From Andy Dennis of Coburg Consultants

 

One month from now, the CRMBA class of 2015 will begin their eight-month corporate residency.

Eight months can seem like a long time. For those of us who entered the MBA program directly from undergrad, this could be the first time in our lives that we set our sights on one thing for eight consecutive months.

Questions like ‘What if I don’t fit in?’… ‘What if I don’t like what I’m doing?’… and ‘How do I make the most of my opportunity?’ are likely flying through the minds of many getting ready to embark on the hallmark experience of Dal MBA. The element of uncertainty is often met with nervous excitement, but one thing is for sure – the corporate residency is one of the most valuable experiences of our young careers.

So how do you make the most of this experience and what will it take to succeed?

“It is important to get comfortable with ambiguity,” says second-year MBA student Laura Fougere, who completed her residency with Bank of Montreal. “The workplace is constantly changing and if you are willing to adapt, you’ll be successful.”

Inevitably, something unexpected will happen during your corporate residency. Don’t panic. Embrace it. You never know what opportunities a new challenge will present.

The corporate residency is a truly unique opportunity. You have an extended period of time to show an employer that you can add value to their organization. In some ways it is like an eight-month interview – for both you and your residency company.

It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to immerse yourself in an organization and experience it’s culture first hand before taking on a permanent position. The best way to learn about an industry and an organization is by talking to those already in it. Especially for larger organizations, it will be impossible to fully understand the different lines of work available to you without branching out and meeting new people. Be eager and ask questions.

All of this may sound intimidating – but remember, you’re not alone. Your coworkers, fellow MBA colleagues both past and present, as well as Dal’s award winning faculty are all there to help. Again, all you need to do is ask.

“We are lucky to have such great resources during our residency, the second year students as well as the faculty, who are always so willing to offer advice and share their experiences”, says Nick Macarthur, a first year MBA student preparing to go on residency. “This allows us to approach our workplace with a greater sense of confidence.”

Finally remember to have fun. Social events can be a great way to get a feel for your organization’s corporate culture. So make sure you soak up the full experience. Eight months may seem like a long time but it will be over before you know it. Get out of the gates early and make the most of your time.