Ryerson MBA

Making Connections

Faraz says he first started considering Ryerson MBA because of the International Management specialization option. Once he learned more about the industry backgrounds of the faculty members who had worked overseas, his decision was made. Upon entering the program, he enjoyed its innovative approach to business education.

While academically rigorous, Faraz says "the Ryerson MBA has the feel of a startup organization… and there is a lot of interaction amongst diverse peer groups - both formal and informal.”

Getting the job

The Ted Rogers School of Management Careers and Employer Partnerships Centre provides extensive assistance for those seeking an internship, and they helped Faraz secure a position with Invest Toronto, the City of Toronto’s international business development department. The Careers and Employer Partnerships Manager, a dedicated resource for the MBA students, informed him of the criteria for the position, and they also connected him with a Ryerson MBA alumnus who completed the same internship, and was subsequently hired full-time, a couple of years previously. This provided Faraz with the insight he needed to improve his chances of being hired and to make the most of the position.

After he completed his internship, he was offered a full-time position with Invest Toronto, which further prepared him for establishing his business in Oman.

The Ryerson MBA Difference

"As the business world is reshaped by the mega-trends of our times, the old way of doing things - including getting a business education - is becoming less relevant. The Ryerson MBA is the more innovative way [of attaining an MBA.]"

Getting MBA Ready

For her undergraduate education, Stephanie attained a Bachelor of Science degree prior to entering the healthcare industry as a research and clinical trial coordinator. She started taking the Foundations of Management program offered at the Ted Rogers School of Management to prospective students without a BBA or BComm degree. Having already been exposed to the Ryerson faculty and student life, she melded with the culture easily.

"The alumni and current students are very relatable. I learned how they were able to succeed in the program while working or participating in extracurricular activities outside of classes," she says. "The info sessions and the foundational programming helped me visualize my future with Ryerson and beyond."

Making Connections

"I knew I wanted to get involved in school, because I wanted to take full advantage of the networking opportunities that Ryerson provides," Stephanie says. Stephanie joined the Ryerson team at the 2013 MBA Games, where they placed second overall. She considered it a great introduction to the camaraderie among her classmates.

"The close-knit nature of the program allows students to form connections with everyone," she says. "Ryerson's culture is unique because students are encouraged to participate in community events, business case competitions, and other social events. This not only brings the students together, it builds team spirit."

The Ryerson MBA Difference

"Prior to the Ryerson MBA, I was uninformed about various career prospects. When I started the MBA program, I learned that there are limitless opportunities and industries for me to pursue," she says. "[This first year in the Ryerson MBA program] has made me want to learn more, try new things, and meet new people.

“By learning from such a diverse group of people, I have learned so much more about myself."

Getting his ROI

"Part of my decision [when I was deciding where to get my MBA] was job availability in the city and how many students get jobs," Adedoyin says. "When I read the profile of Ryerson, I saw lots of employment, and Ryerson is near Bay Street, which is like the Wall Street of Canada."

Adedoyin was offered scholarships to many of the other MBA schools he was considering; his GMAT score was 770, the highest of any Ryerson MBA candidate at the time. The Ryerson MBA offered him an entrance scholarship, which is one of 18 scholarships issued each year thanks to a $15 million donation from Ted and Loretta Rogers.

Making Connections

As an international student, Adedoyin was unsure how he would integrate with his MBA cohorts. He quickly learned how diverse the Ryerson MBA community is, which helped him adjust to the new environment.

"The connections and relationships I made were integral to my growth as an MBA candidate because of the students with diverse backgrounds that I was exposed to," he says. "I never imagined all the places and industries that MBA candidates could come from."

The Ryerson MBA Difference

The faculty members who had worked in the technology sector, like Wendy Cukier, helped prepare Adedoyin for the working world in ways he didn't originally conceive of. His time spent at Ryerson endeared him to Canada, leading him to settle here with his wife and children upon graduation.

"I decided to stay in Canada because of the network I built and how Ryerson prepared me for the external world. A month after my MBA, I got a job," which he says was no small feat during a time of recession.

"Ryerson changed my life," he says.

Making Connections

Upon entering the program, Joshua relished the opportunity to learn from the stellar faculty members and the multiple guest speakers that the school hosted.

"Although I attended as a part-time student, there were still plenty of opportunities to be involved with student life, whether it was through the student association, group projects, integrative weeks, or social events,” he says. "The downtown Toronto location and the connections associated with that was a big thing... Ryerson's position in the community and reputation amongst major business schools enables it to offer great opportunities for all students and alumni."

Becoming an Industry Expert

Since Joshua already had an industry position secured, he opted to complete a Major Research Paper in lieu of an internship. The experience of collaborating with the research department is one that he considers a defining moment of his education.

“It gave me the opportunity to combine all the knowledge I had accumulated and express it through a topic of interest, which illustrated the growth of my abilities.

“Dale Carl was the primary reader for my MRP... [and was] my first professor in the program. His role was pivotal to my success,” he says.

The Ryerson MBA Difference

Upon entering the program, Joshua joined the MBA Student Association (MBASA), where he participated in competitions with other schools.

"When I was representing Ryerson on teams at various competitions, I noticed a difference in the style of their education," says Joshua. "The work background [of the Ryerson professors] was more practical than the background of professors at other schools, where they just talk theory. It definitely helped to be able to learn from the hands-on experience of our professors."

Joshua, who chose to specialize in real estate and commercial development, sees his specialization as a major boost to his professional profile.

"What I have learned from working in the business world is that specializations are very valuable these days for MBA programs, more so than a general MBA," he says.