A half century after the opening of the York University Faculty of Administrative Studies (FAS), the York Schulich School of Business in Toronto continues to shape the Canadian MBA landscape.
The business school, which was officially renamed in 1995 after a receiving sizable donation from esteemed Montreal philanthropist and entrepreneur Seymour Schulich, has earned a substantial track record of firsts in Canada, including: the country’s first MBA Arts & Media Administration specialization; MBA/LLB; Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program; International MBA; Financial Services Program; Financial Engineering specialization; and the first multi-national EMBA program with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.
Of course, the history of a school may paint an overall setting, but it hardly tells the story of a current, individual student in the program. York Schulich MBAs stand out among many of Toronto’s stellar business schools, typically enrolling with a GMAT score of 660 and five years of professional work experience. As well, the York Schulich international community is well-represented, at 32 percent of the overall MBA class.
According to recent employment statistics provided by the school, Schulich MBAs typically earn about $91,500 CAD per year after earning their degree. In addition, about 89 percent of graduates earn employment just three months after graduating. Most grads earn roles in finance (23 percent), with marketing/sales (20 percent) and operations (18 percent) following closely.
To get a better feel for what life is really like for current York Schulich MBAs, we talked to a handful of students, including the manager of a long-standing luxury jewelry store, a theater major and performer, and a commercial lawyer looking for a brand new career challenge. Read on to see their stories and what the future may hold for life after an MBA.
Laura Damiani, York Schulich MBA
Age: 25
Why business school? Why now? As a Schulich alumni who graduated from the BBA program in 2015, I understand the immense value of a great education, and I always had an interest in furthering my learning. Today, I have the flexibility to complete the MBA program. I currently manage a luxury retail jewelry store that has been operating for over 60 years. As a future entrepreneur, I have a corporate responsibility to learn, improve, and change what is necessary. Business school provides a platform to update your knowledge on current issues and learn different perspectives from people in the industry, applying it effectively to your business.
Why the York University Schulich School of Business MBA program? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? I wanted to continue my learning at one of the top business schools in the world. Schulich offers flexibility in completing the MBA program and students can study part-time or full-time and can switch accordingly. This option allowed me to continue working while becoming educated by some of the most successful people in their fields. Learning is case-based so it teaches you by application and real-life experiences. For instance, Schulich offers the 601 capstone course which allows students to do consulting work for a large corporation.
Laura Damiani, York Schulich MBA
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your MBA class? My work in jewelry and luxury retail is a differentiating factor and I apply this experience and perspective to case discussions in the classroom.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I love trying new things, whether its food, exploring new countries and cultures, or bungee jumping. Life should be lived to its fullest!
Post-MBA career interests: I believe that success comes from a strong education and the ability to apply what you have learned to your workplace. In the future, I am confident that a Schulich MBA will enable me to push boundaries, take risks, and expand my jewelry business to more locations.
Advice to Prospective MBA Applicants
One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? One thing I would do again would be to ask the Schulich admissions team questions regarding requirements and qualifications needed for admission, and all of the benefits of a Schulich MBA.
One thing you would change or do differently? I would have liked to speak with more MBA alumni about their experience in the program.
Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? The video interview during the application process can be stressful. Being recorded under a time constraint can add pressure, but I found it to be a very organic, natural process once I started. What helped me get through it was researching expectations and practicing, but mostly keeping a clear mind. My advice would be to always answer the question you are being asked.
Greatest highlight so far at Schulich/York? The greatest highlight would be the new friends I have made in my classes and at social and networking events. Schulich has a tight-knit, collaborative community of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
One thing about Schulich/York that you didn’t expect before arriving? One thing that surprised me was how invested the professors are in your education and success. They encourage your participation in class discussions as they believe that learning from each other and the various experience the class provides is invaluable to everyone’s learning.
Thing you were most anxious about in your first year? I was most anxious about adjusting to school and balancing a full-time career. However, the adjustment period was quick, and I was able to manage my time accordingly.
Thing you were most excited about in your first year? I was most excited about meeting and networking with new people from different businesses and learning from their experiences.
Kike Oyerinde, York Schulich MBA
Age: 30
Why business school? Why now? After an LLM in International Commercial Law, I moved back home to work in the energy sector. Three years after, I began to get restless and needed a challenge to propel my career on a trajectory that would allow me explore other sectors and interact in other cultures. I also craved a challenge that would force me out of my comfort zone and stimulate professional growth. The time is right because I had outgrown my previous role and was at point in my professional journey where the experience could be more easily conceptualized and appreciated.
Why the York University Schulich School of Business MBA program? When I made the decision to go to business school, I wanted something that would build on my training as an ‘international’ lawyer and my goal of being a global professional. I wanted a program that would not be so narrow that it explored business practices within a singular market or continent but one that was exploratory across the globe. So my first search was for a program that had a wider curriculum and focused on training business professionals who had the skills to better integrate across business cultures. I was searching for an International MBA (IMBA) experience and research turned out only two business schools, of which Schulich was a no-brainer. The IMBA program required multilingualism; a mandatory International Work Term, allowing students to gain work experience in a country they most likely would never have worked; and its location in one of the most diverse countries/cities in the world was certainly an International professional’s dream.
Kike Oyerinde, York Schulich MBA
What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? The culture at the school and its position on sustainable business practices. Schulich fortifies my belief that the world is only better when we embrace and integrate diversity and understand that our core strength lies in our differences. Most importantly I wanted a school that was a family, that not only taught Sustainability but imbibed it in its very fibre. As a bonus, i was pleasantly surprised at how much the school continued to invest and support in its Students and Alumni network across the globe. Of course, its ranking as the Number 1 Business School in Canada was a ‘cherry on the cake.’
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your MBA class? I am the only lawyer in my class and as such I am able to bring to my class a critical and logical perspective to discussions. Also, being well traveled I am able to share insights on certain cultures that are not common knowledge within my cohort.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I went parasailing in Cancun and the next item on my bucket list is to conquer the great wall of China to celebrate my graduation.
Post-MBA career interests: My career interests after my IMBA revolve around an integration of my Legal background and Strategy Consulting. I seek a career that will allow me interact across business cultures and environments and gather experience across different sectors. My utopia would be a role within which I am allowed to bring about change and see the impact my work makes.
Advice to Prospective MBA Applicants
One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? I would certainly reach out again to the recruiting team and speak with as many of the staff as possible. This allowed me to get a glimpse into the culture at the institution as my expectations were adequately managed. This provided insight for me as an applicant in figuring out whether the school would be a good fit for me or not. This was one of the distinguishing factors with the process at Schulich. The team was very helpful and truly interested in applicants, both on an academic and social level. Proof of this is that even after recruitment, the team still remains involved in our progress and provides all sorts of support towards ensuring that we maximize our individual experiences here. My recruiter remains a dear friend, who in sharing his professional journey has helped me overcome hurdles in providing insight on crucial issues.
One thing you would change or do differently? If I had the chance to go through the process all over again I would make sure to attend a Schulich Open House, not minding that I was living in Nigeria at the time I decided to get an MBA. A few weeks ago I was privileged as a Schulich Graduate Ambassador to attend the Schulich Open House. Forty-eight hours after the event, I received two messages from individuals I had interacted with; both of whom had swiftly moved from being prospective students to applicants, and potential members of the Schulich class of 2021. It seemed to me that viewing Schulich through my eyes, was the deciding factor for these applicants and that in itself was humbling and a true reflection of the culture here: at Schulich everyone is collectively invested in your success. My colleague and fellow Ambassador on the IMBA had shared how attending Experience Schulich last year had inspired her decision to come to here. Being a part of the program put her comment into perspective and convinced me that I had missed out on the best part of the recruiting process at Schulich.
Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? If I could, I would have skipped the GMAT. Coming from a strictly Arts background I had never been comfortable with numbers and unsuccessfully looked for ways to avoid taking the test. However, what taking the test taught me is that with the right attitude, consistency and motivation, there is no mountain one cannot overcome. I am better off for it.
Greatest highlight so far at Schulich/York? My greatest highlight came when I successfully created a set of Accounting Books. When I saw the curriculum at the start of the term, I had a meltdown and in panic emailed the professor. She was most helpful and accomodating of the novice accountant in her class. A month later, including over 20 hours of work and a sleepless weekend spent looking for $9000, I not only created a set of Financial Statements but I actually balanced my every ledger/journal and produced a complete set of accounting books. At Schulich you can count on getting the support you require for growth.
One thing about Schulich/York that you didn’t expect before arriving? I am still overwhelmed at how invested and supportive the faculty here at Schulich are. They constantly go out of their way to mentor, guide, educate, support, motivate, and most of all communicate their confidence in our abilities. They are a significant part of our success both in and out of the classroom not to mention their world class credentials. Only at Schulich will professors make cold calls to anyone and everyone in propelling the attainment of a student’s dreams.
Thing you were most anxious about in your first year? I was most anxious about the quantitative aspect of the course which was also contradictorily the reason why I was convinced that Business School would be one of the greatest challenges of my professional career. However I realise now that my fear had been holding me back all these years as with the right mix of substantial hard work; dedication; and inspiring professors, Quants became quite intriguing.
Thing you were most excited about in your first year? I was most excited about the diversity of my class and all the amazing people and experiences I would be exposed to. Months into the program I am still surprised at the ‘AHA’ moments I get and how much I am learning from the Schulich Community. Just being here has been the best decision of my life and certainly an MBA will propel one’s career and stimulate growth, however a Schulich MBA will change your life in more ways than you could ever imagine, in the process.
Elizabeth Owens Skidmore, York Schulich MBA
Age: 27
Why business school? Why now? I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in theater and a minor in history, and was a performer for twenty years. Almost three years ago, I realized I wanted to stop performing and get into the business side of the entertainment industry, so I started considering grad school. After a considerable amount of research into different masters programs, I decided that business school would be the best way to learn what I wanted and needed to learn. It seemed to be the most versatile degree that could translate to any industry or profession I might want to pursue in the future.
Why the York University Schulich School of Business MBA program? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? Schulich was the only MBA program and the only grad school I applied to and it was because of the Arts, Media & Entertainment Management specialization. It is one of the only programs like it in Canada. In addition, I attended the MBA Tour and a Schulich information session, and I immediately felt a connection with the recruitment staff. I loved the spirit and camaraderie they displayed and their genuine enthusiasm for the program. I also really liked that Schulich’s MBA had flexibility built into it, from taking some classes at the downtown campus to the opportunity to do an international exchange semester.
Elizabeth Owens Skidmore, York Schulich MBA
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your MBA class? Because of my non-traditional business background, I was worried that I would be at a disadvantage. However, that point of differentiation has turned out to be my greatest asset. I have communication, presentation, and people skills from my time as a performer and administrator that have proved to be extremely valuable.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I am an Olympics junkie. Those few weeks every two years are so much fun and I hope to attend in person one day!
Post-MBA career interests: I plan to pursue a career in sports and entertainment business, specifically in corporate partnerships and events for major league sports teams.
Advice to Prospective MBA Applicants
One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? I approached the application as a learning process. I took it seriously, but I tried not to stress too much about the outcome. I also tried to bring my true self to the table and didn’t worry too much about trying to fit into a traditional business student mould. I was either going to be a good fit or not, and past working hard and submitting an application I was proud of, it was in Schulich’s hands.
One thing you would change or do differently? I would have attended a Schulich-specific recruitment event to try to meet more current students and alumni and see the campus. My first time seeing the school was on the first day of orientation in September!
Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? Preparing for and writing the GRE was a huge task, especially having been out of the school and studying routine for four years. What helped me get through it was a rigorous study schedule that I made myself stick to and endless encouragement from my friends and family.
Greatest highlight so far at Schulich/York? The highlight of my time at Schulich has been my experience being an executive on our Graduate Business Council. The incredible team of people I get to work with every single day on the GBC is what gets me out of bed each day! Spending my summer term on exchange in Copenhagen would be right up there as well.
One thing about Schulich/York that you didn’t expect before arriving? I did not expect the community of students to be so warm and welcoming. I had heard how great it was from my interviews and speaking with staff at the MBA Tour, but I did not know how incredible my classmates were going to be. To have found such an inspiring and supportive group of friends at school has been a huge gift.
Thing you were most anxious about in your first year? I was anxious about my core courses in the subjects I had never taken before, like finance and accounting. Thankfully, my professors were extremely supportive and took the time to track along with me.
Thing you were most excited about in your first year? I was most excited for the chance to learn again for two years. I wanted to see how far I could push myself and figure out what I was actually capable of. I found that every class pushed me past what I thought my limit was and I am in awe of how much personal and professional development happened in first year.