Networking, as many would inevitably tell you, is a mandatory part of the Sauder MBA experience, and absolutely crucial if you wish to land a job in Vancouver, even in Canada. To get a job interview, you either need to be a perfect match or know the decision maker, or someone remotely related to the decision maker. I know someone who was recently called for a pure Marketing & Sales interview, having nothing but IT Process Management experience. The first thing the interviewer said to this person was,
“So I can see from your resume that you have no Marketing experience at all.”….. Big surprise.
Networking events are important – but it is also critical to pick the right networking events. Time is a precious commodity during the MBA. The more you stretch yourself thin, the more likely it is that you will not be able to accomplish what you really want – and miss out on those vital opportunities that are central to your unique career objectives. It is tempting to go to every single event, Marketing, Supply Chain, Technology, Finance – just to make that single coveted connection, but it is important to be targeted and very focused.
For those that are not in the position to spend on average $40 per event, there is also volunteering. Most organizations that host professional events are delighted when faced with a potential volunteer. It is just a matter of finding that harried, hard-working organizer, and that’s usually not difficult. Organization websites and LinkedIn are excellent places to begin. I personally volunteer with the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and Wired Woman, and can recommend both associations whole-heartedly. There is also the Vancouver Board of Trade, the Project Management Institute, the Association of Women in Finance, the Hong Kong Canada Business Association, just to name a few. Affiliation with any of these organizations provides an excellent networking opportunity.
