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Corporate Residency MBA

Interviews with students and alumni

Category: Corporate Residencies

Preparing for Residency: How to Start on the Right Foot

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January quickly approaches, along with the beginning of the first-year students’ residencies. As excitement (and nerves) are building, it is easy to stress out and lose sight of what’s really important. To help avoid this, here are 10 quick tips to get off on the right foot:

Dress to Impress

First impressions are incredibly important. After all, you’ll never get a second chance to make a first impression with someone. When in doubt, ask your manager what the dress expectations are, and consider going slightly above this. Remember: Better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Know where to go

This might seem like a no-brainer, but make sure you know where you’re going. Prior to your first day, take a trip to the neighbourhood where your office building or workplace is located. You can also use this opportunity to scope out the parking lot and find the right door to enter. If you aren’t physically able to make the trip beforehand, try exploring the area on Google Maps’ street view. This will allow you to avoid any oversights, and will help to calm the nerves.

Arrive early

The last thing you want to have happen on your first day is to plan your trip to work perfectly, only to be surprised with a delay due to traffic. Depending on the length of your commute, plan on arriving around a half hour early. Arriving early will make a great impression. If you’ve budgeted too much extra time, simply grab a coffee nearby or read the paper while you wait.

Plan your coffee and meals

While buying coffee OUT can be an easy habit to fall into, this small cost will add up quickly. Buying a $3 coffee every day totals to over $1,000 in a year. Buying your lunch every work day is even more expensive, easily costing over $2,500 annually. Consider packing your meals and beverages to cut down on costs and you could save a few thousand dollars each year.

Be confident in your abilities

It’s natural to feel nervous about how you’ll perform in your new job; remember that you got hired for a reason. Your qualifications and experiences up until this point have lead you here, and your employer has seen potential in you. Have confidence in your abilities, and don’t be afraid to volunteer to help out if the opportunity arises. This residency is a chance not only to practice what you know, but also to learn new skills.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Many residency partners have had students from previous cohorts in the past. Don’t be shy to reach out to these individuals, as they are more than happy to help and can prove to be invaluable resources. Whether you are looking for quick tips for success in the corporate environment or insights on what the company culture will be like, your fellow students and alumni have been in your shoes and will have plenty of insights to offer.

Likewise, once you begin your residency, don’t be afraid to direct questions to your co-workers and managers. If you’re worried that you’re asking too many questions, consider making a list to ask during a status meeting with your manager. While it is perfectly acceptable and expected to ask for help, you should also be prepared. Have some potential solutions at hand when requesting assistance to demonstrate that you’re organized and resourceful.

Show initiative

During your time with your employer organization, there will be times where you have additional capacity. Take advantage of this time to further your growth by taking on additional tasks. Ask your manager and coworkers if there is anything else that you could provide them assistance with. If you’ve still got additional time, find ways to create value for your organization such as by helping to organize shared drives or creating status documents for projects. Many organizations also have volunteer programs, which could provide an extra chance to add value to the company.

Set goals for yourself

Your two primary goals heading into your residency should be to provide value to your organization and to achieve personal growth. While your value creation should come somewhat naturally with the guidance of your employer, your personal growth is in your own hands. Before starting, take some time to reflect on what skills and abilities you’re hoping to gain from this experience. Then, once you’re on your residency, keep an eye out for opportunities to assist with tasks that will help you achieve these skills. Be sure to take some time every couple of weeks to evaluate your progress and to set new goals when necessary.

Network

As you get in the hustle and bustle of your residency, networking can find itself pushed to the backburner. To help avoid this, give yourself a concrete target to hit, such as going for a networking coffee or informational interview once a week or twice a month. This will provide you with a tangible objective to help keep this a priority. Lunch times and company events also provide an easy opportunity to network with coworkers. In addition, keep an eye out for a potential mentor who can provide you with guidance, introduce you to useful contacts, and help shape your networking strategy.

Be excited

Don’t forget, you are at the start of a great opportunity. If you’re not enthusiastic about your presence at the company, why should anyone else be? Regardless of whether your residency represents the chance to dip your toes in a new industry or the first step towards accomplishing your dream, this is an opportunity to kickstart your future career and gain invaluable experience that you’ll leverage down the line. Be excited, have fun, and good luck!

 

Co-op versus Residency: What’s the Difference?

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“Actually, it’s not a co-op. It’s an eight-month residency position…”

As a newly hired residency student, I ended up making the distinction between co-op and residency positions a lot. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing: one could even argue that the minor correction was an incredibly useful icebreaker. I got a chance to explain my role and responsibilities, my areas of expertise, and the uniqueness of Dal’s MBA Corporate Residency program.

So, what are some differences between a co-op and a residency? I’m so glad you asked!

Eight months go by FAST.

Eight months go by FAST.

Length

First and foremost is the length. Most co-op programs last an average of 3 months, providing students with a short glimpse at the company’s inner workings. Dal’s corporate residency is an 8-month experience, which allows MBA students to dive deeper into their roles.

In the course of my 8-month marketing position as a Digital Business Analyst at Panasonic Canada Inc. in Mississauga, Ontario, I had the opportunity to take a project from conception to execution. Shorter co-ops might allow students to work on numerous projects in various stages of development; however, the experience of following a single project through every stage gave me a unique insight. I can now better understand how much effort, time, and resources are needed to prepare a marketing campaign from start to finish.

This doesn’t mean I only worked on a single project, though. I still received the full experience of dipping into numerous other campaigns throughout the residency.

Expectations

Employers have higher expectations for the performance and productivity of residency students. As a student of the MBA Corporate Residency program, I was not there to simply fetch coffees and take notes. (In fact, the only coffee I ever fetched was my own.)

Instead, I was expected to analyze situations, deliver insights, and produce truly valuable work. By the end of the residency, I was managing plenty of projects and responsibilities in my own right.

Networking

You can never have too many networking opportunities, especially as an MBA student. Residencies offer plenty of these opportunities, whether this involves building relationships with the company’s higher-ups or collaborating on projects with teams from other organizations or even hobnobbing at fancy business events.

Just being at the company for a full eight months exposed me to many more of these opportunities. It also provided me the time to fully break out of my introvert-shell to build meaningful relationships with company mentors and peers. While I would have still met many of these people during a shorter co-op, the longer period of time deepened these relationships.

Goals and Evaluations

The corporate residency was supported by a number of unique features to help guide students’ learning experiences over the eight months. A goal setting exercise at the start of the residency really aided me in making the most of my residency; entering the work situation with these goals in mind helped me to tackle known weak areas and build upon strengths in a more strategic manner.

Two evaluations also provided useful feedback from my bosses and coworkers. The Midterm Evaluation by my boss provided useful information on my performance, allowing me to adjust work habits as needed for the final four months. A 360 Performance Evaluation by both bosses and coworkers took place at the end of the residency, and provided further insights that I can continue to build upon during the remainder of my degree.

 

These are just four key differences between co-op and residency positions. To learn more about the Corporate Residency experience, visit:

 

Meagan Bell is a member of Dal’s MBA Class of 2018, where she focuses on creative marketing and strategy. Meagan’s academic passions served her well during her corporate residency at Panasonic Canada Inc. this summer, where she worked on various digital marketing projects.

Halifax: The Gateway to Canada

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Every year, new international students are welcomed to Halifax universities; Dalhousie alone counts students from over 115 countries among its student body. One such international student is Dina Ding. Dina is a bright and articulate student originally from Beijing, and currently completing her MBA. Her varied career interests include marketing, strategic planning, and corporate finance. This week, Coburg Consultants sat down with Dina and chatted about how Halifax is the perfect fit for international students wanting to experience Canadian culture for the first time.

Q: What are the main reasons you chose Dalhousie for your MBA?

I chose Dalhousie mainly because it has one [eight-month] residency, which I think is appropriate since I want Canadian work experience to decide if I want to stay after graduation, but don’t want to spend time looking for jobs multiple times, such as McMaster’s co-op.  The other reasons are the small class size and reasonable tuition comparatively.

Q: What advice do you have for international students thinking about moving to Halifax?

I would suggest incoming students prepare more of the business-related knowledge before coming since I had a hard time transitioning business field study initially, especially in English. Another piece of advice is to understand the Canadian educational system better, especially how grades are earned in each class. I didn’t pay any attention to the different weighting of assignments and exams and learned a tough lesson.

Q: How does Halifax fit into your Canadian journey?

I traveled to Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, and Montreal before coming to Halifax; I traveled to a couple of cities in Maritime provinces too. After graduation, I’ll live in Halifax for a while and then probably move away. I haven’t decided if I want to move to other places in Canada or back to China.

Moving to Halifax definitely does open doors to the rest of Canada! Whether you want to spend a few years studying here before moving to Toronto or Vancouver or spend the rest of your life in Halifax, it’s all possible.

Landing the Job: Management Career Services

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Landing the Job 

The CRMBA program is – above all else – a professional program. This means that among its many purposes, the primary one is preparing students for success in their chosen career paths. To this end, Management Career Services (MCS) exists to support CRMBA students as they look to land their first job offer (more than one hopefully!). With a dedicated staff and an array of programs/events throughout the year, they are able to provide support to and tailor their resources for first-year and second-year cohorts respectively; whether you’re looking to prepare for residency or in the final stretch before graduation, MCS can help.

First Year 

During the summer semester, the CRMBA program is highly structured; all students work closely together, taking the same courses, and preparing for the culmination of the term: Interview Day.

For those who are new to the program, Interview Day can seem daunting. A 3-day marathon in early September, it begins with students attending a networking event with employer partners. Even before the event, employers will have perused the cohort’s resume book and chosen which students they would like to interview. This is followed by a series of in-person interviews on the second day and a third day of Skype interviews (make sure your WiFi is good!). Through this process, a number of CRMBA students will secure a corporate residency position for January. Despite how stressful it sounds though, MCS is there for students every step of the way: providing resume reviews, engaging in mock interviews and facilitating coaching on how to create a compelling personal pitch.

For those students who do not find the right fit for them during Interview Day however, there are still plenty of opportunities. MCS regularly posts Dalhousie MBA-specific job openings, sets up meetings through their extensive professional network and coaches CRMBAs in the right skills they need to nail an interview. At the same time, they invite many reputable companies to give information sessions and networking events; an important and common way for students to get noticed and hired.

mcsteam (1)

Team MCS

Second Year 

After returning from residency and resuming studies, the focus of PPE and MCS switches to preparation for graduation. After spending eight months working full-time, students have a much clearer idea of what they would like to do professionally. For many CRMBA students, returning to their residency organization for full-time post-graduation employment is a great option; for others, the hunt begins.

At this stage, MCS provides assistance in preparing students for the September rush of finance, consulting and rotational program applications. It also conducts the Toronto Connect tour in the winter: a 3-day event in which MCS arranges a series of information sessions and networking events with employers in Toronto. As always too, MCS is more than willing to help a student prepare for a big interview, polish a resume or make a connection.

These efforts go a long way to assist students in securing work. And while it is always the responsibility of the student to take charge of their career, build a network and forge their own path, the CRMBA program does all that it can to facilitate that process.

Sandler: A Cut Above the Rest

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Every year, a few CRMBA students have diligently pulled themselves away from their studies and friends to attend a prestigious training program across the harbour in Dartmouth. This program, known as Sandler Training Nova Scotia, has provided hundreds of business professionals with sales and leadership training; and for the past ten years, its been generously offered to a select number of students free of charge.

Those lucky enough to be selected are put through an intense training program (September-January) consisting of theory, role playing, and more. For some, the experience can be completely new: immersive and challenging at the same time. The common refrain though? You get out what you put in:

I was told by the students I consulted – as well as instructors – that you get out what you put in. At first, it was a bit tricky diving into the theory and getting the hang of role playing when I was not actually representing a business. So I decided to tailor each topic to the “role” that would provide me the most benefit, whether it be Camille the applicant or Camille the employee. Overall, the experience has been a unique opportunity to push the envelope and engage in an area I had no formal training in. – Camille Chandra, MBA Class of 2017 

But beyond the obvious application that training in sales can provide, students have walked away with other (sometimes surprising) lessons from the experience:

I think this program is best suited for somebody who may see sales as a part of their career interests, but needs to bridge the gap between workplace and formalized experience. The neat part is where you can apply the methodology to yourself (i.e. seeking job opportunities). Whatever the reason, there are numerous applications of the curriculum, and the instructors are happy to tailor your experience to your specific needs. – Camille Chandra

Why Sandler?

But what makes students keep coming back? Speaking with past graduates of the program, the common theme was the many unexpected ways the program has helped them in their professional career. While many of these individuals have ended up in sales/sales-related positions, others have gone into unrelated fields, but still carry the lessons they learned so many years ago in Dartmouth with them:

Moving forward I am eager to include Sandler training on my resume and to discuss my skills with prospective employers. My participation in the program has given me the confidence to pursue a sales oriented career path. An important insight has been that sales isn’t about product features, but instead about solving problems – this can be applied in so many corporate scenarios. – Celia Peters, MBA Class of 2017

Why Dalhousie?: Students Speak

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This year, QS Global 250 Business Schools Report ranked Dalhousie’s Rowe School of Business (RSB) as one of the best business schools in the world. But why? How is it that with all the possibilities out there, students are consistently choosing RSB? We explored these questions and found three key factors that make Dalhousie an excellent choice:

Halifax 

It’s easy sometimes to forget how lucky we are to live in this city. We enjoy ocean adjacent property; yet because of our size, both beaches and ski hills are only minutes away. We also have some of the best nightlife and festivals on the East Coast, from the Halifax Pop Explosion to Jazz Fest. During the school year, the areas surrounding campus and the downtown are bustling, a pleasant mix of locals and students. Winters are mild (if a bit long) and summers idyllic (did we mention the beach yet?)

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CRMBA Program

Another reason students pick Dalhousie – and RSB in particular – is the unique CRMBA program.

For me, the main reasons for picking Dal and the CRMBA program were: 1) Career pivot 2) the Corporate Residency, 3) job prospects with an MBA – Camille Chandra, MBA Class of 2017

Many students would agree wholeheartedly with the above. In fact, because most of the cohort comes from a non-business background, the ability to pivot into a business role is an energizing and essential experience. This is greatly helped by the integrated eight-month Corporate Residency and job prospects which open new and exciting career paths that students would otherwise have not thought of.

The Cohort (i.e. friends!)

Most importantly though are the people. Every year, around 50 MBA students join the program; they are not only joining a great academic program, they are also gaining an invaluable network.

I come from a large undergrad where I barely knew 5 people in my program, and this program is completely different. Now I can say I have 50 best friends! It’s an empowering feeling always knowing you’ll have that network there for support years after graduation – Marcia Peters, MBA Class of 2017

Students like Marcia will go on to have long and successful careers in a variety of fields. But the friendships they make at Dalhousie, the colleagues they gain, and the alumni they become a part of, follow them throughout Canada and the world at large.

Corporate Residencies: An International Perspective

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For prospective international students, one of the main benefits of the Dalhousie Corporate Residency MBA (CRMBA) is the effect that the corporate residency has on your ability to find long-term employment in Canada. As is the case for millennials around the world, securing your first great job experience can be difficult, yet it is crucial to opening the doors to a great career. Throughout the history of the CRMBA program, Dalhousie and Management Career Services have helped to secure excellent residencies for international students who seek to work in Canada or abroad.

My residency gave me a new perspective on what I wanted to do in the long term, career-wise. It gave me the opportunity to not only work in the industry, but to actually feel like a valued staff member and not just an intern.  – Thomas Sykes, UK & Bahamas; Residency at Department of Natural Resources of Nova Scotia

Given that Canada is a multi-cultural nation, the input of non-Canadian citizens in the work environment is often valued, as Thomas can attest to.  But corporate residencies – because of their eight-month duration – also offer the opportunity to settle in and make a bigger difference than can be made during a traditional four-month internship. This is especially true for international students who might find themselves adjusting to both a new culture and a new job.

My residency gave me the opportunity to work with professionals in the finance industry and to gain hands-on experience in credit analysis. It was a supportive environment to learn how to apply what I was taught in the classrooms. Ultimately, the corporate residency prepared me greatly for my subsequent job search and for the next steps of my career. – Matthew Cheung, China (Hong Kong); Residency at The Bank of Nova Scotia

As Matthew identified, the corporate residency is a time to apply course learning to the real world, make a difference, and gain valuable experience. It also helps shape and deepen the course experience in the second year, which is designed to prepare students for a successful career.

If you are an international student who is interested in the Dalhousie CRMBA, please feel free to reach out!

Thomas Sykes

Thomas Sykes

Matthew Cheung

Matthew Cheung

Winter Wonderland – Surviving Winter At Dalhousie

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Written by Matthew Cheung

You wake up and it’s cold, your alarm clock blares like a siren, cheerfully letting you know that class begins in 15 minutes. With a groan you halfheartedly pull the blanket off your frigid body and stumble your way to the bathroom. On the way, you happen to shamble past a window and casually, you take a look outside.

Strange…. to your poor, confused, sleep addled brain, it looks as though someone had left a white Instagram filter over your window. It takes a moment before you realize that what you’re seeing is snow, snow covering the ground, the trees and the people outside. As you stare outside, a pile of snow slides off the roof of a nearby house, straight on top of an unlucky passerby.

You walk back to your room and crawl back into bed. You’ll need 5 more minutes.

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Welcome to your first Canadian winter.

To those of you (like me) who are new to Canada, your first Canadian winter can be a bit of a struggle. Especially if you (again like me) come from a place which is sunny and warm every day of the year.

So, to help us along, I asked around and prepared 5 key Canadian tips on lasting through the winter.

Tip #1: Gloves are key.

My first winter left my hands in terrible shape, the cold would often cut and crack skin around the knuckles. A nice, thick pair of gloves are essential, especially if you feel the urge to touch and play with snow!

Protip: If you text a lot, get a pair of gloves that are compatible with your smartphone screen.

Tip# 2: The Devil may wear Prada, but you wear Boots.

When stomping your way through the snowed out pavements, you need the right shoes to match the job. Boots not only help keep your feet dry, but they have good traction, stopping you from sliding and falling all over the place!

Protip: For those of you doing a Co-op, leave your dress shoes/heels at your office and simply change into them each morning.

Tip# 3: Schools out! Check online.

Occasionally the snow gets so bad that Dalhousie would declare a snow day, letting everyone crawl back into bed to catch up on Netflix. Don’t be one of those people who turn up to a cancelled class! Before you leave the house, check mydal to make sure that it’s not a snow day.

Tip #4: A chocolate a day keeps the frostbite away.

This one is simple. If you’re feeling cold, drink something hot!

Protip: Ask for whipped cream.

Tip #5: Turn down the heat

For those not living in residence, winter can be an expensive time where utilities are concerned. Where possible, turn down the heating and bundle up. Or at the very least, make sure you turn off the heat whenever you leave the house/apartment.

Protip: If you live with roommates, it’s not a bad idea to set some house rules for when the heat should be on. (Especially if you have that one roommate who insists on turning his/her room into a sauna)

Finally, while winter may have its challenges, it is also one of the most beautiful times of the year in Halifax. Don’t forget to have fun!

Class of 2016: Corporate Residency Update

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The Corporate Residency is a key part of our program because it gives students eight months of solid work experience where they are not treated as students so much as real employees. Students take positions across Canada (past CRMBA students have done international residencies, too!) to gain experience across different industries.

Returning in second year is exciting and enriching in part because the class is able to bring so much work experience from diverse sectors back into the classroom. The class of 2016 is a few months into their Corporate Residencies now, and we thought it was time to hear how they have been doing! Here are a few updates from the cohort:

Alison Conrad

Background: Environmental SciencesAlison Conrad CRMBA 2016
Employer: Scotiabank (Halifax)
CR Position: Commercial Banking Associate, Scotiabank

“When I entered the CRMBA program, I knew that I wanted a residency that would be completely different than anything I had ever done before. I wanted a challenge so that I could not only find what I was passionate about, but push the boundaries of my mind and grow as a businessperson. Working in commercial banking has brought me from analyzing metals in a lab to analyzing and understanding businesses, and it has been an amazing learning experience in so many ways. After just two months, not only do I feel more comfortable in the corporate world, but I also feel more confident and capable in my technical skills and my overall self. If I were to say one thing, it would be don’t be afraid to push beyond your limits – you never know, you may end up finding something you love doing.”

John Aitken

Background: Geography and Environmental StudiesJohn Aitken CRMBA 2016
Employer: Stantec (Toronto)
CR Position: Sustainability Analyst

“The Corporate Residency was one of the main reasons I chose Dalhousie for my MBA. Having ‘real-world’ experience simply cannot be replicated through lectures, projects, or cases. I knew before starting the CRMBA that consulting was a field that I wanted to get into. I felt that consulting would give me exposure to many different clients, and a variety of unique projects. My particular role is great because it integrates my environmental studies background into consulting.”

 

 

Sydni Kind (JD/MBA)

Background: Commerce, Marketing (Minor in Political Science)Sydni Kind JD/MBA 2016
Employer: Cushman & Wakefield (Calgary)
CR Position: Junior Consultant, Valuations & Advisory Department

“Working in a commission-based department, dependent on the current flow of clients requesting property valuations, can cause the workload to fluctuate significantly. I have had the opportunity to work with major commercial real estate clients, assisting in financial and operational decision-making. I have been able to learn from some of the best in the field of valuations, developing in a time-sensitive but learning-focused environment, where collaboration is highly encouraged. The confidence they have in the work I produce and the opportunities available to take initiative are some of the best parts of the job thus far, and I feel these can only improve going forward. I look forward to the rest of my residency experience.”

 

Patrick Tillman

Background: Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyPatrick Tillman CRMBA 2016
Employer: Medavie Blue Cross
CR Position: Customer Engagement Specialist

“My previous work experience took place in a research lab, so my Corporate Residency has been a refreshing change of scenery. Equipped with the tools obtained in a vigorous six months in the classroom, I was able to hit the ground running and contribute to the Marketing & Communications team at Medavie Blue Cross almost instantly. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my Corporate Residency up to this point, particularly the level of involvement I’ve had so far, and the number of responsibilities I’ve been given. If I had any words of advice for the incoming cohort, it would be to not shy away from stepping outside your comfort zone whenever you can, especially those coming into the program without any business experience like myself.”

Lauren Bosnjak

Background: NeuroscienceLauren CRMBA 2016
Employer: Bank of Montreal (Toronto)
Position: Brand Advertising Coordinator

 “Coming into the program I imagined myself doing something related back to my neuroscience undergrad, however the program has opened me up to opportunities I didn’t know existed. Brand advertising at BMO has taught me invaluable experience in project management. I am managing my own projects as well as learning as my team manages their own; I think this is the biggest thing I will carry with me no matter where I end up in my future. The advertising team at BMO is supportive of my learning and getting the most out of my experience; that is my favorite part about working with them.”

 

The Corporate Residency is one of the best parts of this program. It’s a great opportunity to work in an area of interest, build on existing experience, and prepare to launch your career!

For prospective and incoming students, spending a bit of time considering where you might be a good fit and what you are most interested in can help you target and obtain the position you want. When you join the CRMBA program, you become part of a much larger, stronger network of students and professionals. I would encourage the incoming class to connect with current students and alumni if they are interested in learning more about the program or a particular residency experience!

Ignite Your Inner Entrepreneur in the CRMBA Program

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The Corporate Residency MBA comes with built-in flexibility. Students can tailor their work experience and electives to their specific goals and interests, which is perfect for students with entrepreneurial spirit. If you have ever been interested in being your own boss, or working in an exciting startup environment, the Corporate Residency MBA has some great opportunities! This blog post explores some of the entrepreneurial opportunities students are exposed to in the program.

To start with, the program is ideally located: Halifax has a dynamic and tight-knit startup community. A few of my classmates are working for local startups for their corporate residencies, and I caught up with them to learn more about their experiences.

Laura Park, CRMBA Class of 2016

Laura Park, CRMBA Class of 2016

Laura Park is working as a Strategist with Affinio, a local tech company. Before coming to Dalhousie, Laura worked as Director of a Youth Entrepreneurship Camp. In this role she was immediately drawn to the passion and drive of the local entrepreneurs she met. This sparked her curiousity to learn more about startups. In her new role at Affinio, she loves the fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment. Everyone is ready to get their hands dirty and take on a new task or idea with very little direction.

In Laura’s own words, she says: “The exciting thing about Affinio is that it was founded in late 2013, and here we are in early 2015 and we’re doing business with clients all over the world. It’s really inspiring to see how an idea supported by passion and drive can come a long way in a short period of time. They really weren’t kidding when they said it was fast-paced! “

Beyond the location, the CRMBA program also offers courses designed with entrepreneurship in mind. The Starting Lean Class is a truly unique academic experience. This course is a second-year elective and is open to students across all faculties at the graduate and undergraduate level. In addition, recent graduates are also able to take Starting Lean. The result is a pool of diverse people that form teams around a business idea and work on developing a startup over the term.

Staring Lean Course

Staring Lean Course

The course follows the lean Launchpad methods to build a business using the business model canvas. Students are taught how to create a sustainable business model at a low cost. Each team of students is paired with an experienced entrepreneur from the broader community to act as a mentor.

 

Dr. Mary Kilfoil, the Academic Lead for the Starting Lean Initiative in Dalhousie University’s Norman Newman Centre for Entrepreneurship, teaches the class. Her industry-leading course has received national recognition; last year she received Canada’s Entrepreneurial Educator of the Year Award from Start Up Canada.

Chris Gallant (left) Chris MacRae (right) CRMBA Class 2016

Chris Gallant (left) Chris MacRae (right) CRMBA Class 2016

Two more students in the class of 2016 are working for a local startup: Chris Gallant and Chris MacRae are currently employed at Air Institutes. Air Institutes’ founder, Dr. Jackie Kinley, took the Starting Lean class, and when Chris Gallant started his residency at Air Institutes he also attended the class. Here’s a bit about his experience with the class:

“I initially audited the Starting Lean course to gain a deeper understanding of how my boss, Dr. Jackie Kinley, developed a business model and a business plan for Air Institutes. I met with Dr. Ed Leach and Dr. Mary Kilfoil, who gave me the resources to understand exactly how to develop an effective value proposition. Overall, the Starting Lean class has given me substantial information to perform in my corporate residency.”

For my own corporate residency, I am working as the Project and Communications Coordinator at Dalhousie University’s Norman Newman Centre for Entrepreneurship.

Dr. Kilfoil and the Director, Dr. Ed Leach, have built something truly extraordinary and very important to the student entrepreneurs at Dalhousie University and the broader community. I would encourage students from the incoming class to reach out to myself or my other classmates if they have any questions about entrepreneurial opportunities in our program!