The Part-Timer
After talking to part-time students for the past year in hopes of improving their MBA experience, I learned a few things along the way.
First, the obvious: Part-time students are incredibly busy. They work full-time jobs, have unforgiving obligations at school, have busy personal/family/social obligations, and at the end of the day, have no time for attending workshops, reading e-mails, or participate in any form of networking unless it truly adds value to their busy lives.
Second, part-time students have different career needs from full-time MBA students. They already have careers and are having a good enough time keeping their current jobs - and thus, do not have as great of a need for job-hunting-related workshops.
And lastly, part-time students love socializing and networking - they just need the right opportunity, environment, and venue.
And thus, with the help of many friends in (or graduated from) the part-time MBA program, we came up with the idea of The Part-Timer. Which aims to be the single source of relevant and concise information for part-time MBA students.
The goals:
- To focus on events that cater to our jam-packed schedules.
- To provide career-building events, workshops, and opportunities that part-time students want to attend.
- To provide a means for part-time students to get to know their peers.
- To ultimately add value to our part-time MBA experience.
Events planned specifically with part-time students in mind.
Negotiation: Improving Your Skills
When: Wednesday, December 2, from 5:45pm-8:00pm
Where: The Miles S. Nadal Centre, Downtown Campus
Why: In today’s business environment, the ability to negotiate is not just a basic survival skill. It’s also a key to inter-organizational relationships. Are you wondering if you have the skills to survive – and excel?
Who: Professor Weiss has taught negotiation skills for over 25 years to students and managers in 15 countries. A recipient of both Schulich and York University teaching awards, he teaches International Business Negotiation (IBUS 6490) in the winter term at Schulich.
To RSVP: Contact Polina Kukar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Limited seating: 30 spots - almost full.
MBA Profiles
Every issue of The Part-Timer, we will profile a current part-time student and an alumnus of the program.
John Wilms, MBA Candidate, year 2, part-time
Career: Client Executive, IBM Healthcare (15 years). As a Client Executive, John manages relationships with C-suite officers from various pharma, bio-tech, and healthcare companies.
Experience: John joined IBM 15 years ago in the Global Air Freight program. He’s been a manager at the software lab and has spent the last 8 years in sales.
Education: Honors Bachelors of Science (Biology and Geology). John has taught classes in the healthcare program both at the University of Toronto and at Schulich.
Author’s note: John and I have had a few classes together over the past year, and it has been a pleasure to learn with and from him. John always has a welcoming smile and handshake. His knowledge and experience is evident when he speaks, but it is his sincerity that is most outstanding when you get to know him.
Background: John has been happily married for 23 years. His wife is a professor of pharmacy at the University of Toronto. He has 2 daughters, one is an English Literature student at the University of Toronto, and the other is a Social Science major at McMaster University.
Why is John doing his MBA? The MBA would build a foundation for entrepreneurship and foster a deeper understanding of business dashboards – understanding the accounting process, financials, etc. It is also a great means to meet new people and to get re-energized.
Why Schulich? John was attracted to Schulich’s focus on sustainable business and its healthcare concentration. The school also accommodates a diverse student background with a very cosmopolitan student body. Of the 8 professors he’s learned from, 7 of them were the best that he’s ever had. Their enthusiasm, knowledge, experience, and focus on practicality is unrivalled.
Extra-curricular: He enjoys marathons, cycling events, hockey, yoga, and other physical activities. He enjoys being out with Schulich students: from going to Ten Ren for bubble tea to joining the GBC at a pub night.
Something unexpected: Schulich has helped him as a dad to see what it’s like to go back to school in 2009. He can appreciate what his daughters go through, and what the professors have to deal with. Both he and his daughters have learned to use turnitin together.
How John will use his MBA: This is an opportunity to build relationships – on a personal and professional level – to meet and work with different people. As John is interested in teaching, this is also another step towards doing his doctorate.
A message from John: An MBA is not just about paying your money and taking a few classes and moving on; it’s more about connecting with a lot of like-minded individuals, pushing yourself, and working with diverse groups. Everyone can get so much more out of our experience at Schulich – the more you invest, the more you get back. Do as many social events as you can manage. Let your hair down once in a while and you will have more fun and will do a lot better.
Roshni Wijayasinha, MBA, Marketing concentration
Career: Marketing Specialist – Canada, Sony Ericsson.
Experience: Roshni has previously worked as a Marketing and Account Manager at Pollstream Inc., Interactive Project Manager at Trapeze Media, Product Manager at Microsoft Canada, Interactive Media Sales at CanWest MediaWorks, and in Interactive Marketing at Cossette Communications Group.
Education: Roshni has a BBA from Wilfrid Laurier, with a Marketing Major and Brand Communication concentration. She graduated from Schulich’s Accelerated MBA program in 2009 and did a Marketing concentration.
Author’s Note: I met Roshni at Olympia 2008 and was instantly drawn to her friendliness and warm personality. She is incredibly fun and possesses a zest for life. Roshni is a marketing superstar, and I am fortunate to be able to discuss anything and everything marketing with her.
What did Roshni gain out of the MBA experience? She has developed a network of close friends and strong career contacts. She has further enhanced her multi-tasking capabilities, and has learned how to prioritize like a champ.
What did Roshni gain that she did not expect: The skills for work-life balance.
Tips for success at work and at school: Be perseverant. Be up front but tactical. Stand up for yourself, your opinion, and what you believe in. Listen to your gut instincts. Understand where incremental work yields diminishing returns. Network and keep in touch with all your contacts.
How was the graduation and job searching process like? Roshni applied to jobs in mass quantities and was fortunate to find a great job despite the difficult economy; however, the economic conditions did not allow for her to be too picky. People expect an MBA to produce superior results, do things better, and know everything.
Extra-curricular: While at Schulich, Roshni was the Marketing Chair, Women in Leadership. She was also very active in the volleyball and soccer leagues, and was a regular at most GBC activities. She still tries to participate in many GBC events. She also paints and plays piano in her free time. She believes the importance of hobbies to keep herself sane, and to always do things for herself.
A message from Roshni: While at Schulich, you should take advantage of excursions such as Olympia and Deerhurst, as well as the other social events, and always take the time to meet people.
Editor's Note
It was a pleasure seeing our friends, new and old, at the Dean's Reception at Nadal this past Tuesday. Mark Rittinger, Executive Director of Alumni Relations, informed us about the importance and opportunities in the interaction between part-time students and alumni. Cameron Graham, Program Director, let us know that he and the rest of the Schulich staff are listening to (and taking to heart) what part-timers want from their MBA experience. Dean Dezsö J. Horváth excited and inspired us when he reflected about Schulich's future, and by extension our future. It was a pleasure to meet our peers outside of a classroom setting, and share a laugh (or business card) over a glass of wine. We look forward to having more social and networking opportunities in the near future.
Did you know?
The GBC has set up weekly social and networking events every week for the past 16 weeks? Groups from 20 to 150 (average of 60) part-time and full-time students have participated. Restaurants, bars, salsa dancing, lounges, billiards - uptown, downtown, midtown - there is something for everyone, everywhere. Stay tuned for more great events catered to part-time students.
Questions? Comments!
The Part-Timer is a bi-weekly newsletter delivered to all students registered in a part-time class. Contact GBC Director of Part-time Studies, Keith Loo, if you have any questions, suggestions, or to recommend someone to be profiled in the Part-Timer.
The GBC is dedicated to improving the experience of all part-time students. Do let us know how we can better serve you.
Best regards,
Keith Loo
Director, Part-Time Student Affairs
Graduate Business Council
Schulich School of Business
www.KeithLoo.com / www.gbc.schulich.yorku.ca
