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Corporate Residency MBA

Interviews with students and alumni

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Now and Then – Advice from the 2014s

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Last week we gave our readers a front row seat to see how our class of 2015 is doing on their residencies. In the spirit of keeping things balanced, this week’s blog is centered on how are second-years are coping with the last few weeks as CRMBA students.

From grad photos to job interviews, our CLASS OF 2014 is putting the final touches on what has been an exciting and challenging 21 months. We’ve put them on the hot seat.

Now that you have almost completed your CRMBA, what advice would you give to those thinking of joining Dalhousie’s MBA community?

Andrew Frazer

Undergraduate Degree: B.B.A, Acadia

Corporate Residency: Scotiabank, Toronto

“I’d encourage anyone thinking of joining Dalhousie’s MBA community to recognize that they have an opportunity to be a part of a growing family and network of MBA alumni working across the country. There is something about the camaraderie that goes along with being a Dal MBA that I don’t think you necessarily find in all other MBA programs. People are proud to have come from this program and as a prospective member you have an opportunity to not only be a part of the tremendous network of current students, faculty, and alumni but also an opportunity to put your stamp on the program and the Rowe School of Business through student societies, case competitions, and other extracurricular initiatives. The Rowe name and brand is only going to continue to grow and as a new member of the Dal MBA community you have an opportunity to be a big part of that growth.”

Aaron Bonnor

Undergraduate Degree: B.B.A, Vancouver Island

Corporate Residency: Calgary Lock and Safe

“I would say that it is what you make of it. There are a lot of ways through this MBA, but the reality is that you are here to get a job. If you are not doing everything possible to either find that job or make yourself more employable, you probably won’t get as much out of it as you could have.”

Becky Rogez

Undergraduate Degree: BSc, Biology and Psychology, St. Francis Xavier

Corporate Residency: Centre for Entrepreneurship Education & Development (CEED), Halifax

“Dalhousie’s network is second to none. Don’t be afraid to reach out to alumni – you’ll be shocked at the connections you can make and the places that those connections can lead you.”

Megan Kunder

Undergraduate Degree: B.A Honours, Kinesiology, Western

Corporate Residency: DHX Media, Halifax

“My advice would be to find a program with the right fit… The program is so much more than just school work. So speak with as many people as possible in order get a feel of what the program and students are like.”

Victoria Armour

Undergraduate Degree: B.B.A, Acadia

Corporate Residency: Winner Merchant International, Mississauga

“My number one piece of advice would be to balance your priorities properly. For me it’s all about time management and hitting a strong work-life balance”

Kaleigh Brinkhurst

Undergraduate Degree: BSc, NSAC

Corporate Residency: Scotiabank Commercial Banking, Halifax

“Make sure you challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone early on. The first summer semester is a great time to take risks. Whether it is arranging for informational interviews with someone you don’t know, presenting in a different style or taking a course that you have no back ground in. The more you challenge yourself and take these risks now, the more you learn about yourself and what you are capable of doing in the work force. Your cohort is a support network and is the perfect audience to test your knowledge and capabilities – just be ready to accept feedback!”

 

Gray Little

Undergraduate Degree: BSc Chemistry, Dalhousie

Corporate Residency: BMO Financial Group, Toronto

“The CRMBA program is all about what you put into it, the more time you spend developing your relationships, studying and getting involved the more rewarding the experience will be.”

Christina Goudy

Undergraduate Degree: BSc Earth Sciences, Dalhousie

Corporate Residency: Scotiabank, Toronto

“Be open to change. I think you need to be willing to grow yourself personally and professionally. I would hope that that’s why anyone would want to join the program in the first place, but I think what people want and what they do in practice are often two different things.”

Dustin Johnson

Undergraduate Degree: B. Philosophy, New Brunswick

Corporate Residency: Hydro One, Barrie

“I would tell prospective students, that although it’s good to speak with administrators and faculty members about the program, talking to current students should be an important part of the information search. Whereas the program administrators can tell you how good the program is, talking to students will help you determine if this program is a good fit for you.”

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Offsetting Tuition

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People are constantly worried about the price tag associated with an MBA. Well let me tell you something, it is not nearly as high as it appears.

Dalhousie’s Corporate Residency MBA has a proven formula for success. Last year 97% of its graduating students were employed within three months of walking across the stage at convocation. Great odds, if I do say so myself.

Business people are always concerned about their return on investment (ROI). Essentially, will I get more back than I put in? Well I’m about two months away from graduating and here’s how I see it playing out…

According to Statistics Canada, the average salary for someone with an undergrad degree after two years on a job is $45,000. Me, I decided to invest those two years and pursue an MBA here at Dalhousie. The average CRMBA graduate earns a starting salary of $65,000. Considering tuition is roughly $44,000 (paid in four installments over course the program), my ROI is already in good condition.

But, it gets even better.

The cornerstone of the MBA program is the 8-month Corporate Residency each student embarks on. Me, I did mine with Eastlink. Not only did my residency give me valuable work experience and potential post-graduation opportunities, but the average residency pays candidates $27,500 – a decent wage that helped me offset tuition costs.

There are also a ton of scholarships that are catered to our CRMBA program.

Everyone offered admission into the program is automatically considered for a scholarship. Plus, the Rowe School of Business hands out scholarships to recognize undergraduate excellence. Subject-based scholarships are given out to entrance and returning students – like the Douglas C. Mackay Scholarship for those pursuing a career in the financial industry.

Aside from scholarships, candidates can make money through the student-owned consulting groups, which are companies passed down from generation to generation of MBAs. These are real-working firms that bid on contracts within the school and outside in the business community at large. There’s a lot learn and money to be made from these firms – I know from experience.

Case competitions are another way to help offset the cost of tuition. Dalhousie is ramping up its efforts  on this front, and training teams to compete in national competitions with hefty prize money. Next month, three colleagues and I are participating in the Haskayne 24-Hour Case Competition in Calgary – vying for a prize pot of $16,000. Cases are both exhilarating and financially rewarding.

The CRMBA program works closely with its Employer Partner Scotiabank to get financial assistance for candidates admitted into the program. I took out a loan with Scotiabank before I first started the program, and I already have most of it paid off.

At the end of the day, tuition is far more affordable than you think. The numbers speak for themselves.

Cashing in on Super Bowl XLVIII

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By Luke Armstrong of Coburg Consultants

This Sunday about 100 million people will tune in to watch the Super Bowl, myself included. It’s no secret that the big game means big business, but just how much money changes hands might surprise you.

Total consumer spending for this year’s Super Bowl is estimated to hit ten BILLION dollars. That’s nearly as much as was spent on Black Friday this year (about $14 billion) and about five times more than Cyber Monday (about $1.7 billion).

The Super Bowl is also about 0.06% of the US GDP – pretty impressive for a football game.

Many tickets are not actually sold to the general public. The tickets that are sold to “Average Joes”, however, often make their way to secondary markets as demand drives the prices up. You can still score tickets on StubHub for the nosebleeds in MetLife Stadium at a price of $1,637 per seat. If you’d rather relax in a lower bowl suite, it’ll cost you $686,720. Parking runs from $180 to $3,300.

You can’t watch the Super Bowl at home without a cold drink and a nice spread of snacks. About 49 million cases of beer were purchased for last year’s Super Bowl, which works out to almost two beers each for every American man, woman, and child.

And don’t forget the chicken wings, a staple of Super Bowl parties across the continent. The US National Chicken Council expects Americans to slurp 1.25 billion chicken wings this year, up 4% over last year. Consumption is expected to increase because wings are relatively cheaper this year. The drought of Summer 2012 caused corn prices to rise, which in turn increased feed costs and chicken prices for early 2013.

I’m not a gambling man, but many are. Last year, $98.9 million was wagered legally in Las Vegas casinos. Mint estimates that total gambling (including illegal wagers) on the Lombardi trophy could be more than $8 billion. You can bet on pretty much anything, including the colour of the winning team’s Gatorade bath, the length of the national anthem, and whether the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be wearing shirts.

Of course, you can’t talk about the business of the Super Bowl without talking advertising. Companies spend huge dollars on ad development and planning even before the airtime purchase, which is averaging $3.75 million per 30-second spot.

But Super Bowl ads are more than just a TV spot – they’ve become a bona fide cultural phenomenon. Companies now release Super Bowl ad trailers, like this one from Volkswagen. Some proposition a choose-your-own adventure for consumers, such as H&M’s ad featuring David Beckham.

Is broadcast advertising dead or do these ads confirm it is alive and well? Can you even count today’s Super Bowl ads as broadcast media or are they fully-integrated interactive consumer communication? These are some of the discussions we’re having in class this week at the Dalhousie CRMBA.

Enjoy the game!

Remembrance Day

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The Rowe was overflowing with Poppies this week, and what a sight it was.

Most CRMBAs pinned this symbol of remembrance to their suits, blazers or jackets – showing respect, while paying tribute the soldiers who sacrificed their lives so we could live ours.

We asked members of the CRMBA community – What does Remembrance Day mean to you?

Here is what some had to say:

Dan Shaw – Director, Corporate Residency MBA

“Remembrance Day is an opportunity for us to pause and be thankful for the Canada that we have today. The freedom, democracy and quality of life that Canada offers was put in jeopardy by the WW1, WW2, Korea and other conflicts. I think about my family members who served; and the many regular people who did extraordinary things to preserve our way of life.”

Scott Comber – Assistant Professor, Corporate Residency MBA

“Technically, the 11th day of the 11th month was to signify and remember the end of WWI, and those that gave their lives during that war. However, wars continued and my grandfathers were sent to WWII and my father to both the Korean and Vietnam wars. This Remembrance Day I will remember those not with us, celebrate those who came home, be grateful of the privilege that I have been granted and pray for fathers and sons that continue to fight.”

Jessica Sinclair – CRMBA Candidate ‘15

“Remembrance Day is about appreciating and reflecting upon the past struggles we have faced not only as Canadians but in the international context. Many Canadians, myself included, have family members that sacrificed for the pursuit of peace and justice. Remembrance Day reminds us how important these concepts are, how easily they deteriorate and how hard they are to regain.”

Mary Eleanor Walker – Coordinator of Recruitment, CRMBA ‘13

“I am grateful on Remembrance Day, and reflect upon my memories of my grandfather whose humility prevented me from fully understanding his experience in World War II. However, I think of him very strongly on this day and am grateful for his service and the service of so many others in Canada and around the world.”

Kimberte William – CRMBA Candidate ‘14

“When I think of Remembrance Day, I think sacrifice and dedication to a cause bigger than ourselves. While I cannot relate personally to the celebration of those lives extinguished in the line of duty, I can relate to the importance of that sacrifice which allows us to maintain our freedoms. Freedoms such as the right to learn, expand our horizons and take on the world, all espoused in this MBA program.”

Kathleen Leadbeater – CRMBA Candidate ‘15

“To me, Remembrance Day is a time to remember those who sacrificed their lives while serving our country during times of war, as well as a time to recognize those who continue to serve today. It’s important to always recognize these individuals, but having a formal day of remembrance reinforces the importance of the sacrifices these individuals have made.”

Chad LeClair ­– CRMBA ‘11

“Living in our current time it can often be difficult to understand why war would ever take place. Remembrance Day reminds us that there are times when heroes are needed and when war is waged to keep our freedom and make the world a better place.”

Christina Meagher – CRMBA Candidate ‘15

“So growing up, my grandfather told me stories of his time serving in the Navy, and how his uncle nearly died in World War II. To me, Remembrance Day is about recognizing all that they, and others, have sacrificed, and it’s a reminder that Canadians are still out there fighting for peace.”

Kevin Bernard – CRMBA Candidate ‘14

“My grandpa is a WWII vet. He came back from the war and had six kids that turned into fifteen grandkids. Every year on Remembrance Day, I call him to thank him for his service because without it, I wouldn’t be here. He has trouble remembering now because of Alzheimer’s, but I still called Monday to thank him.”

A cornerstone of Dalhousie’s CRMBA program is the diversity of backgrounds, disciplines and perspectives that add to the richness of the culture we so proudly immerse ourselves in.

Remembrance Day reminds us all how fortunate we really are.

CRMBA Giving Back

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From Kyle Palantzas of Coburg Consultants

Inside Ride 2013

With the warmth of Thanksgiving top-of-mind, and our turkey hangovers behind us, Coburg dedicates this week’s blog to highlighting the efforts and giving spirit of Dalhousie’s CRMBA students.

“Giving back is extremely important for our program, especially as it matures,” says second year candidate Becky Rogez. “The more that we can get out there in the community, the more that we grow our name and our brand and the more valuable our degree becomes. Giving back also helps people become entrenched in the community that they want to live and work in.”

CRMBA students, better known as “Rowebots,” gain energy from coming together and donating their time and efforts for good causes and community betterment. From selling 50/50 tickets to participating in food and clothing drives, running marathons to hosting charity dinner galas – the Rowebots take pride in promoting good.

On tap next for these go-getters is A Toast to the Coast.

This Friday marks the 9th year of the black tie event, a great milestone for the gala fundraising dinner that supports the Breast Cancer Foundation. Since its inception, the MBA-run soirée has raised over $60,000, with every penny staying in Atlantic Canada. This year’s goal is to raise $12,000 – an ambitious target for the ambitious Rowebots.

“Everyone who has ever participated in the event is always more than willing to help; it’s a community in and of itself that spans over 9 generations of Dal MBA grads,” says Rogez, who is co-chairing this year’s festivities. “It’s really a legacy of the program, as it stands for hope and camaraderie.”

Supporting a similar cause, the CRMBAers poured out their sweat and tears and laid it all on the line last week during The Inside Ride fundraiser – an indoor cycling challenge that raises money for children living with cancer.  Joining forces with other programs across campus, the Rowebot’s energy and enthusiasm helped raise over $12,000 for the worthy cause.

“Opportunities like these give our grad students the chance to give back to the community, promote our program, and have some fun outside the heavy course load,” says CRMBA candidate and Inside Ride Leader Irina Bojinescu. “We look forward to getting geared up in the coming months to support this great cause at other events and venues.”

However, the Rowebots don’t have to go far to make a contribution. Giving back is also engrained inside the classroom, as the CRMBA curriculum supports, encourages and even evaluates this drive to help others.

This year the program launched the Make a Difference (MAD) project, a cross-course integrative that requires students to think about how they can make a meaningful difference in the community – and then go out and actually do it.

“The Make a Difference project is a stand-out feature for the second year of our CRMBA program,” says Chaired Professor Jim Barker, who helped create the initiative. “Our students can showcase their value-creation talents and business acumen by taking a project from concept to execution, leaving a legacy they can look back on with pride.”

From ethics conferences to bottle drives, cleaning the streets to safe sex campaigns, the Rowebots are knee-deep in the planning stages of this 8-month initiative. Next week, the teams are putting their ideas centre stage and pitching to a select group of faculty and employer partners.

On an even bigger stage, some students in the Strategic Management of International Business Operations are putting together their social business ideas to compete in the annual Hult Prize. The Rowebots are going up against other students from across the globe, attempting to establish a sustainable and scalable social enterprise to combat non-communicable diseases – with the winning team taking home $1 million in seed capital.

Personally, I’m honoured to be part of this group. I applaud all our efforts, welcome new ideas and encourage positive change.

 

Pitch Perfect – Your Pitch is Your Brand

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If you were given 60 seconds to impress a room full of employers, what would you say?  Over the years this question has taken a life of its own, as CRMBA students  strive to make career-changing impressions and ultimately land that “dream job” interview.

“The Elevator Pitch is incredibly important as it sets the tone for what you’re all about,” says former MBA President Christie Lang. “Employers see it as an insight into who you are as a person and as a potential employee.”

The Elevator Pitch, as it’s known around the Rowe Building, is a nerve wracking professional development exercise that kicks off Interview Day. In a nutshell, each student is given one minute to convince employers from some of Canada’s leading firms to give them a “first impression interview” – putting each candidate’s experiences, ambitions and personalities centre-stage.

“The pitches are something we get excited for every year,” says Ally Howard, the program’s Corporate Residency Manager.  “The exercise adds another dimension to the application process and is an important part of a student’s personal brand and value proposition to our employers. It’s really remarkable what some students convey in under a minute.”

Last year’s pitches turned heads on Interview Day, as employers conducted a program-record 250 interviews, including 37 first impressions. As a result five candidates were hired based on their pitches, while the entire cohort secured a residency on time. In fact, the CRMBA Program has never had a student not get hired by an employer partner – a feat Howard and her team at Management Career Services plan to keep intact.

“I was nervous about my elevator pitch, not just because it was a daunting experience selling myself in 60 seconds to a large group of significant employers, but because it was the only opportunity for me to get that finance job I really wanted,” admits Heather Rashotte, who was successful in turning her pitch into a residency. “I was my awkward, funny, dorky self during my pitch and I used my perceived weaknesses as strengths. The whole experience was exhilarating, and I still use my pitch at various networking events in the corporate banking environment.”

Just recently, the 2015 CRMBA cohort condensed their list of attributes and experiences into mere seconds and successfully carried on the tradition.  CRMBA students are taught to leverage their resources, and past pitches have used props, recited poems, quoted famous speeches and even played sports – all in the spirit of securing a residency.

“Your goal isn’t to get a job with the elevator pitch. It’s to get people interested and excited about you enough that they want to get to know you better,” says Lang, who became a proud alumna in May. “Don’t try to pack everything you have to offer into 60 seconds; rather, make a positive and memorable impression on one key aspect of your personality or experiences.”

According to Career Coach and Executive Recruiter Rosemary Hook, there are a few “game-changing” components to perfecting your elevator pitch.  A champion pitcher makes every second count and strives to be memorable, agile and relevant. At the end of the day, your personal brand sinks or swims during your pitch.

“If you can get through a solo pitch in front of a packed room, you can do anything,” says CRMBA student Megan Maltby, who recently completed her residency with First Angel Network. “I think the elevator pitch really gives students the opportunity to overcome a major hurdle. The confidence that I gained after getting through my pitch carried over into my interviews, my residency and hopefully for the rest of my career.”

Dalhousie’s CRMBA program prides itself on teaching and cultivating its students beyond the classroom. A strong emphasis is placed on personal and professional development, and the elevator pitch is a leap in the right direction.

“In my job now I constantly need to make an impression about myself and my company in a very short period of time,” explains Lang, who currently works for CarbonCure Technologies.  “The ability to give an effective pitch is a skill that you’ll continually use throughout your entire career.”