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| Jocelyn Ball is one of the students enrolled in Dal's new MBA Corporate Residency program. |
While students are settling into their first聽month of school, first-year MBA students are eagerly awaiting to hear back from job recruiters.
Last July, the H漫画 Faculty of Management brought in 41 students to the newly launched MBA Corporate Residency program, which replaces the traditional two-year program. Condensed classes were given through one-week intensive courses in the summer. Students take additional courses in the fall term before heading off to an eight-month paid internship. The final year is a full load of elective courses. Throughout the program, students will be working on extensive projects. Recently, students went through a week long project developing social entrepreneurship programs.
鈥淲e want students to learn and apply,鈥� says Peggy Cunningham, Director of the School of Business. 鈥淲e鈥檙e really excited how things are moving ahead.鈥�
The program was designed with collaboration from the business community. The faculty created a corporate advisory board to receive feedback about reshaping the MBA program. 鈥淏usinesses want employees who are creative and know how to find solutions,鈥� says Dr. Cunningham. 鈥淲e want to focus on interactive learning.鈥�
The biggest selling point of the program is the eight-month internship. Students met with potential employers in a one-day job fair held last week. The process is simple 鈥� employers choose a group of students to interview. On interview day, students have a final shot with employers with a one minute speech. Many of the 21 organizations came from various sectors. Companies hiring Dal interns include IBM, Deloitte, Proctor and Gamble, Shell, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Privy Council of Canada, Health Canada and Halifax Regional Municipality.
鈥淓mployers were more than impressed,鈥� says Dr. Cunningham. 鈥淚 feel like a proud mother. The students did a marvellous job.鈥澛�
Professional development is another major component of the program. Students go through personal development classes to gain practical skills for future careers. 鈥淲e have a partnership with employers to train students for the business environment,鈥� says JoAnne Akerboom, the director of external affairs. 鈥淲e want students to meet the demands of the workplace.鈥�
The new MBA is a culmination of nearly three聽years of research and planning. With the positive start, the faculty hopes to admit聽80 to 100聽students for next year.
鈥淭o see the program actually happening is incredible,鈥� says Ms. Akerboom. 鈥淭he employers were blown away and want to hire more students.鈥�
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