MBA-Lite

Taking an MBA can mean a quick corporate ascension and a surge in salary, but, for those ambitious types short on time and tuition, there are other ways to get ahead

Feb 1, 2009  

by Phoebe Dey

Instead, she participated in the Technology Commercialization Internship Program offered by the WestLink Innovation Network, an organization dedicated to linking researchers with industry to bring Canadian ideas to market. The two-year mentored program offers hands-on training in technology commercialization. Because of support from government agencies, academic institutions and industry, interns are paid during three eight-month placements at a technology development institution, a tech commercialization company and a venture capital firm.

“I thought it was a great way to get work experience while exploring what I was good at and what I wanted to do later in life,” says Montes, who now identifies and evaluates potential portfolio companies for iNovia Capital, the tech-focused venture capital firm she interned at during the program. “I’m still considering an MBA, perhaps with a focus in finance, but not right away. I want to get more experience first.”

That’s probably a good thing, says Heather Christensen, executive director of MBA programs at the University of Alberta’s School of Business. The program accepts 60 students a year, and only those with at least two years of career-related work experience. Christensen tends to see two types of students: those who want to change careers and those who want to climb higher.

But an MBA has to be right for both the school and the student, she says. If someone isn’t certain, Christensen might suggest a course through the School of Business’s Executive Education and Lifelong Learning. It offers programs, short-term courses and sessions on topics ranging from family business management to corporate governance and ethics. And even for those who do sign on for an MBA, the commitment requirement might surprise. Students who get the most out of the degree are the ones who become involved in extracurricular activities and clubs and take full advantage of speakers and seminars. “Employers tend to look at well-rounded people,” says Christensen, and focus less on GPAs.

The University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering operates on the same philosophy. Its Maier Student Leadership Program offers intensive coaching sessions, conferences and workshops to furnish engineering students with business and leadership skills to complement the technical side of an engineering degree.

“With the number of headquarters in Calgary, so many of our graduates go on to become leaders,” says Elizabeth Cannon, dean of the Schulich School. “We wanted to accelerate their path to leadership and to get them to think, while they are still in university, how they could contribute beyond their engineering skills.”

Ashley Sceviour, now a civil engineer with Calgary’s Clifton Associates Ltd., participated in the pilot program. “The students won’t realize how much it will benefit them until they leave,” she says. “You learn things like public speaking [and] the ability to converse with CEOs and VPs. The benefit is that, in the long run, it’s going to make you a better person and you’ll get ahead quicker.”

But, in the end, does the MBA still trump all?

It depends, says Lesko. Personal motivations are a strong factor in determining the value of the degree. If your career aspirations include climbing to the top of the corporate ladder sooner than later, he says, then an MBA will help.

Marc Leenders still thinks that’s possible without the MBA. Out of upper management at Parts Canada, no one has that level of education and it isn’t a prerequisite to move up the ranks. Merit is determined from experience and performance.

“Every industry has its own nuances, and in our company it’s really all about building relationships – on top of knowing how to talk the talk in the motorcycle business,” he says. “I would love to go back for my MBA because I believe challenging yourself is important. But it’s just not a good fit for me right now. Maybe someday.”

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