co

career
11 Todays MBA students
come from all
backgrounds

options
17 Networking 2.0: Social
media strategies to
make an impression

21 How to sell your

MBA education to
careeroptionsmagazine.com/MBA employers
FALL 2013

Helping students
find the MBA
Invest in yourself:
program and the business case
post-MBA career for MBA studies
that is right With profiles
for them.
of top Canadian
business schools

e
Flip tzhine
a
mag ore
for meer
Car ns!
Optio
 career options
FALL 2013

21

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

6
ThE MBA
17
MBA Networking
25
Online MBA
An investment 2.0: How to use How to study from
in your future social media a distance
By Tess Allen to build valuable By ACCESS MBA Tour
connections

11
By Danielle Klassen

Opening
career paths 21
Landing a job
Why students from
all disciplines are after graduation
pursuing MBAs Advice from MBA
By Kayla Redstone experts and grads
By Meagan Campbell

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Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 3
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 programsis 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 myselfI 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 capacityall 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 differ-
ence 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

Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 5
 the
an MBA
investment
in your By Tess Allen

future

6 FAL L 20 13 careerop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA


I
ts 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, theres no
question about an MBAs 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 Queens School of Business.
An
MBA is seen
as one of students a wide variety of essential skills.
the most
Among other benefits, MBAs offer students the
opportunity to sharpen their managerial skills
prestigious as well as the flexibility to pursue a full slate of
different careers.
and The hands-on approach in which an MBA is
sought-after taught makes for an especially valuable learning
experience, through work placements and other
degrees collaborations with companies. Unlike many
in the
other disciplines, an MBA is very applied. Its
very difficult to learn about this if its not in an
world.
environment where practitioners and experts and
academics are together, says Murtaza Haider,
associate dean of the MBA program at Ryerson
Universitys Ted Rogers School of Management.
An MBA is designed to develop tomorrows When you become part of this learning exercise
exceptional leaders, valuable team members and community, you see the other side before you
and highly effective managers by instilling in join the other side.
Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 7
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 todays 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 avail-
able 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 pro-
grams at the University of Calgarys 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 Queens MBA program
has a team-based approach that Pires says mirrors
a real-life work environment. Students gain valuable
insight into todays 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.
Entrepreneurship is another skill that students
pick up during their MBA education. Jones says
8 FAL L 2013 care erop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA
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. Were
trying to enhance the capacity.
GMAC
statistics
show that,
on average, the
return on
investment
in an
MBA degree
can be seen in
four years
or less.
Types of programs
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 Queens 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 Masters degree in this
specialization.
Also worth noting is the distinction between MBAs
and Executive MBAs. Haskayne offers both pro-
grams, and each is geared toward different demo-
graphics. 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.
How to get in
MBA programs differ in their application require-
ments. 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.
Queens, like many other MBA schools, accepts
individuals from diverse backgrounds, ages and lev-
els of work experience. They ask for a minimum of
two years of post-graduate work experience so stu-
dents 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 meth-
odology 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 prod-
ucts, 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 Queens, a full 94 percent
of MBA alumni are employed at six months after
graduation, and averaging salaries of $80,000
to $100,000.
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 todays 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.
Were finding here that the MBA has a lot of able to function at an executive level; they want
traction in Calgary where it didnt used to so to impact the leadership, the strategic thinking
much. Were finding that theres been a bit of inside the company. An MBA opens those
shift in the marketplace from the below-ground doors for them.
skills to above-ground skills. The kinds of skills
that traditionally have been taught in an MBA Whatever MBA program you choose to pursue,
program have become quite a bit more one thing is for certain: the skills you will acquire
important, he says. 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
Tess Allen is a third-year journalism and
Calgary is very strong. We even have an employment
communications student at St. Thomas Uni-
office that helps students find job opportunities,
versity in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She
says Jones.
is a columnist and freelancer for the Monc-
ton Times & Transcript and is the current
Seasoned MBA graduates have a variety of doors
arts reporter for The Brunswickan, Canadas
opened up for them post-graduation, says Jones,
oldest official student newspaper.
including opportunities in sectors like telecommunica-
tions, finance and transportation. He also says there
are a number of reasons students opt for an MBA. For more information, please visit:
business.queensu.ca, ryerson.ca/mba,
Often those people who seek an MBA are haskayne.ucalgary.ca,
seeking it as a way to more effectively lead their careeroptionsmagazine.com/mba
organizations. People want the education to be

Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 9
By Kayla Redstone

Opening career paths

Why students from all
disciplines are pursuing MBAs

Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 11
I
f youre thinking of applying to MBA programs but feel
discouraged because you havent taken business courses before,
youll be surprised to hear that the majority of students in some
of Canadas top business schools dont 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 Torontos
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
Rotmans and University of British Columbias 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 UBCs Sauder School of Business. If you dont 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.
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.
12 FAL L 2013 care erop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA
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 werent 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 wont hinder you in your MBA studies
in fact, it might even help you make the most of an MBA.
Da Silva says theres 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 wont 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 under-
graduate 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 whats 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.
MBA EMPLOYER Profile A dvertorial

S cotiaban k

Feel the pulse of the global economy

at Canadas most international bank
Summer Positions:
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
Starting your career at Scotiabanks Global Banking and Markets division as either a summer associate
Vancouver)
or post-MBA hire means you are working for one of the most reputable banks in North America. In fact, Relationship management and
The Banker magazine named Scotiabank its 2012 Global Bank of the Year and Bank of the Year credit-related activities in several
for the Americas. Since 1832, Scotiabank has strived to be the best at helping our customers achieve industry sectors
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.
Post-MBA Positions:
Sales and Trading Associate Program
12-16 month rotational program in
Scotiabanks Global Banking and Markets division provides a full range of corporate and investment
sales, trading and risk management
banking and capital markets products and services to help meet the financing and strategic develop- including an international rotation
ment needs of our clients, including mergers and acquisitions, institutional equity sales, trading and and potential for international
research, debt products, derivatives, foreign exchange and bullion and base metals. Your career can placement
develop in many different ways at Scotiabankour structure is designed to encourage cross-selling, Investment Banking/Mergers and
which means exposure to other products and departments, and cross-training opportunities. Acquisitions Associate
Equity Research Associate
Training and career opportunities Corporate Banking Associate
At Scotiabank, we truly believe in investing in your future. Weve designed our training programs from Locations:
the ground up, with an eye to prepare you for the challenges that lie ahead. All four of our summer Headquarters in Toronto, with locations
associate streams provide hands-on learning and are designed to give you real responsibilities to help in over 55 countries
refine your skills right from the beginning of your career. New graduates may participate in the Capital
Number of Employees:
Ideas Program, an intensive training program developed by the firm. The program is designed to orient
Over 83,000 around the world
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 Contact
things every day and have the support I need to succeed. Email: 
gbmCAMPUS.recruitment@scotiabank.com
Jansen Shrubb
Website:
Rotman School of Management MBA 2011
gbm.scotiabank.com/careers
Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia.

Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 13
It is going to open up a world of opportunities that
you probably dont even know exist now, both in terms
of careers and in terms of the limits and skills you
didnt even know you had.
Advice from the experts
Your mid- to late twenties are the ideal time to do an MBA, says Huber.
In your twenties, your mind is still fresh and youll relate more to your
peers, and you likely wont 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.
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. Its not necessarily all about the coursework.
Its important to research every program you intend to apply to and under-
stand what job outcomes you might expect after graduation, says Harmer.
Its 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 dis-
ciplines often worry that their experience wont be valued by the admissions
committee, so they submit an application that doesnt 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 youre
looking to get out of the MBA and what your priorities are, says da Silva.
Its 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
isnt you.
14 FAL L 2013 care erop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA
What comes next?
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 its related
to your initial field of study or a completely new direction.
It is going to open up a world of opportunities that you probably dont even
know exist now, both in terms of careers and in terms of the limits and skills
you didnt 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, youll excel at it.
After graduation, Huber plans to continuing working in design, but with a
twist. Hes 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 shouldnt 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:
Canadian Students:
Foundation Program (non-business
graduates): $2,519 CAD
MBA/MScIB: $18,870 CAD
Overview:
International Students:
Established in 1936 and located in the city of Nanaimo on Canadas magnificent West Coast, Vancouver
Foundation Program (non-business
Island University is a public university offering an MBA degree in association with the University of
graduates): $4,850 CAD
Hertfordshires Master of Science in International Business (MScIB).
MBA/MScIB: $31,500
The University of Hertfordshire recognizes this program as fulfilling the requirements of the UH MScIB Entry Requirement:
degree. As a result, upon completion of the program, candidates will receive a Canadian MBA and a Two start dates per year (January
andSeptember)
British MScIB from two public universities, opening up a world of opportunities.
Graduates with any undergraduate
degree may apply
This powerful dual Canadian and British degree is highly sought after for its design, which reflects the
No GMAT required
core values of our two universities: teaching excellence, an applied focus, faculty/student interaction,
Work experience preferred, but not
a global learning environment, and a focus on educational and employment success for students from
required
diverse backgrounds.
International Students:
A minimum TOEFL iBT 88 with no
Why VIU for your MBA?
sections under 20, or IELTS 6.5 with no
VIU has a global reputation for excellence and our graduates consistently give us top marks for quality band under 6.0, CAEL 70, or equivalents
of instruction. Each year, over 18,000 new and returning learners, including 1,700 international
Job Acquisition Stats:
students, choose VIU for their education. VIUs inspirational setting, small class sizes, and hands-on
Recent graduates report salaries
research offer students the opportunity to experience the best of both educational activities and of $40,000 $50,000 with many
studentlife. earning $75,000+. On average, 90% of
graduates are working full-time within
VIU is committed to ensure that students are supported, engaged and encouraged to excel. The core 4-8months of graduation (based on
vision of the program is to develop superior managers with global mindset. We help students develop 2012 survey data).
the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in todays 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 Contact
always been and remain VIUs number one priority. Email: study@viu.ca
Phone: +1 250 740 6316
Website: viu.ca/mba

Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 15
MBA School Profile A dvertorial

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
CAD ($)45,000/ Total Program Cost
The Sobey School of Business brings together top-notch teaching, a diverse student body and first-class
EMBA
facilities in our dynamic and challenging MBA program. Our ACCSB-accredited program begins with
an intensive orientation week and is capped off by a team-building retreat, which helps students get Entry Requirements:
to know each other in a relaxed, yet academically rigorous atmosphere. The first year provides a solid Min. GMAT Score: 550
business foundation, with the emphasis on building leadership as well as analytical, problem-solving Min. TOEFL IBT: 100
and decision-making skills. At the Sobey School, we believe in enriched learning through real-world Min. IELTS: 7
application; therefore, we offer opportunities in both years for hands-on experience working on projects Min. Years of Work Experience: 2
for large and small businesses. Company projects and a week-long case competition are highlights of
the first-year experience.
Advanced Standings:
Must have taken two courses in the
subject area covering 80 percent of the
Second-year students tailor their MBA to meet professional and personal goals. Students can focus in a
material and achieved B+ or higher.
specific area or gain further breadth in courses from a variety of disciplines, such as the Management
Four year BComm or BBA grads
Consulting stream offered in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Management Consultants.
with a CGPA of 3.5 or higher may be
Students are able to academically qualify for their consulting designation with the consulting stream.
eligible for our accelerated program
The second year also features experiential learning through a consulting project, which matches student (13 courses).
teams with a company.
Application Fee:
CAD ($) 70
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 expecta-
tions 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 Contact
management of the IMPACT investment fund. The Sobey MBA will help you develop leadership skills Name: Leah Ray, Managing Director,
through a variety of team experiences and classroom instruction. We also provide a comprehensive MBA Program
personal and career development program to assist you in finding meaningful employment. Your MBA Email: mba@smu.ca
experience will be enriched by the opportunity to study with a small cohort of students from a variety of Phone: 01-902-420-5002
domestic and international backgrounds. Website: smu.ca/mba

16 FAL L 2013 care erop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA

 By Danielle Klassen

How to use
social media to
build valuable
connections

T
heyve become the trademarkor perhaps the addictionof
our generation. Theyre 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.

Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 17
 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 thatnetwork.

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.
Its networking 2.0.

When LinkedIn first took off, many of us Millennials were skeptical. Its
social media for middle-agers, some would say, or, Its 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, its essential to invest some

time into your online presence. Its about more than simply existing online;
its 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 Universitys Beedie School of Business.

For Ren Beaulieu, career advisor and employment counsellor at Laval Univer-
sity, you cant initiate strong online networking until you can identify your
specific purpose for being on the platform. I tell students to think of them-
selves 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, its probably not a good idea to write about photography
in your objective statement if youre trying to sell your management skills.

But perfecting your profile alone wont 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 dont
put that much time into developing their business proposition, he warns.

While it may be an old clich, theres 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, its easy to stay up-to-date with
interesting industry updates that your contacts are sharing, and to open
conversations with new contacts.

18 FAL L 2013 care erop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA

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
youve made along the way. Your network consisted
of people you chanced upon, and the degrees of
separation between you and your desired connec-
tions werent always apparent.
When developing your online network, its impor-
tant 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 sug-
gest getting together to talk about old times. With
the endless amount of information available online,
youre sure to find material for an opening line.
gically, its 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 youre looking to break into an indus-
try 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. Its a good place
to start networking online.
While the good old-fashioned acts of looking
someone in the eye, shaking their hand and start-
ing 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 McGills Desautels Faculty
of Management.
LinkedIns clever design not only illustrates how
youre 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 isnt the only way to get a hold of your She suggests sharing information once a week.
desired contacts. Twitter constantly presents Try posting industry news to show that youre
casual opportunities to join conversations that are keeping up with what is happening in your field.
already occurringas long as you can contribute
in fewer than 140 characters. With every connection you make, keep your ulti-
mate networking objectives in mind and act within
Through Twitter Ive met a lot of great people, them. Its not a race for the number of contacts,
says Dalla Vecchia. She recommends using the its about getting in touch with great people who are
tool to scout out people before networking events. actually going to help you get further, says Beau-
Use the events hashtag to find out whos going lieu. Its about staying in touch too, experts agree.
and whom you could meet, and become a promi-
nent part of the conversation before you even The next time youre delaying whatever daunting
enter the building. task awaits, instead of refreshing your page every
few minutes to see what photos your friends
Twitters fast-paced nature means there is hardly uploaded, think about how you could use your
such a thing as being too active. When used strate- time to get ahead. CO
Danielle Klassen is a graduate of Carleton Universitys school of
journalism. With her background in business reporting, Danielle writes
to help readers understand how to navigate todays 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

Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 19
20 FAL L 2013 care erop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA
 By Meagan Campbell

Landing a
job after
graduation
Advice from MBA
experts and grads

A
fter graduating with an MBA from
McMaster Universitys DeGroote
School of Business, Paul Grygle-
wicz found himself in his desired
industryconsulting 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
companys Canadian operations. His role today
offers him his preferred type of work: a balance
between hands-on client engagement, business
strategy, management and entrepreneurialismin
other words, a dream job for a young business
professional. How did he get there? Theres 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 McMasters
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 man-
age 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 increas-
ingly 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: Its not
about what you know or who you know. Its about
who knows you.
Be proactive: Attend networking events, follow
up with people you meet, and reach out to those
youd 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 entrepre-
neurial class.
Research
Connect with alumni mentors:
Many MBA schools have programs that match
students with alumni who have experience in
the students 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 resum. For example, if the
job description includes business-
to-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 net-
working 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 dont have
passion for it, you wont interview well for it,
says Handa. The interview process and potential
rejections will waste time and may shake your
confidence.
Dont 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.

Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 21
Percentage of companies worldwide
know, youll be more likely to be referred to open
hiring MBA graduates, by industry positions that they hear about.

2012
e
Set small goals: While the obvious aim
g
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80% -1
-7 apply to a certain number of postings each
week. These are achievable and will keep
60%
0 you motivated.

40%
Apply for jobs
20% Customize and perfect your
documents: Once you have found a job to
apply for, make sure youre clear on the skills and

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personality that the employer is looking for. Tailor
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Prepare your references: Describe the job

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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.
MBA Grads
Start your search
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.
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 schools
career services centre.
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
the employer is looking for. Bring three or four
copies of a typed reference list to each job inter-
view, and include three or four references unless
otherwise required.
Prepare for the interview
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.
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 Pricewater-
houseCoopers, says to put 100 percent effort into
every interview and to reflect your personality.
Recognize external forces: Remember
that you have no control over the labour market,
other candidates, or an employers preferences.
Gryglewicz is encouraging: Be patient, be humble
and keep a positive mindset. CO

Meagan Campbell is a journalism student at the University of Kings College in

Great question to ask
in a job interview 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
What are some characteristics
meagancampbell@dal.ca
of a person who has been successful
at this role in the past?
Anna Cranston, director of Management For more information, please visit: mba.degroote.mcmaster.ca, bus.brocku.ca/mba,
Career Services, Dalhousie University dal.ca/faculty/management/rsb.html, gmac.com, careeroptionsmagazine.com/mba

22 FAL L 2013 care erop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA

 Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 23
MBA School Profile A dvertorial

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:
CGPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.3 scale) or
high B standing in an international-
ly recognized 4-year bachelor degree
Offered by the oldest English-language university in Canada, the University of New Brunswick Saint or equivalent; 3-year honours degree
Johns Master of Business Administration (MBA) program provides a world-class education and one with at least a second class standing
of the shortest payback periods in North America for one-year or part-time MBAs. Our MBA is an will be considered.
investment in your future, with an intensive program that blends classroom learning with practical Minimum GMAT of 550. The GMAT
applications and real-world experience. Our students enjoy small class sizes, a diverse international may be waived for students with a 3.2
or higher CGPA.
student body, accessible faculty and a dedicated staff. All these elements work together to hone
For international students: TOEFL
the skills you need to compete and succeed in the global marketplace. The program is designed to
score of 580 (237 CBT; 93 IBT) and
encourage students to think creatively and develop business ideas that can lead to entrepreneurial
TWE of 4.5; CAEL 60; IELTS 7; or
opportunities upon graduation. Students will benefit from the entrepreneurial mindset and leadership equivalent.
capabilities of our faculty members. Minimum of two years of relevant
post-graduate work experience.
Concentrations Personal statement.
Our program offers four streams and two program options. International Business gives you the Apply by May 31 to be eligible for
opportunity to gain a deep understanding of doing business in other trade regions by pursuing bursaries. Bursary details are avail-
studies in North America, Europe and Asia. Entrepreneurship and Technology Management includes able at www.mba.unbsj.ca/apply/
an active role in a new venture or established technology firm. General Management students FinancialAid
may compose a broad program of study and work experience that helps them along their chosen Job Acquisition Statistics:
career path. Accounting (new in 2014) will prepare you for a CMA, CGA or CA designation. Project 35% employed to graduation
Management will prepare you to challenge the PMI examination and gain either the PMP or CAPM 78% within 6 months
designation. Alternately, you may complete research within any of the streams with a UNB Saint John 100% within 12 months
facultymember.
Average salary: $65,000

Why UNB Saint John?

UNB ranks among the top six comprehensive universities in Canada, according to the Macleans 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 Contact
mentor. A low student-to-professor ratio guarantees access to respected educators and visiting scholars. Name: Sarah Craig
UNB offers value for your investment. A compact, comprehensive, cost-effective one-year program Email: scraig@unb.ca
minimizes both your real cost and your opportunity cost. Phone: 506-648-5973
Website: mba.unbsj.ca

24 FAL L 20 13 careerop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA

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, its not right for everyone. Its important to weigh
your options and ask yourself if you can handle the pressure of learning from home.

Ca reer O p t io n s M BA FA LL 2 0 1 3 25

A growing trend
According to the National Center for Education
Statistics, about 20.4 percent of all undergradu-
ates 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 interfer-
ence 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 schooltaking 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 incorpo-
rate the coursework into your personal schedule.
Students are given the course material and a set
of deadlinesthis style of online education is
designed for self-motivated people who do not
tend to procrastinate.
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 sched-
ule, blended learning allows students to complete
26 FAL L 2013 care erop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA
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. Theyre required to complete the course-
work 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, mid-
terms and final exams. Even more so, if you are
enrolled in a distance learning course, you will
have set locations for reviews and exams.
Katia Vasileva, who recently completed a four-
semester 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
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 youre 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 Groupan 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 edu-
cation recruitment. The Access MBA Tour
is a series of 60 One-to-One events per year
held in 35 countries inEurope, 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 representa-
tives. 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 backin
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
28 FAL L 2013 care erop ti o n smaga zin e.com /M BA