The Best MBA Clubs in Toronto

While getting your MBA at a top program is a great goal, if that’s all you do, you’re missing out on a myriad of opportunities to expand your skills and your network. Course work is important, but there’s so much more you need to do to get the most out of your MBA experience. The first place to start: MBA clubs.

Clubs provide you with the unique ability to meet and interact with other students, professors, and business professionals within the industries that matter most to you. Every school offers a variety of clubs and student organizations; it all depends on what you want and need.

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite MBA clubs from each of our business schools in Toronto. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it should help give you an idea of what you can expect.

Degroote School of Business

At the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, you can find twelve different clubs as an MBA student. The School offers everything from the MBA Association to the DeGroote Human Resources Association. However, we have a few favorites:

• MAC Investment Club: The McMaster Investment Council connects passionate students, alumni, and employers with valuable networking opportunities. It’s also focused on enabling learning through applied investing and education. Prospective members can apply for the council each year by following the instructions on the website.
• Entrepreneurs @ DeGroote: The DSB Entrepreneurship Club promotes the entrepreneurial spirit of the School by inspiring and enabling the DeGroote community to develop as future business owners. The club regularly hosts discussion panels, guest speakers, career events, and more.

Ivey Business School

If you’re attending the Ivey Business School at Western University Canada, you have myriad opportunities to get involved with the school and your fellow MBAs. The School offers clubs in everything from Golf to Women in Management and the Health Sector. There are a few clubs that stand out:

• MBA Energy and Resources Club: The MBA Energy & Resources Club provides opportunities for students to actively engage with energy sector companies and leaders. Students in the club can attend a variety of research presentations, guest speaker series, and other events throughout the year.
• Ivey Consulting Club: If you’re looking for a career in consulting after your MBA, then the Ivey Consulting Club is perfect for you. The club focuses on four key areas: events, resources, mentorship, and corporate partners. As a student-run organization, the club is all about what students want and need including extensive workshops and recruiting opportunities.

The Rotman School of Management

The Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto is known for its exceptional professors, top-notch schooling, and the variety of unique opportunities they offer their students. Their MBA clubs are no exception. They offer everything from an Executive Dinner Club to the South Asian Business Association. Here are a few key clubs to keep your eye on:

• Business Design Club: One of the most popular student clubs at Rotman, the Business Design Club helps students design their business through skill-building workshops that help students master user-centered problem solving.
• Net Impact: If you want to be part of a group of more than 60,000 students and professional leaders across six continents, Net Impact is for you. The club is all about social entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and sustainability.

Schulich School of Business

For MBA students at the Schulich School of Business at York University, it’s all about the experience. Schulich is one of the premier business schools in Canada, and that’s evident even when it comes to student life. Though you have to be a student to see their full list of clubs, of those we could uncover, the following are our favorites:

• Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club: The EVCC provides an environment where Schulich graduate students and alumni can foster and grow their entrepreneurial passions. The goal of the club is to inspire and connect students with the resources and network they need to make their entrepreneurial dream a reality.
• Arts and Media Management Club: A networking gateway and social platform for Schulich MBA students, the AMMC provides opportunities for students to meet and hear from professionals in arts, media, and related technology industries.

Ted Rogers School of Management

At the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University, MBA students can expect an excellent education combined with practical experience and application. If you want to get involved in clubs at the Ted Rogers School, you have plenty of options.

• Women in Leadership Association: The Ryerson Women in Leadership Association (WiLA) facilitates collaborative and supportive relationships among Ryerson MBA females.
• Ryerson Investment Group: The Ryerson Investment Group is a new organization coming to Ryerson that seeks to resemble a full-fledged investment company. The goal of the group is to educate and engage students interested in investment and finance.

Lazaridis School of Business and Economics

The Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University offers Part-Time and Full-Time MBA programs for business professionals. MBA students looking to get involved beyond their classes can join more than 175 different clubs. A few of the best clubs for MBAs include:

• E-Business Laurier: The E-Business Laurier club is all about bringing the Internet, hardware, and software industries to students at Wilfrid Laurier. The club strives to add value to the student experience by helping students network with tech industry professionals.
• Startup Laurier: If you’re a budding entrepreneur or innovator, then Startup Laurier is the club for you. Each year the club hosts unique events catered to students within the entrepreneurial community.