DeGroote School of Business Dean Leonard Waverman Re-Appointed
Since January 2013, Leonard Waverman has been the Dean of the McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business. Due to his accomplished service, the Board of Governors re-appointed Waverman as Dean starting July 1. Continue reading…
Finding the Best Toronto Executive MBA Programs
An MBA offers immeasurable help if you’re trying to climb the oft-mentioned corporate ladder. But what about getting right to the top? Executive MBA programs are tailor-made for reaching that higher-than-high career point, but how do you know which one may be right for you? We’ve outlined some of the best Toronto Executive MBA programs to help.
DeGroote MBA Alum Encourages Digital Transformation, Warns Of Automation
Almost every industry is affected by digital transformation to some degree or another, which is why it’s so important for the next generation of business professionals to embrace this technology revolution. At the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, business students are trained to excel in this area, and that’s exactly what Anne Connelly, an MBA ’10, did.
Hot MBA Jobs: Program Analyst
If you are passionate about a range of topics, narrowing down a single career path can challenging. This is especially understandable given that the MBA education typically provides a strong and broad base of business knowledge. How can you help focus such a broad education into one career? If you have a strong business background as well as technological skill, you might want to consider a role as a Program Analyst.
With a job outlook that projects 21 percent growth to 2024 (a rate much faster than other industries), a position like Program or Computer Systems analyst could be perfect for someone with strong management skills and experience with technology.
What does a Program Analyst Do?
A program analyst is responsible for the design, development and implementation of an organization’s computer programming. Job responsibilities of a Program Analyst typically overlap with the jobs of a systems analyst and computer programmer. On the systems analyst side of the job, Program Analysts design and create software and computer systems, whereas Computer Programmer skills are used to implement the designs through the actual writing, updating and maintenance of existing programs. Program analysts should be able to stay on top of trends in technology so that an organization’s systems can be kept appropriately up-to-date.
The exact role of a program analyst will vary depending on the organization. Analysts may work with a particular computer system, whether financial, scientific or engineering, and find ways to customize the program for client. Analysts will also typically prepare cost analysis and help management determine how to create a system that is financially possible.
Top Skills for a Program Analyst
Problem Solving: Program Analysts will be required to work alongside clients to understand the need of each organization, and tailor the software to meet these needs. They must then develop software appropriate for each individual client, while also working within financial constraints.
Software Design and Fundamentals: A program analyst must have a strong foundation in software development, as they will be writing new programs, maintaining computer systems and perform repairs when necessary. Analysts must also stay up to date with professional and technical knowledge, often through attendance at educational workshops or participation in professional societies.
Analyzing Information: Program Analysts must be able to analyze many different sets of information, from the needs and constraints of a specific organization to the financial feasibility of the software they create.
Program Analyst and the MBA
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum education required for a role in program analysis, especially in a computer-related discipline such as engineering or mathematics. Mostly, a candidate must prove that they have the technical experience and skills required for the position.
Earning an MBA can be a great way to demonstrate technological aptitude while still revealing a strong base of business knowledge. Entering the field with an MBA can give applicants a competitive edge in the job market, while also proving management skills that may lead to long-term job growth. The average pay for the position in 2015 was $85,800 per year.
Best MBA Programs for a Career as a Program Analyst
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Kellogg School of Management – Northwestern University: At the Kellogg School of Management, data analytics is offered a part of the MBA program. In addition, a number of executive programs are offered with a broad range of analytics-related focuses.
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DeGroote School of Business – McMaster University: The DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University offers a number of classes tailored to students interested in the business analytics field. Last year, the school launched a new Executive MBA in Digital Transformation, which will serve as another option for students looking to focus their education on big data and strategic decision making.
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Fox School of Business – Temple University: The MBA program at Temple’s Fox School of Business offers many facets which focus on business analytics and data interpretation. Each year, the school’s Global Center for Big Data in Mobile Analytics hosts a “Big Data Conference”, along with regular publication of business research.
DeGroote MBA Helps Syrian Refugees Through Newcomer Kitchen
More than 35,700 Syrian refugees have arrived in Canada, according to PRI.org. And while the country is doing everything it can to help the refugees, it’s a difficult situation for all those involved. That’s why Faizan Ashraf, an MBA candidate at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business decided to take a job where he could make a difference. He’s the treasurer of Newcomer Kitchen. Continue reading…
Looking For Toronto Consulting And Strategic Management MBAs
Whether you have already chosen your future career path or are still making up your mind, a career in consulting and strategic management is an excellent choice for someone earning their MBA. With roles available at a variety of organizations, strategic managers or management consultants have a number of opportunities, and an advanced degree can make MBA holders extremely competitive candidates for these jobs. Moreover, employment for strategic management positions is projected to grow 14 percent by 2024—a rate much faster than average—and proof that this field isn’t going anywhere soon.
If you are considering a future career in consulting and/or strategic management, many MBA programs are available with specializations that allow you to focus your business education in a particular sphere. In the Toronto metro area, there are a number of schools which provide the opportunity for special electives or MBA majors that focus on a strategic management and consulting education.
The Top Toronto Consulting and Strategic Management MBAs:
DeGroote School of Business – McMaster University
One of the most celebrated Toronto Consulting and Strategic Management MBAs in Canada, the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University offers a Strategic Business Valuation specialization as part of its program. While the first year of a DeGroote MBA provides a broad range of business topics, the second year gives students the opportunity to choose electives which concentrate in a specific area. Strategic Business Valuation is one such elective, among others like Strategic Marketing.
A specialization in Strategic Business Valuation at DeGroote helps students learn how to make an impact on the market through the calculation of an organization’s worth- all while keeping corporate strategy in mind. Possible roles for students with a specialization in Strategic Business Valuation include Consultant/Senior Consultant, Business Valuation Analyst and Mergers and Acquisitions Analyst.
Ivey Business School – Western University Canada
When a student earns their MBA at Western University Canada’s Ivey Business School, they have the opportunity to add to the business fundamentals of the core curriculum through career focused electives. The school offers six main areas of focus, which include finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, corporate strategy & leadership and international management. However, students may also select from a number of elective courses and create a personalized approach to their business education.
While elements of the Corporate Strategy & Leadership focus would be appropriate for a student pursuing a strategic management career, there are also a number of individual electives which students could take to design their own specialization in consulting. Among these electives are courses such as:
- Management Consulting
- Strategy Implementation
- Financial Strategies for Global Success
- Managing High-Growth Companies
- Competition and Competitive Analysis
Rotman School of Management – University of Toronto
Students the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management may choose a major for their MBA to enhance the foundational business knowledge of their degree. A major in consulting is among the options available to students, helping students to “analyze cross-functional business problems and … justify your recommendations, using a diverse set of quantitative and qualitative tools.”
The consulting major at Rotman prepares students for careers in consulting regardless of the setting, from small to large consulting firms and whether in the for-profit or non-profit sector. To complete the major, students must take at least one course from the core category, which includes the options of Management Consulting, Healthcare Consulting, Management Consulting Practicum or Strategic Change and Implementation. They must also select at least one elective course, which includes options such as:
- Catastrophic Failure in Organizations
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Operations Management Strategy
- Business Analysis and Valuation
- Aligning People and Strategy
Schulich School of Business – York University
York University’s Schulich School of Business offers students a specialization in Strategic Management. The course emphasizes the synthesis of techniques from several other areas of business, including accounting, managerial economics, marketing, operations management and organization behavior to better understanding strategy making.
Students in the Strategic Management specialization at York must take six credits of recommended courses and six of recommended or additional courses. Such class options include:
- The Art of the Deal
- Managing Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures
- Strategy Execution
- Strategic Thinking and Action in Turbulent Environments
- Economic Forecasting and Analysis
