MRC Bissett School of Business helps put you on path to success

When a group of three Mount Royal College business students entered a national entrepreneurship and business plan competition at the University of British Columbia in 2002, they were the only college students rubbing shoulders with teams from the top universities in Canada.

But when they walked away with the runner-up trophy, they realized that not only could they compete with the top universities, they could beat them.

In May 2004, a team of students from the Bissett School of Business will be competing against 40 other university and college business school teams at the National Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) Conference in Toronto.

At this same conference, MRC business student Amanda Harburn – the current CIBC Western Regional Student Entrepreneur of the Year 2004 – will compete against two other eastern university students for the National Student Entrepreneur of the Year title.

Wendelin Fraser, Dean of the Bissett School of Business, has seen many exciting developments in her time at the helm.

These are but a few in a long list of success stories that have helped the MRC Bissett School of Business become one of the most sought-after business programs in the country.

“Our programs are truly student focused, and this is a significant factor in ensuring our students get a jump on a highly successful business career,” says Dean of the Bissett School of Business Wendelin Fraser.

“The first-class academic credentials and personal business experience of our faculty make us confident business theory is covered in class. But we also make sure we hire great teachers, and this is imperative in achieving our goal of keeping our students inspired in their studies.”

School of Business students learn about everything from the finer details of crafting a business plan, to critical accounting principles, to business ethics and how to use that original business plan to see their dreams to fruition.

“When they come out of our school, they’re fully prepared to take on the business world, and to be in complete control of their futures,” adds Fraser.

The MRC Bissett School of Business has launched several new applied degrees in the past two years, bringing the number to eight business related applied degrees. MRC’s flagship Bachelor of Applied Business and Entrepreneurship degree – programs in which students launch their own ventures – offers streams in Small Business, International Business, Computer Information Systems, and Sports and Recreation.

Launched in 2002, the Bachelor of Applied Financial Services program prepares students to specialize in financial services in a variety of industries including banking, insurance, accounting and investment.

“Career opportunities in this field have never been better,” says Marc Jerry, Program Chair of Accounting, Financial Services and Aviation.

“As the banking and insurance industries offer more and more financial services, new jobs are being created that require a new combination of employment skills.”

Adds Fraser: “Our new applied degree in Financial Services complements our insurance diploma program – a two-year program that is known for its co-op work component, 100-per-cent employment rate and high starting salaries. For every graduate, there are typically three job offers.”

In Fall 2003, the first cohort of students began their studies in an applied business degree in International Business and Supply Chain Management. “There are unparallelled opportunities for employment as organizations work to keep pace with the demands and changes required to thrive in a competitive arena,” says Fraser. “Virtually every critical business activity is a component of the supply chain, meaning the skills acquired in this degree can be of value to almost every organization.”

The School of Business also offers a Bachelor of Applied Business Administration – Accounting, which is earning rave reviews from industry and students alike.

“This is an important program for the school and our students,” says Fraser. “We have recognition from the CAs, CGAs and CMAs, which obviously opens a lot of doors for the students. After launching this program in 2001, we are proud to see our first graduates completing their articling year with major accounting firms in the city.”

The School of Business also offers a two-year University Transfer Program, and diploma programs in Business Administration, Marketing Management, Human Resources and a nationally respected Aviation program.

Since its inception in 1970, over 1,000 pilots have graduated from MRC with an Aviation diploma and are flying for major airlines around the globe.

In September 2003, the Bissett School of Business moved into a new building.

“Over 1,600 business students are now enrolled at the College, and we continue to celebrate their successes,” says Fraser. “Our new building – complete with business success centre – is supporting this trend without interruption.”