset: Concurrent Canadian/British degrees (two degrees awarded) Specialization in Finance or Marketing Accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Authorized by the Degree Quality Assessment Board of the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education Global learning environment and new technologically enhanced facilities

Length of Program:

14 – 18 month program Includes a 4 month business internship

Tuition Fees:

Overview: Established in 1936 and located in the city of Nanaimo on Canada’s magnificent West Coast, Vancouver Island University is a public university offering an MBA degree in association with the University of Hertfordshire’s Master of Science in International Business (MScIB). The University of Hertfordshire recognizes this program as fulfilling the requirements of the UH MScIB degree. As a result, upon completion of the program, candidates will receive a Canadian MBA and a British MScIB from two public universities, opening up a world of opportunities. This powerful dual Canadian and British degree is highly sought after for its design, which reflects the core values of our two universities: teaching excellence, an applied focus, faculty/student interaction, a global learning environment, and a focus on educational and employment success for students from diverse backgrounds. Why VIU for your MBA? VIU has a global reputation for excellence and our graduates consistently give us top marks for quality of instruction. Each year, over 18,000 new and returning learners, including 1,700 international students, choose VIU for their education. VIU’s inspirational setting, small class sizes, and hands-on research offer students the opportunity to experience the best of both educational activities and student life. VIU is committed to ensure that students are supported, engaged and encouraged to excel. The core vision of the program is to develop superior managers with global mindset. We help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive world. Upon graduation, students will have work experience from the internship program and networking contacts in small, medium and large corporations in Canada and around the world. Students have always been and remain VIU’s number one priority.


Canadian Students: Foundation Program (non-business graduates): $2,519 CAD MBA/MScIB: $18,870 CAD International Students: Foundation Program (non-business graduates): $4,850 CAD MBA/MScIB: $31,500

Entry Requirement:

Two start dates per year (January and September) Graduates with any undergraduate degree may apply No GMAT required Work experience preferred, but not required International Students: A minimum TOEFL iBT 88 with no sections under 20, or IELTS 6.5 with no band under 6.0, CAEL 70, or equivalents

Job Acquisition Stats:

Recent graduates report salaries of $40,000 – $50,000 with many earning $75,000+. On average, 90% of graduates are working full-time within 4-8 months of graduation (based on 2012 survey data).

Contact Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 250 740 6316 Website: viu.ca/mba FA LL 2 0 1 3

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T he S obey S chool of B usiness at S aint M ary ’ s U niversity

Leadership, Sustainability and Entrepreneurialism Program Type: Full Time MBA

Part Time MBA Executive MBA (EMBA)

Joint Degree Programs Offered:

MBA-CMA (Certified Management Accountants)

Program Duration:

16 to 20 months (Full Time, MBA-CMA and Executive MBA) 36 months (Part Time)

Tuition Fee:

CAD ($)15,708/ Total Program Cost Full Time CAD ($)14,258/ Total Program Cost Part Time The Sobey School of Business brings together top-notch teaching, a diverse student body and first-class facilities in our dynamic and challenging MBA program. Our ACCSB-accredited program begins with an intensive orientation week and is capped off by a team-building retreat, which helps students get to know each other in a relaxed, yet academically rigorous atmosphere. The first year provides a solid business foundation, with the emphasis on building leadership as well as analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills. At the Sobey School, we believe in enriched learning through real-world application; therefore, we offer opportunities in both years for hands-on experience working on projects for large and small businesses. Company projects and a week-long case competition are highlights of the first-year experience. Second-year students tailor their MBA to meet professional and personal goals. Students can focus in a specific area or gain further breadth in courses from a variety of disciplines, such as the Management Consulting stream offered in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Management Consultants. Students are able to academically qualify for their consulting designation with the consulting stream. The second year also features experiential learning through a consulting project, which matches student teams with a company. The Sobey School is committed to providing personalized and comprehensive tools, opportunities, resources and training to help develop your career management skills and ultimately achieve your career goals. Our innovative Professional Development Program and skill-building seminars and workshops, coupled with an integrated learning approach, will help you understand and prepare for employer expectations and hiring requirements. We prepare you to proactively manage your career throughout your lifetime. Why should you choose the Sobey MBA? At the Sobey School, you will have access to world-class research and faculty. We facilitate experiential learning for real-life skill-building including internships, consulting projects, case competitions and the management of the IMPACT investment fund. The Sobey MBA will help you develop leadership skills through a variety of team experiences and classroom instruction. We also provide a comprehensive personal and career development program to assist you in finding meaningful employment. Your MBA experience will be enriched by the opportunity to study with a small cohort of students from a variety of domestic and international backgrounds. 16

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CAD ($)45,000/ Total Program Cost EMBA

Entry Requirements: Min. GMAT Score: 550 Min. TOEFL IBT: 100 Min. IELTS: 7 Min. Years of Work Experience: 2

Advanced Standings:

Must have taken two courses in the subject area covering 80 percent of the material and achieved B+ or higher. Four year BComm or BBA grads with a CGPA of 3.5 or higher may be eligible for our accelerated program (13 courses).

Application Fee: CAD ($) 70

Contact Name: Leah Ray, Managing Director, MBA Program Email: [email protected] Phone: 01-902-420-5002 Website: smu.ca/mba

By Danielle Klassen

How to use social media to build valuable connections

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hey’ve become the trademark—or perhaps the addiction—of our generation. They’re the ultimate procrastination enabler and homework diverter. Our fingers itch to check them the second a web browser opens. Facebook and other social media sites steal countless minutes of our days and offer little in return.


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Rather than wallow in the guilt of hours spent shamelessly lurking your ex-whatever, why not use your lurking, browsing and posting skills to build a framework for achieving your career goals. Use your social networks to do just that—network. LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, and yes, even Facebook, have taken off as go-to platforms for professionals. People meet and connect online with the intent to advance their careers, and maybe even help others along the way. It’s networking 2.0. When LinkedIn first took off, many of us “Millennials” were skeptical. “It’s social media for middle-agers,” some would say, or, “It’s just a lame version of Facebook.” Evidently, a forward-looking few saw LinkedIn as more than a fad, as today over 225 million people of all generations across the globe are connected on this career-oriented network. To be effective with social networking tools, it’s essential to invest some time into your online presence. It’s about more than simply existing online; it’s about cultivating a personal brand. “People are going to Google you for one reason or another. The more you use [LinkedIn], the more likely you are to show up at the top of search rankings: that means that you have a degree of control over what others first see about you,” says Lisa Dalla Vecchia, manager of alumni and career communications at Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business. For René Beaulieu, career advisor and employment counsellor at Laval University, you can’t initiate strong online networking until you can identify your specific purpose for being on the platform. “I tell students to think of themselves as a company,” he says. By doing so, you can clearly articulate your unique offering and determine what to share. For example, while you may be an expert photographer, it’s probably not a good idea to write about photography in your objective statement if you’re trying to sell your management skills. But perfecting your profile alone won’t earn you connections. The next step, Beaulieu says, is cultivating your presence. He recommends spending five to 10 minutes on LinkedIn each day. “Students are often very occupied with studying and socializing. They don’t put that much time into developing their business proposition,” he warns. While it may be an old cliché, there’s definite merit to the idea that your network is your net worth. Your MBA gets its value from the experiences you gain along the way. Networking may be equally as valuable as the degree itself. With quick intervals of online activity, it’s easy to stay up-to-date with interesting industry updates that your contacts are sharing, and to open conversations with new contacts. 18

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Ten years ago when sites like LinkedIn were in their infancy, networking might have meant endless schmoozing at various network events, exchanging business cards by the dozen, and constant effort to keep up with the connections you’ve made along the way. Your network consisted of people you chanced upon, and the degrees of separation between you and your desired connections weren’t always apparent.

When developing your online network, it’s important to practise the “netiquette” of connecting. The generic LinkedIn invitation is often perceived as stale, or even cavalier. Incorporate your common ground into an invitation: maybe you attended the same event or share an alma mater, and can suggest getting together to talk about old times. With the endless amount of information available online, you’re sure to find material for an opening line.

gically, it’s an indispensable tool for establishing your leadership online. Experts recommend tweeting about professional topics 80 percent of the time, and using the other 20 percent for personal input. On LinkedIn, most of your efforts should be put into tracking conversation and maintaining an up-to-date profile. Dalla Vecchia warns that your contacts may see constant posts as spam.

“People are going to Google you for one reason or another. The more you use [LinkedIn], the more likely you are to show up at the top of search rankings: that means that you have a degree of control over what others first see about you.”

Today, if you’re looking to break into an industry or gain connections at a company, a simple Google search will give you incredible background information and uncover relevant people in your industry that you should meet. It’s a good place to start networking online. While the good old-fashioned acts of looking someone in the eye, shaking their hand and starting a conversation will never become obsolete, online networking can complement in-person contact and make it easier to stay in touch. It can also take the awkwardness out of first contact. One of the main benefits of LinkedIn is that it enables conversation. “It makes it easier to find people, understand who the person is, what their background is, and why you might want to talk to them,” says Fiona Macfarlane, MBA mentoring program manager at McGill’s Desautels Faculty of Management. LinkedIn’s clever design not only illustrates how you’re connected to someone, through friends or friends-of-friends, but also shows what you have in common with a desired connection. These commonalities go a long way toward opening conversation, and demand a lot less room-working and business cards than analog networking.

LinkedIn isn’t the only way to get a hold of your desired contacts. Twitter constantly presents casual opportunities to join conversations that are already occurring—as long as you can contribute in fewer than 140 characters. “Through Twitter I’ve met a lot of great people,” says Dalla Vecchia. She recommends using the tool to scout out people before networking events. Use the event’s hashtag to find out who’s going and whom you could meet, and become a prominent part of the conversation before you even enter the building. Twitter’s fast-paced nature means there is hardly such a thing as being too active. When used strate-

She suggests sharing information once a week. Try posting industry news to show that you’re keeping up with what is happening in your field. With every connection you make, keep your ultimate networking objectives in mind and act within them. “It’s not a race for the number of contacts, it’s about getting in touch with great people who are actually going to help you get further,” says Beaulieu. It’s about staying in touch too, experts agree. The next time you’re delaying whatever daunting task awaits, instead of refreshing your page every few minutes to see what photos your friends uploaded, think about how you could use your time to get ahead. CO

Danielle Klassen is a graduate of Carleton University’s school of journalism. With her background in business reporting, Danielle writes to help readers understand how to navigate today’s economy. Danielle has seen the effects of social media networking first-hand, having connected with employers on Twitter before even being called in for an interview. She loves meeting new people, so feel free to get in touch! Twitter: @daniklassen For more information, please visit: beedie.sfu.ca, twitter.com/SFUBeedie, linkedin.com/company/1633160, ulaval.ca, mcgill.ca/desautels, careeroptionsmagazine.com/mba


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By Meagan Campbell

Landing a job after graduation

Advice from MBA experts and grads

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fter graduating with an MBA from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, Paul Gryglewicz found himself in his desired industry—consulting in the field of governance and executive compensation. Having accepted an associate role to “learn the industry from the grass roots” fresh out of school, he applied his hard work ethic, humble approach and knowledge gained from the MBA to accelerate his career to his current role as managing partner of Global Governance Advisors, where he oversees the company’s Canadian operations. His role today offers him his preferred type of work: a balance between hands-on client engagement, business strategy, management and entrepreneurialism—in other words, a dream job for a young business professional. How did he get there? There’s no magic formula, but here are some tips and advice that can help you get there, too.

Current MBA Students Build your network

Take on extracurriculars: Throughout his studies, Gryglewicz played for McMaster’s varsity squash team and taught golf at a local club. “Joining teams or volunteering teaches you about your skills and interests, expands your network, and shows employers that you can manage your time,” he says. Another McMaster MBA graduate Career Options spoke with, Shivalika Handa, landed a co-op position and eventually

a job at RBC Capital Markets through her role as president of the DeGroote Women in Management Association.

Create genuine relationships: Although a student with a vast social media network may connect with thousands of people, few of these online contacts likely know the student well enough to recommend him or her. It is increasingly important for people to know students personally, says Stephanie Harper, manager of the Career Development Office at the Goodman School of Business at Brock University: “It’s not about what you know or who you know. It’s about who knows you.” Be proactive: Attend networking events, follow up with people you meet, and reach out to those you’d like to meet. Gryglewicz landed his first job as an associate after inviting the CEO of the company to be a guest speaker in his entrepreneurial class.

Research Connect with alumni mentors: Many MBA schools have programs that match students with alumni who have experience in the student’s field of interest. These partnerships inform students about the trends in the area and advise them on career paths. Conduct informational interviews: Set up an interview with someone in a role that appeals to you. Many people are willing and happy to take 30 minutes of their time to help


Quick Tip » Customize a section header in your resumé. For example, if the job description includes businessto-business communications, then replace your “Work Experience” header with “Business-to-Business Experience,” and revise how you present the items listed below.

a student learn more about their work and their field. Students should prepare questions so that they control the conversation, says Anna Cranston, director of Management Career Services at Dalhousie University. “If you are professional about the interview,” she says, “it can be a networking tool that makes your name come to mind when the person wants to hire.”

Be selective: Do not apply for jobs that do not suit your skills and interests. “If you don’t have passion for it, you won’t interview well for it,” says Handa. The interview process and potential rejections will waste time and may shake your confidence. Don’t wait: Start your research early so that you know where to apply for jobs. Cranston emphasizes that students should be ready to apply before September of their final year.

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Percentage of companies worldwide hiring MBA graduates, by industry »

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MBA Grads Start your search

Prepare for the interview

Consult career services: Employers often post jobs to career services centres at colleges and universities rather than on regional posting boards. Most MBA schools have their own career services centre, which connects students and graduates to these employers.

Interview the employer: Ask questions that arose while researching the job, or that arise naturally during the interview. Well-thought-out questions demonstrate your interest in the position and work environment.

Fi Reproduced with the permission of the Graduate Management Admission Council®

Improve your credentials Choose the right electives: Choose electives that relate to your career goals. This will make you better qualified for the position and show employers that you use your time wisely. Take on co-op or residency placements: If your MBA program does not include a work term, ask your professors and other contacts to look for summer co-op positions or part-time work in an area of interest. These placements expand your network, give you experience and reveal whether you like the type of work.

Quick Tip » Career services centres at MBA schools get hundreds of job postings each year. To maximize the value of your appointment, do research and prepare questions about the type of job you are looking for.

Great question to ask in a job interview » “What are some characteristics of a person who has been successful at this role in the past?” Anna Cranston, director of Management Career Services, Dalhousie University

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Customize and perfect your documents: Once you have found a job to apply for, make sure you’re clear on the skills and personality that the employer is looking for. Tailor your cover letter and resumé for each application, and perfect the language and formatting. Prepare your references: Describe the job to your references so that they know what skills the employer is looking for. Bring three or four copies of a typed reference list to each job interview, and include three or four references unless otherwise required.

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Set small goals: While the obvious aim of a job hunt is to find a job, Harper suggests having several goals along the way. For example, attend one networking event per month or apply to a certain number of postings each week. These are achievable and will keep you motivated.

Regional job boards: Along with Career Options, other job boards include MBAjobs.ca, TalentEgg and jobpostings. Search these online boards in addition to consulting your school’s career services centre.

Be confident: Practise your answers and questions out loud to get them as concise as possible without sounding rehearsed. Handa, who now helps in the hiring process at PricewaterhouseCoopers, says to put 100 percent effort into every interview and to reflect your personality.

Mine your network: Maintain connections with students you met during your degree, family friends and professors. Stephanie Harper offers the statistic that 80 percent of jobs are never posted publicly. By staying in touch with everyone you

Recognize external forces: Remember that you have no control over the labour market, other candidates, or an employer’s preferences. Gryglewicz is encouraging: “Be patient, be humble and keep a positive mindset.” CO

Meagan Campbell is a journalism student at the University of King’s College in Halifax. She works as an editorial and publishing assistant at the Shambhala Sun Magazine and is a novice documentary filmmaker. Contact Meagan by email at [email protected]

For more information, please visit: mba.degroote.mcmaster.ca, bus.brocku.ca/mba, dal.ca/faculty/management/rsb.html, gmac.com, careeroptionsmagazine.com/mba



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U N B S aint J ohn

Experience the one-year MBA at UNB Saint John Types of Programs:

Master of Business Administration with concentrations in: Project Management, Entrepreneurship and Technology Management, International Business, and General Management. New in 2014: Accounting.

Length of Program:

12 to 15 months. The International Business stream requires 15 months due to a study abroad requirement.

Tuition Fees:

$18,000 for domestic students and $24,500 for international students

Application Fees: $100 application fee

Entry Requirements:

Offered by the oldest English-language university in Canada, the University of New Brunswick Saint John’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program provides a world-class education and one of the shortest payback periods in North America for one-year or part-time MBAs. Our MBA is an investment in your future, with an intensive program that blends classroom learning with practical applications and real-world experience. Our students enjoy small class sizes, a diverse international student body, accessible faculty and a dedicated staff. All these elements work together to hone the skills you need to compete and succeed in the global marketplace. The program is designed to encourage students to think creatively and develop business ideas that can lead to entrepreneurial opportunities upon graduation. Students will benefit from the entrepreneurial mindset and leadership capabilities of our faculty members. Concentrations Our program offers four streams and two program options. International Business gives you the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of doing business in other trade regions by pursuing studies in North America, Europe and Asia. Entrepreneurship and Technology Management includes an active role in a new venture or established technology firm. General Management students may compose a broad program of study and work experience that helps them along their chosen career path. Accounting (new in 2014) will prepare you for a CMA, CGA or CA designation. Project Management will prepare you to challenge the PMI examination and gain either the PMP or CAPM designation. Alternately, you may complete research within any of the streams with a UNB Saint John faculty member. Why UNB Saint John? UNB ranks among the top six comprehensive universities in Canada, according to the Maclean’s annual ranking. We offer an Individual Effectiveness Program that enriches your leadership potential, as well as a Corporate Mentorship Program that builds your competitive edge by matching you with an executive mentor. A low student-to-professor ratio guarantees access to respected educators and visiting scholars. UNB offers value for your investment. A compact, comprehensive, cost-effective one-year program minimizes both your real cost and your opportunity cost.

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• CGPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.3 scale) or “high B” standing in an internationally recognized 4-year bachelor degree or equivalent; 3-year honours degree with at least a second class standing will be considered. • Minimum GMAT of 550. The GMAT may be waived for students with a 3.2 or higher CGPA. • For international students: TOEFL score of 580 (237 CBT; 93 IBT) and TWE of 4.5; CAEL 60; IELTS 7; or equivalent. • Minimum of two years of relevant post-graduate work experience. • Personal statement. • Apply by May 31 to be eligible for bursaries. Bursary details are available at www.mba.unbsj.ca/apply/ FinancialAid

Job Acquisition Statistics: • 35% employed to graduation • 78% within 6 months • 100% within 12 months • Average salary: $65,000

Contact Name: Sarah Craig Email: [email protected] Phone: 506-648-5973 Website: mba.unbsj.ca

Online MBA

By ACCESS MBA Tour

How to study from a distance

A large part of our lives today takes place online. Local news, world events, social trends, entertainment and much more now come to us via our computer screens, and we connect to the rest of the world through social media. The Internet is an increasingly comfortable place to be. With this in mind, completing your MBA online seems logical and natural. While there are clear benefits to learning at a distance, it’s not right for everyone. It’s important to weigh your options and ask yourself if you can handle the pressure of learning from home. »


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A growing trend According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 20.4 percent of all undergraduates have taken at least one distance education course, and about 3.7 percent completed their entire program through distance education. The popularity of online colleges is growing exponentially in relation to traditional education, according to a recent study. In fact, the ratio is more than 10 to 1. An online degree is usually cheaper and shorter in duration, and it allows you to continue your education without interference with your career, family responsibilities and everyday life.

Factors to consider Before registering for an online MBA program, there some things you need to do. The first is to consider why you are embarking on this journey. Getting an online degree might seem like a walk in the park, but unless you have real motivation, the time and effort you need to invest will soon seem overwhelming. Next, you need to choose a program that will fit into your schedule. Time management is crucial in online programs, so plan ahead to ensure you can get all the work done. Last but not least, do your research and select an accredited school—taking a program at a so-called ‘diploma mill’ will end up being a waste of time and money. Bear in mind that you can choose from a variety of different formats. Try to understand the requirements and the deadlines of your program, so that it can fit in with your usual rhythm of life and achieve the best results possible.

Many distance learning formats to choose from The open schedule format provides the highest level of freedom possible, enabling you to incorporate the coursework into your personal schedule. Students are given the course material and a set of deadlines—this style of online education is designed for self-motivated people who do not tend to procrastinate.

assignments at their own pace as long as they meet the deadline required for communication. Computer-based learning almost mirrors the behaviour of the standard classroom. Students are required to participate at designated times and places, often ranging from a computer to an actual classroom. This option is typically ideal only for those who live close to campus and are looking to take on extra coursework. Fixed-time e-learning is the most common type of online education. It sets a predetermined schedule that can be kept from any location. Students are not required to attend a physical location. They’re required to complete the coursework and then log onto the online learning site at the predetermined time. This type of distance learning is popular since it provides a live online forum with a social component that is often lacking from online courses.

Online education is not right for everyone You need self-motivation, discipline and strong willpower to avoid succumbing to procrastination. Without direct contact with your fellow students and professor, you might be tempted to miss deadlines and skip classes and appointments. To stay on top of your online degree, you need to: » Set goals and stay motivated. » Prepare for your online sessions in the same way you would for a traditional, real-life class. » Wake up early and review the material, be alert and attentive, take part in the discussions and ask questions, if you have any. » Find the right study environment. If you are distracted at home, going to the library or a coffee shop to study might be the best solution.

Manage your time Studying from a distance gives you the advantage of setting your own pace; however, you need to plan ahead and keep track of deadlines, midterms and final exams. Even more so, if you are enrolled in a distance learning course, you will have set locations for reviews and exams.

Blended learning is a common version of distance learning that offers an open schedule, but requires you to communicate with an established location, in a physical classroom or online via message boards or chat rooms. Similar to an open schedule, blended learning allows students to complete

Katia Vasileva, who recently completed a foursemester distance learning course in human resource management at the Open University of London, shares her experience: “The real challenge is to find the extra time to complete assignments. Between work and responsibilities at home, you can easily forget that you have

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“The real challenge is to find the extra time to complete assignments. Between work and responsibilities at home, you can easily forget that you have ‘homework’ as well.”

‘homework’ as well.” Out of the 13 students in her class, only three completed the course. Surprisingly, the people who completed the course on schedule were the ones who had full-time jobs. Finally, make sure you’re not wasting your time— make sure that your program of choice has a credible reputation. The best way to ensure this is to study for a degree with the distance-learning arm of a well-respected, traditional university or an accredited distance-learning institute. CO

The Access MBA Tour is held by Advent Group—an international media agency with 52 executives based in Paris, Sofia and Shanghai. With the experience of organizing over 300 events, the company has become a global leader in business education recruitment. The Access MBA Tour is a series of 60 One-to-One events per year held in 35 countries in Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Asia. The aim is to match selected candidates with top-ranked international business schools. Each event gathers over 350 MBA candidates of which only the best profiles are selected and invited to meet the school representatives. The Tour represents some of the best programs for global management education. Attending schools are globally accredited and highly ranked by influential media like The Financial Times, Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal and The Economist. The Access MBA Tour will be back in Canada (Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver) February 2014 for the sixth consecutive year, giving MBA candidates the opportunity to meet face-to-face with admission officers of top international business schools.

For more information, please visit: accessmba.com, careeroptionsmagazine.com/mba

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