At Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business, we work in partnership with business, government and community organizations to cultivate talent and share knowledge that positively impacts the economic development of Ottawa and the National Capital Region. Learn more by visiting sprott.carleton.ca/partners-in-ottawas-prosperity.
Experiential learning benefits organizations and students
As organizations seek to find new ways to attract top talent in today’s competitive job market, experiential learning serves as a powerful talent development and recruitment tool.
Not only do students gain insights to career pathways, industries and organizations, but also employers are able to witness students’ leadership, teamwork and other skills in action
Business education today takes place in a variety of learning environments. Experiential learning provides post-secondary students with the opportunity to work collaboratively with business and community organizations on strategic projects and challenges. Students apply their knowledge and creativity to deliver innovative solutions that positively impact organizations and communities.
For example, the Sprott Student Consulting Group (SSCG) helps organizations address a wide array of challenges through no-cost consulting services provided by faculty-guided student teams. The composition of the student team is tailored to the organization’s specific needs.
Sprott student consultants have worked on a diverse range of projects, including business continuity and recovery planning, event management, strategies for growth, fund development strategy, market research, among others.
Andrew Webb, assistant professor of International Business and SSCG academic director at the Sprott School of Business, calls the model a “win-win-win” for the value it provides to students, organizations and the community.
The Sprott School of Business and EY Canada work in collaboration to foster talent and leadership development within the SSCG. EY professionals, in providing mentorship and coaching to Sprott student consultants, gain early access to their future workforce and valuable insights on their motivations and way of thinking to inform their practice
In addition, experiential learning provides opportunities to tap into the collective classroom knowledge to test thinking for your organization.
For example, the Sprott School of Business works with businesses and organizations to develop cases for use in courses and case competitions. Case-based learning trains students to find creative solutions that can spark innovation in the workplace.
Organizations can also benefit from new perspectives and fresh approaches to address current challenges and opportunities by working with Sprott faculty to develop project-based learning opportunities for their courses.
Work-integrated learning helps keep talent in the region
As more workplaces move to adopt virtual work as a permanent option for workers, job opportunities for students and graduates are no longer limited by distance.
“We are working to ensure that students know how to network as far and wide as possible, because their next opportunity can come from anywhere around the world,” said Lisa Lawrence, team lead of Sprott’s Business Career Management Centre.
This trend is increasing pressure on organizations’ recruitment strategies as workers are not bound by location. They can live near their families or opt to live in more affordable locations without sacrificing their careers.
Many students, including international students, wish to remain in Ottawa after they graduate. Work-integrated learning opportunities – such as co-operative education and internships – enable companies in the Ottawa region to introduce students to all they have to offer and to start building relationships with prospective talent early on, while they are living and studying in the region.
For instance, MBA students possess a variety of academic and technical backgrounds. This offers local companies access to a diverse pool of multidisciplinary and multilingual talent.
In addition to MBA internships, students in Sprott’s Master of Accounting, Master of Finance and Bachelor of International Business programs also complete internships as part of their programs, while Bachelor of Commerce students can participate in co-op.
Carleton University offers a variety of convenient opportunities to recruit students and alumni for co-op placements, internships, part-time, full-time and new graduate positions.
Talent retention and succession planning through lifelong learning
The disruption of recent years has seen the world of business become exponentially complex. Organizations and businesses require people with the knowledge, skills and vision to lead them through this period of transformative change and into the future.
Innovative leadership and management education
Sprott’s Professional MBA (PMBA) is designed intentionally for busy professionals. To enable students to continue working and balance life’s many demands, courses are delivered in an intensive, executive format with classes on Fridays and Saturdays of alternating weeks.
Sprott’s expert faculty delivers an integrated management curriculum with a focus on strategic leadership concepts and complex decision making. Courses reflect the current needs of organizations and market trends.
Students in the PMBA have access to a professional coach in Sprott’s coaching community for personalized and focused professional development support.
PMBA graduates often identify the diverse, cross-disciplinary perspectives of class discussions as one of the most valued aspects of the program.
“Whether it’s engineering, science, healthcare, environmental and social governance – you’re learning from people who are subject matter experts in their fields,” said Mohammad Al Jarrah, PMBA/21. “The points raised are very different from what you’d get in a room of like-minded individuals. The discussions are richer and more robust.”
Next generation financial education
As technology continues to grow its influence on business, so does the need for professionals who bring functional expertise in combination with skills in technology and analytics.
Starting this fall, the Sprott School of Business will offer its new Master of Finance (MFin) program to develop the next generation of financial professionals.
“Students interested in careers in Finance now have the opportunity to learn the most up-to-date financial knowledge and data analysis skills required by the industry,” said Yuriy Zabolotnyuk, MFin program director and associate professor of Finance at the Sprott School of Business.
“Our faculty are excited. Employers have been asking for this and we’re ready to deliver.”
The curriculum focuses heavily on the CFA® Institute Body of Knowledge, equipping students with deep knowledge of investment analysis, investment management, risk management, sustainable finance and ESG.
This is bolstered by skills in applied data analysis and proficiency in the latest industry tools and technology to prepare graduates for success in a highly competitive job market.
MFin students will gain practical experience through an internship and the opportunity to participate in the Sprott Student Investment Fund, a student-managed, real investment portfolio currently valued over $2 million.
Reach out to the Sprott School of Business to learn more about opportunities for lifelong learning and talent development.
