Extensive Network Opportunities
One of the first steps in the program will be to start building and then leveraging your network. We recognize that a portion of your net worth is equal to your network. Alberta provides the most vibrant economy in Canada and the highest potential for growth. While we place people across the globe, there are few places that can rival the growth and economic drive taking place in Alberta today, and we provide ample opportunities to tap into the business community.
MBA Forums - MBA Forums are a key way that we link our graduate students to business leaders. Throughout the year, these closed forums put our MBA students front and centre with influential members of the local and national business community. These candid and lively sessions give realistic insight into the business world, and also provide strong connections for our students as they start their careers. MBA Forums are catered and are typically held over the lunch hour or later in the afternoon to accommodate for the schedules of full-time and part-time students. Past speakers have included:
- Paul Martin, former Prime Minister
- Tony Franceschini, Canadian Business Leader Award recipient
- Mark Albion, Professor, author, and co-founder of Net Impact
- Derek Oland, Chairman and CEO of Moosehead breweries
- Michelle Perrett, Manager of Community Relations at Enbridge Energy
- Chip Wilson, Founder, Lululemon Athletica
- Mary Phillips-Rickey, Chair, Edmonton Opera Association
- Don Newman, host of CBC Newsworld’s Politics
Mentorship Program - Alumni and other members of the business community from Alberta and across North America seek to provide mentorship to students in the program. The MBA Mentorship Program matches mentors from private industry or the public sector with the students based on mutual interests. These new connections can yield insights on future courses that may be valuable, or career options worth considering.
Canadian Business Leadership Award Dinner - The CBLA is presented in the spring of each year at the Canadian Business Leadership Dinner. Held at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, the dinner attracts approximately 800 Canadian business leaders and members of the academic community.
Case Competitions - Students are encouraged to sharpen their critical thinking skills through casework in courses. Beyond this, students also have the opportunity to compete in a number of case competitions (travel costs are subsidized by the program). In recent years, these have included:
Students are encouraged to sharpen their critical thinking skills through casework in courses. Beyond this, students also have the opportunity to compete in a number of (travel costs are subsidized by the program). In recent years, these have included:
Students are encouraged to sharpen their critical thinking skills through casework in courses. Beyond this, students also have the opportunity to compete in a number of (travel costs are subsidized by the program). In recent years, these have included:
- Financial Executives International "Best in Class" Case Competition (Toronto, ON)
- George Washington Case Competition (Washington, DC)
- TATA Cup (Ottawa, ON)
- Net Impact Case Competition (Boulder, CO)
- Concordia Case Competition (Montreal, PQ)
- MBA Games Case Competition (held throughout Canada)
- University of Alberta MBA Case Competition - Supported by Gay & Ralph Young (Internal)
Events Sponsored by Specializations - Each of the specializations will make efforts to draw individuals from the business community into the Alberta School of Business for plenary sessions, which are often followed by a reception. Regardless of your specialization, all students are welcome to attend these events.
Project-Based Courses - Throughout the program and across functional areas, students frequently work on projects involving "real world" issues and applications. In many cases, these projects facilitate interaction with the business community and provide points of entry into areas that would otherwise have been difficult to get into.
Conferences, Site Visits, & International Travel - We recognize that learning can occur beyond the confines of the classroom. Site visits, usually part of a course, have included trips throughout Alberta. International travel has included trips to the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, and Austria.
Recent conferences attended by our students include:
- Net Impact Conference (Cornell University)
- Sports Management Conference (Toronto, ON)
- BioPartnering North America Conference (Vancouver, BC)
- BioDiesel Conference (San Diego, CA)
MBA Alumni Events - Well before you graduate, you're part of the family. You're welcome, indeed encouraged, to take part in the alumni events. From wine and cheese receptions to shooting pool or playing golf, there are plenty of Alumni events throughout the year. Additional information is available from the Business Alumni Association.
Events Sponsored by Centres on Campus - The school is home to a host of centres and institutes. Events include: