SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2013 SECTION M ON ON1 STAND OUT Make face time work at employer-info sessions, M6 WORLD OF MBAS

STEPHANIE LAKE/CANADIAN PRESS Professor Kelly Parke at is “awesome,” says Jason Pottinger, a Argo and student. “He definitely knew how to orchestrate the class so that it was very interactive.” Igniting creative sparks

passing through a sensor gate rather survey of the best MBA teachers in What makes a superb teacher? Three engaging than with tokens, to Instacare, a “virtual Bloomberg Businessweek, students “al- medical consult at your fingertips” most universally praise” qualities such instructors who fire up their ‘dragons’ through FaceTime on an iPhone. as a “compelling classroom presence,” You can tell from the ripples of laugh- thorough knowledge of subject matter, LISON DUNFIELD presentation will get a chunk of (fake) ter and the enthusiasm on the faces of research proficiency and availability. SPECIAL TO THE STAR investment money, bragging rights and the presenters that this is not a typical Many MBA students have high stan- Kelly Parke’s dragons are poised and ready to pounce. It’s the a half-point bump to their final mark, MBA class. And you can tell from dards. They’ve already spent time in the last day of class at his innovation through technology and Parke tells an MBA student, and this is Parke’s sheer joy when he talks about workplace, possibly in a leadership role, design course at the Schulich School of Business, and the worth a lot. the students’ ingenuity that he gets a lot and they are often funding their own game is on. Projects up for judging range from a out of teaching this course. education. There’s a lot at stake: his students are competing for $1 smartphone application that would al- What makes a great MBA professor? million in “Schulich bucks” from the investors. The winning low commuters to pay TTC fares by According to a 2012 article based on a MBA continued on M2

Q&A: Diversity brings a global outlook to classroom

JACLYN TERSIGNI rience of others?” Each student has to from countries aside from . How A. Our hallmark is our integrated man- SPECIAL TO THE STAR bring something that helps other stu- does that influence learning? agement focus. Rather than starting an Peter Todd, dean, dents to learn as well. A. I think having professors that come MBA and having students study a little bit Desautels faculty of management, Q. What unique specializations are avail- from all around the world means you get of finance, marketing, accounting, tech- McGill University able for Desautels students? a richer diversity of perspectives in the nology and putting it all together in sec- Q. What helps prospective MBA stu- A. One is global strategy and leadership . . classroom. I think you get different points ond year — if they manage to put it to- “Our hallmark dents stand out in their application? . (Students) all either do a formal in- of view about how business is done in gether — we start with the big picture. A. We’re looking very carefully at work ternship, a field project inside a company, different places in the world — how dif- Q. What is the world market like for De- is our experience. I think we’re looking as well or an international exchange which gives ferent cultures work and so on, and I think sautels graduates? integrated at motivation and what people are after. them more of the global flavour we like to the professors help drive that conversa- A. The last three years, we’ve had the We look at references. But beyond that, have at McGill . . . students now will do an tion in the classroom. best placement years for our MBA grads management we also ask each student the question: international trip together. Q. What separates Desautels from other . . . We’ve had the highest placement focus” “What do you bring to the learning expe- Q. More than 85 per cent of faculty come business schools and MBAs? rates and highest salaries we’ve seen. It’s time to get down to business. Choose Laurier’s MBA Part time alternate weekends downtown Toronto Full time 20 months Co-op Waterloo Full time one year Waterloo Full time one year International

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>> WORLD OF MBAS Trading an almanac for an MBA As global agriculture pressures be at a level that I could be confident with the decisions I made.” rise, the modern farmer looks The business of agriculture is global, highly competitive and rapidly changing, says David to school for the big picture Sparling, professor, operations management and chair of agri0-food innovation, Richard FIONA ELLIS Ivey School of Business, University of West- SPECIAL TO THE STAR ern Ontario. An MBA is not just for the boardroom. Grad- That is why learning business skills is not uates of prestigious MBA programs are not just important but essential, he says. just applying what they’ve learned in highrise “You can’t just go out and do what you’ve urban offices; many are putting essential always done,” he says. business skills to the test in Canada’s milking “You have to think about what is coming parlours and fields. next in terms of trends. How are the markets The agriculture industry is a lot like any changing and how is the competition chang- other industry, says MBA graduate Steven ing? It’s like any competitive global business, Koeckhoven. management is important, leadership is im- The 29-year-old from Saskatchewan gradu- portant. We’re now getting farmers that do ated last year from Western’s Richard Ivey more.” School of Business. He helps run his family Getting an MBA opened McPhail’s eyes to farm and also works for an agribusiness start- the challenges she and other farmers face up. daily. “A lot of the stereotypes around agriculture “To take courses at an MBA level, you’re is that it is just family farms, when it’s a whole thinking outside of the box. You’re thinking of lot more than that. It’s much more complex,” the whole global market, how it impacts you, he says. the opportunity it presents but also the Agriculture is a huge contributor to Cana- threats it presents, and it inspired me to use da’s economy. A report released last year by what I knew to help me inspire others.” Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada showed McPhail now works for non-profit organi- the agriculture and agri-food sector, in 2010, zation Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement directly provided one in eight jobs, employing Association as a program representative and two million people and accounting for 8.1per workshop leader. She helps educate farmers cent of total gross domestic product. on their ever expanding businesses. Shelley McPhail was born and raised on a “It’s all about helping farmers to decide 165-acre farm near Almonte, Ont., in the Ot- what it is they need to do to move forward, tawa Valley where she now lives and manages how to make a plan and make those tough with her husband, Harold, in addition to an- decisions. These are multimillion-dollar op- other 300 acres they rent. They grow spring erations now; they need to be managed like wheat, winter wheat, malting barley, oats, big operations.” soybeans, canola and hay. They also provide Farmers are becoming more astute as busi- custom planting and spraying services and ness people, says Sylvain Charlebois, associ- have a small trucking company. ate dean at the University of Guelph. In 2005 she enrolled in the University of “There is more and more appetite out there Guelph’s Masters in business administration to learn more about food systems and agricul- in agriculture, a mostly online course with ture. I’ve met farmers with a PhD,” he says. some short residency requirements. “It’s not necessarily about getting the creden- “When I started the MBA program, we had tials, it’s about the knowledge.” already been farming full-time on our own “I’m living proof that anyone can do an for 22 years, and we were doing an excellent MBA,” says McPhail. job,” she says. “We can all farm, we love to farm, but we’re ROBIN ANDREW/UNPOSED PHOTOGRAPHY “I felt if the farm grew and the industry not all natural managers, and management is Shelley McPhail completed a masters in business administration in agriculture at the became more challenging I needed more what is going to make this sustainable, and University of Guelph. It opened her eyes to the challenges she and other farmers face daily. management experience, and I needed it to make us successful into the future.” Creativity is a muscle that can be developed Become a business MBA from M1 class is structured so that students are able to look to the Canadian business past to glean Hugh Munro, director of MBA programs at clues about how it might behave in the future. superhero with an Laurier School of Business and Economics in Speakers, mentors and Martin himself pep- Waterloo, adds that MBA scholars, especially per the class with anecdotes. those who are continuing to work while “One of the things I really liked about the studying, are often more demanding. “The class was hearing his stories,” says second- quest and appreciation for knowledge is rich- year MBA student Sam Newman-Bremang. er.” Newman-Bremang also touched on some- MBA Parke’s students say they enjoy his teaching thing that makes Martin and other professors because he encourages them to come up with so well-liked — he’s an approachable person Meet the world’s top creative solutions to problems and to imagine who cares about his students, whether to technology that might not yet exist. hand out career advice or talk baseball after business schools and find “He asks us questions which really make us class. think. Is this making a difference? Is this At the University of Western Ontario’s Rich- the perfect MBA for you at making an impact?” says Kiran Kumar Chad- ard Ivey School of Business, Prof. Mary Cros- the QS World MBA Tour: aram, who took Parke’s course last term and san pushes students to be open and vulnera- was part of the TTC app team. ble — they seem to love it. Schulich, Rotman, Ivey, The best MBA instructors encourage class Rather than a study of other great leaders, participation, say students, and keep classes her transformational leadership class is an Queen’s, McGill, UBC, engaging. “Professor Kelly was awesome. He inward-looking program; students are re- Dalhousie, Boston University, definitely knew how to orchestrate the class quired to think deeply about their own char- so that it was very interactive . . . it was never a acteristics. IE, IESE and more... dull class,” says Jason Pottinger, another stu- dent in last fall’s technology and innovation “This course is about understanding course and a Toronto Argonauts linebacker. He also appreciated Parke’s use of technolo- your values and character strength gy during Grey Cup week. Since Parke filmed and how to make decisions.” all of his lectures and posted them online, Toronto Event Pottinger was able to watch classes he missed JACLYN WHINCUP MBA STUDENT during training. Parke, who spent years as a technical pro- February 9th ducer with numerous television networks, “Mary really gets you to be vulnerable and developed the course in 2009 with Peter Zak, get outside your comfort zone . . . This course Intercontinental Toronto Centre a design consultant. Confident that creativity is about understanding your values and char- is a muscle that can be developed, they collab- acter strength and how to make decisions,” orated to “teach creativity to people.” They says current student Jaclyn Whincup. felt creativity was lacking in Ontario MBA Crossan’s pupils discuss and reflect on read- Panels and Presentations from 1 PM graduates. ings that challenge their thinking. Fair from 3:30-6 PM At University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Students come to the first class bringing a Management, Joseph Martin is sought after symbol of something meaningful to them and Featuring alumni from Harvard, because he enriches his students’ learning discuss how that has shaped who they are. Wharton and Stanford experiences via his depth of knowledge and As part of the final mark, they are required life experience. Martin, a graduate of Har- to do a workshop on a major leadership char- vard’s advanced management program, was a acteristic, such as humility or integrity. longtime management consultant before he Other unique elements are her “near death- Register now: developed the university’s unique Canadian visualization exercise,” in which pupils must business history program. He had heard from imagine themselves with a year to live and www.topmba.com/star colleagues that those coming out of MBA what they would do with that time. programs were intelligent, but missing key “This definitely pushed me in ways I didn’t context from the country’s business past. know I could . . . this course can be emotional- The course generates buzz because of Mar- ly exhausting,” says Whincup. tin’s personable style, his willingness to en- Teaching MBA courses “is not a get-rich gage with students and his high-profile guest profession in a monetary sense, but it certain- speaker list — from Canadian business su- ly is a rewarding one in terms of experience” perstars Red Wilson and Dick Currie to for- and meeting interesting people, says Lauri- mer prime minister Brian Mulroney. His er’s Munro. ON ON1 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2013 TORONTO STAR⎮M3

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STRATEGY Warrior training for case challenges Bonding, dealing with WHAT A CASE the unexpected, all part COMPETITION of exciting competition LOOKS LIKE At the annual MBA Games, teams BRYAN BORZYKOWSKI tackle case studies in four areas: SPECIAL TO THE STAR finance, marketing, crisis man- Some teachers coach football after agement and strategy. The finance school, others help struggling stu- case study at the recent games dents with their class work. Not was Joe Fayt’s favourite, in large many spend 12 straight hours on part because the team came in Skype helping MBA students, scat- first. tered across four countries, try to The team was “representing” win a gruelling case competition. company A, which wanted to About a year ago, Joe Fayt, a mar- increase its stake in company B. keting professor at York’s Schulich They had to figure out whether the School of Business and the coach of current market value of company B the university’s MBA case competi- reflected its true potential, to tion team, was online from 11:30 ensure a good return on their p.m. on a Friday night until 11:30 investment. The team had to eval- a.m. Saturday morning helping his uate the takeover business, put a students prepare for the prestigious valuation on it and then make a Hult Global Case Challenge. recommendation as to whether The competition was taking place STEPHANIE LAKE/CANADIAN PRESS their “client” should buy it or not. in Shanghai, London, Boston and Marketing instructor Joe Fayt is a coach extraordinaire at how to win a case study. They had to outline what the im- San Francisco. Because of the time pact of the purchase would be on differences, he was able to coach all spot every year. Canadian-school-only contest that with the unexpected. “It helps with share price and market positions. of his teams — Fayt sent four groups Part of the reason why more focuses on business cases (there’s my planning and management The reason they did so well was of five students to each location schools are fielding teams is that also a sports and spirit component skills a lot,” she says. “You get a lot of that Fayt decided, in practice, to — before they had to present. “I sat having a winning group can help to the contest) in early January. She real life experiences.” focus on merger and acquisitions at my desk for 12 solid hours,” he boost university rankings. says her 40-person team spent 100 Team members network with stu- issues. He had seen that M&A says. “One team woke up when the These competitions, at least anec- hours over two months preparing. dents from other schools and meet activity was picking up. It’s also an other went to bed and I was able to dotally, can also help students find That’s just one contest that Schul- with business owners and experts area that covers a lot of different help them all out.” better jobs. “I’ve spoken to recruit- ich is a part of; it plans to attend who judge the case studies. And issues. He and his team got lucky; If that seems a bit extreme, it’s ers who tell me that they look for seven competitions by the end of winning? Nuniam’s team came in it just happened that that was the because case competitions — a con- people who’ve had this type of the current school year. first at the most recent MBA Games finance case that came up. “We test that tests how well MBA stu- training,” he says. “Students have Many schools receive sponsor- at McMaster. could have picked other topics in dents from different schools can also told me they’ve gotten a better ships to help pay for travel costs — For this year’s Hult Global Case the finance area,” he says, “but it present a business case — have be- job because they were part of a case RBC gives financial and education- Challenge, Fayt is skipping the all- seemed to me that M&A was a come a big priority for schools. competition team.” al support to the Schulich team. But nighter and travelling with a team wise focus of attention.” Peter O’Brien, chairman of the Case competitions are not for ev- people usually have to fork out of five to San Francisco instead. board for Concordia University’s eryone, though. While some com- some money to get to the different There will be other teams in Boston John Molson MBA International petitions do offer winners money — events located around the world. and Dubai, and he will coach them MORE ONLINE Case Competition, the world’s lon- the John Molson competition Nuniam says all the costs and online, but he doesn’t plan to be up gest-running, says that at the first hands out $10,000 to the top team — work are worth it. Students learn until dawn. For additional online coverage competition in 1981 they only had it’s all volunteer work and a lot of how to work in a group and under “This time I’m flying with the on how to work the room and four teams. In 2012 they had 46 time is spent in preparation. pressure — they get just three hours team. I need to be there,” he says. “I the QS World Tour, go to . . . teams apply, up from 42 in 2011. Beth Nuniam, a Schulich MBA to solve a business problem and just love this event — and all the They only take 36 teams, but, says student, is the captain of the team prepare a case — they enhance their case competitions. It’s always really thestar.com/life/world of mbas O’Brien, more teams clamour for a that went to the MBA Games, a speaking skills and they have to deal exciting.”

you want to maximize your potential, maximize your MBA experience.

Queen’s School of Business is recognized as one of the world’s leading business schools. An innovative approach to team-based learning, valuable experiential opportunities and a unique culture of personal coaching set Queen’s MBA – and the people who earn it – above the rest. You can earn a Queen’s MBA in Kingston, Toronto, Mississauga or Markham.

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>> WORLD OF MBAS HISTORIC FACILITY GETS THE LEED TREATMENT Victorian-style Goodes Hall gains 75,000 square feet of sustainable space

Queen’s School of Business in Kingston, Ont., recently completed a $40-million, state-of-the-art expansion of its historic Victorian-style Goodes Hall facility, adding 75,000 square feet of sustainable LEED-certified space. Peter Berton was the principal architect, along with fellow architects Nicole Crabtree and Chris Hall, all from Toronto-based Ventin Group (+VG Architects). Continuing in innovation, Queen’s will be launching a 10-month master of management analytics program in June as part of a suite of masters programs offered at QSB’s Toronto facility at Simcoe Place. DAVID WHITTAKER PHOTO Apps help boost productivity and connectivity Students share favourite dents need to be able to collaborate David Glazer, 27, Toronto and communicate around their in- Top three apps: smart tools for school dividual contributions to group 1. Gmail projects, especially if they live on 2. Google Drive FIONA ELLIS opposite sides of the city.” 3. Voice recorders SPECIAL TO THE STAR Three tech-savvy students com- “Primarily, apps help me keep all Textbooks, pen and paper don’t cut pleting the MTI MBA at Ryerson my information in one place, my it as educational tools. And smart- give the inside scoop on app use. phone. It’s hard to say if they are phones mean high-tech mini-com- Christina Diadamo, 24, Maple. time savers; they can be effort sav- puters are at your fingertips 24/7. Top three apps: ers though. For instance, I use my While Angry Birds may be a distrac- 1. Google Drive Christina Diadamo, 24, Ryan May, 28, and David Glazer, 27, are all Samsung Galaxy Note’s stock cam- tion, smartphone apps can make 2. iBooks for reading PDFs on iOS completing the MTI MBA at . They credit some of their era application to take pictures of student life more productive. 3. Kobo/Kindle success to their regular use of student apps. class slides instead of taking notes, Rajat Opal, CEO and president of “The apps I use most are apps that so I can focus my attention on what Gazoo Mobile, launched the Ivey allow me to do things on the go. TTC. I actively started using Google printing out class notes or writing the professor is saying as opposed MBA app in 2010, which allows When I’m not at home, I use the Drive shortly after starting the them by hand each year. Students to feverishly writing as fast as pos- University of Western students and iBooks and Kobo apps for reading, MBA program. My group and I im- are typically looking for apps to sible. I also use the Easy Voice Re- applicants to receive updates from especially because electronic books mediately realized the benefits of keep them organized, and on track. corder app to record entire lec- Ivey’s social media channels, news have become much more cost-effi- being able to easily share files.” School, like in business, requires a tures/guest speaker events. This feeds and blogs, and register for cient for students. Ryan May, 28, Toronto lot of organization. makes it easy to go back and reflect, events. He says students use apps to I also use the Dropbox and/or Top three apps: “Groups, deadlines and meetings especially if you’re required to pro- stay “current on news and events, Google Drive app to quickly trans- 1. GMAT Club iPad app must be kept track of, so any app duce something later. and as tools to aid in learning.” fer large PDF files from my com- 2. Blackboard mobile app that can help with that is a plus. “I think at this point, people are Kimberly A. Bates, director of puter and access required readings 3. Google Drive Collaboration is huge. As a part- mainly interested in using apps for Ryerson University’s MBA in the or group reports from my mobile “The average student has at least time student, it is amazing to be email integration. I’m not sure if management of technology and in- devices. two Internet-enabled devices on inside Google Drive with three apps are more distracting than pro- novation, agrees. “Students are in- “These apps don’t necessarily save them. I have seen a growing num- group mates on the weekend at our ductive. There are fun apps like In- terested in things that make their time in the traditional way, but they ber of students using tablets, and respective homes and truly work stagram that you may find yourself lives easier, that help them get in- do allow me to use my travel time choosing to use e-versions of any together to create a report without using if you’re bored, but there are formation into a project. more efficiently because I can read available textbook. Fewer students having to pass a single file around productive apps, voice recorders, “In particular, part-time MBA stu- and review documents while on the are bringing physical textbooks or from person to person.” etc. The jury is still out.”

Global Reach. Innovative Programs. Diverse Perspectives.

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Join us Saturday, March 2, 2013 EXPERIENCE SCHULICH™ 2013 AsaSchulichgraduate,youcanhaveitall.FindouthowatExperienceSchulich.™ Saturday, March 2 Start the day with a special keynote from Dean Dezsö Horváth followed by mini-lectures featuring 9:30 am – 3:00 pm scholarsandindustryleaders.DiscoverwhySchulichisTheBusinessSchoolofthe21stCentury.™ Connect Schulich School of Business with Alumni and the Career Development Centre to explore how Schulich can accelerate your career. 4700 Keele Street TheAdmissionsteamwillbeonhandtohelpguideyoutotheprogramthatfitsyourneeds.Registertoday! To register, visit: www.schulich.yorku.ca schulich.yorku.ca/experienceschulich Schulich Programs: MBA, Accelerated MBA, IMBA, MBA/JD, MBA/MFA, MBA/MA, MPA, MF, MSc (Business Analytics), MAcc Study Options: Full-Time, Part-Time Evenings, Days and Alternate Weekends

Schulich Leads in Rankings Schulich is ranked in the world’s top tier of business schools by The Economist (#16 in the world); Forbes (10th best non-US school); Bloomberg Businessweek (14th best non-US school); The Aspen Institute, a US think tank (#2 in the world in Social and Environmental Leadership); and Expansión (#20 in the world) in their most recent global MBA surveys. The Schulich MBA is also ranked #1 in Canada by The Economist, Forbes, The Aspen Institute and Expansión. ON ON1 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2013 TORONTO STAR⎮M5

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STRATEGY Acing the GMAT means playing to strengths Practice, practice and with a guide. sponses. In total there are 12 ques- Pires says key questions are: Why Barnes can’t stress practice tions, and you have 30 minutes to did they choose to do an MBA? more practice is the key enough: “There is no substitute for complete this portion (integrated What are their post MBA plans? doing mountains of practice ques- reasoning) of the exam,” says Pires. What are their short- and long- to mastering this test tions. The more you do, the more Aim for a balanced score over the term goals? And what makes them confident you’ll be on test day.” whole exam since schools want to a good fit for the school? FIONA ELLIS Play to your strengths, he advises. see well-rounded skills, says Yantz. “An interview is a way to deter- SPECIAL TO THE STAR “As you study, you’ll notice that Students are given three-and-a- mine not only fit, but also drive for Future MBA students face stiff some questions come a lot easier to half hours, but should plan for four success,” she says. competition to get into the business you than others. Spend less time on hours to include optional breaks. It’s important to have a good an- school of their dreams. these and focus on weak spots.” Barnes, now 27, says, “It’s a neat test swer for: “Why do you want to do an A 2012 report released by the Many students consider taking a in that it adapts to how you answer MBA?” says Barnes. Graduate Management Admission GMAT preparation course. But you the questions.” “This does not mean that you have Council — which administers the might not need to fork over hun- “For example, if you get a question to have a 10-year career plan GMAT, or Graduate Management dreds of dollars for something you MBA student Aaron Barnes: “It’s a right, the next one will be more mapped out, or even know what Admission Test — showed the can do yourself. neat test in that it adapts to how difficult, while if you get one wrong, industry you think you’ll be enter- number of Canadians taking the ex- Greg Yantz, director, MBA Re- you answer the questions.” the next one will be a bit easier.” ing after graduation. am rose almost seven per cent to cruiting and Admissions at Richard A bad exam is not the end of the “What it means is that you need to 7,820 between 2007 and 2012. Ivey School of Business, likens pay- tegrated reasoning (12 questions), a world. “Relax a bit. It’s not ideal, but be able to thoughtfully articulate It’s an important part of the ad- ing for GMAT prep to hiring a per- new feature added in June 2012. you can rewrite the test if you really how you see the MBA fitting into missions process for more than sonal fitness trainer. “This recently introduced section feel you’ve done poorly,” he says. your career.” 2,000 schools worldwide, and stu- “If you have the discipline to take measures your ability to analyze The business school interview dents tremble at its power to make the practice tests (workout) and de- and synthesize data presented in “The business school interview or break a career. But what is the velop a study plan (eat right), then a new formats and from multiple may be one of the most challenging MORE ONLINE experience like? prep class (personal trainer) might sources,” says Teresa Pires, assis- interviews in your career,” says Aaron Barnes, an MBA student at not be necessary.” tant director, recruitment and ad- Ivey’s Greg Yantz. “Come prepared. For a Q & A with Dalhousie’s University of Toronto, Rotman The GMAT consists of four sec- missions, Queen’s MBA, School of Be yourself, but understand why director of MBA programs, School of Management, took the tions: analytical writing assessment Business. you are choosing a particular school Scott Comber, go to . . . GMAT in September 2010. He (one topic), quantitative (37 ques- “There are four question formats, and an MBA in general to meet thestar.com/life/worldofmbas spent weeks preparing, working tions), verbal (41questions), and in- many of which require multiple re- your goals.”

Q&A: Paid work, study co-op enhances MBA

JACLYN TERSIGNI grams prepare students for a career? health services management — both learning. Our co-op MBA is certainly SPECIAL TO THE STAR A. The co-op is a wonderful program. with health sciences and core busi- based on that. We have a full-time Dr. Leonard Waverman, dean, Students earn their MBA in 28 ness courses. We have specialization MBA, an accelerated MBA — if you DeGroote School of Business, months while they complete a full in strategic business valuation, which already have an undergraduate McMaster University year of paid work experience. They blends finance, economics and ac- business degree you can do an MBA Q. What helps prospective MBA come in and do a term of academics, counting. We have a management of in eight months — and a part-time students stand out in their applica- then they go out and we find them innovation and new technology MBA. tion? the jobs. stream, which prepares students in Q. What is the world market like for A. Good grades, good GMAT They work for a term, come back for terms of thinking of how to take a DeGroote grads? (scores). For full-time students, we a term . . . The combination of work- technology and commercialize it and A. It’s good. The co-op has a (job) look at only one year of work experi- ing and doing your MBA is very lead change within a corporate cul- placement rate of over 90 per cent. ence. For our co-op MBA, it’s an effective preparation. ture. We put a lot of effort into our career interview. So it’s about interview Q. What unique specializations are Q. What separates DeGroote from management, preparing people for skills, communication skills, presence available for MBA students at De- other business schools and MBA careers. We have a 12-person team in — that’s important here. Groote? programs? career advancement that works with Dr. Leonard Waverman Q. How do DeGroote MBA pro- A. One of the major specializations is A. I think it’s our focus on experiential the students from day one.

James Malliaros, MBA Senior Vice President, TCC Global Canada Husband, Dad, Guitar Hero, Go-To Guy

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I wanted to advance at work and in life. When I enrolled in my MBA, I had to balance school with family, a demanding career and a passion for playing music and sports. Thanks to AU’s flexible online format, I made the transition from senior sales guy to senior vice president; more importantly, Add to network I did it without putting the rest of my life on hold.

The MBA that puts CEO within reach. TheAUonlineExecutiveMBA.www.mba.athabascau.ca M6⎮TORONTO STAR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2013 ON ON1

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STRATEGY Mobilize MBA edge and get hired Ten tips you need for and consultants. The more people you talk to, the better understand- campus meet-and-greets ing of a firm you get,” says Larsen, who brought business cards provid- SHARON ASCHAIEK ed by his school featuring Ivey’s SPECIAL TO THE STAR logo on it. An employer information session Tip 7: Professors and career centre can be an MBA student’s ticket to a staff often attend these events, so if career — depending on how you you have a question or need some play it. advice, approach them for help, Usually small, catered affairs fea- McCleary says. The career team turing time to network with exec- may also be able help you meet the utives, sessions take place on cam- dress code, which is usually busi- pus several times a year and feature ness casual or business formal. a large employer, usually from fi- Where students fall short, McCle- nance, management consulting, ary’s team can sometimes provide a technology, health care or law, pre- tie, suit jacket, even shoes. senting their business activities and job openings. AFTER THE EVENT “These sessions are very much the Tip 8: Following up with a thank- first step in the recruiting process, you note to a recruiter is a given. so students should treat them with Personalize yours by referencing the same level of importance and your conversation or something care as they would a job interview,” you learned at the presentation, says Erin Miller, associate director McCleary says. of career coaching and education at Tip 9: Mind deadlines: some organi- the University of Toronto’s Rotman STEPHANIE LAKE/CANADIAN PRESS zations remove job ads at midnight School of Management. James Larsen took part in mock job interviews and was hired by a global management consulting firm. the day of the event, so you may Research employers beforehand, have just hours afterwards to create dress appropriately and follow up — graduated from the Richard Ivey file, since hiring managers from search to make connections be- a customized cover letter and sub- but MBA students can use specific School of Business at Western Uni- these companies will review you tween your MBA knowledge and mit it with your resumé. strategies to gain an edge: versity in 2011. online. Include details about case experiences and the organization’s Tip 10: Check emails or voicemails, Talking with alumni can generate competition wins, scholarships, current activities and labour needs, Miller says, in case the employer or BEFORE THE EVENT useful insights about companies awards, internships and research Miller says. the school contacts you about a for- Tip 1: Use your career centre, Miller participating in information ses- projects, and other noteworthy as- “Highlight what your value propo- mal job interview after the event. says. The Rotman Career Centre sions, Miller says. pects of your MBA experience, says sition is to the employer. What do You may want to return to your provides seminars on networking, Tip 2: Professors can often provide Jennifer McCleary, MBA director you have that the employer needs?” career centre for interviewing tips, job interviewing and creating a re- insider information on companies’ at DeGroote’s Centre for Business Miller says. she adds. sumé and cover letter, organizes workplace culture, employees and Career Development. Tip 5: Don’t overlook junior associ- Ultimately, Larsen says, succeed- alumni panel discussions and offers unadvertised job opportunities, “Are you participating in clubs? ates. McCleary says students tend ing means taking each step in this one-on-one coaching. says Maurice Mazerolle, associate Are you mentoring a junior MBA to network primarily with senior process seriously — and he should Career centre training helped professor of human resources man- student? Are you a tutorial assis- executives — but it’s usually more know. After the Bain event, he was MBA graduate James Larsen, who agement at Ryerson University’s tant for a course or professor’s re- junior associates who can provide invited for a job interview at the recalls participating in mock job in- Ted Rogers School of Management. search assistant? All those experi- the most useful insights. company’s Toronto office, and was terviews with alumni working in “Professors know many people ences demonstrate your skills to an Tip 6: Network broadly. This was a hired as a consultant. the field. and companies, so we encourage employer,” McCleary says. priority for Larsen, who attended “Information sessions are just one “I met people from different firms students to tell us which companies many of these events while at Ivey, aspect of the recruitment process and asked a lot of questions. You get they’re interested in finding out DURING THE EVENT including one held by his target and don’t necessarily get you a job,” a good sense of what the companies about, and we’ll make introduc- Tip 4: Connect the dots. When talk- firm, global management consult- he says. are all about and what’s required in tions,” he says. ing with company executives, use ing firm Bain & Company. “But if you do it right, it puts you in job interviews,” says Larsen, who Tip 3:Maximize your LinkedIn pro- what you’ve learned in your re- “I spoke with partners, managers a good position.”

You are your first case study.

When you think about it, choosing an MBA program is like a business case. You review the facts, assess the opportunities, and then you make the best decision possible. Let’s consider the facts: you’re ambitious and you want a level of success that doesn’t come from a typical classroom education. The opportunity: Ivey’s one-year MBA Program of Case-Method Learning immerses you in real-world business challenges. Every day, you’ll develop your leadership abilities by learning what it takes to make the right decisions. Ready to make your first one?

Ivey MBA Meet our admissions team this Saturday at the QS World MBA Tour, Intercontinental Toronto Centre. For more details, visit us online at go.ivey.ca/events.