Management Sweaters are a'coming!

UTSC Management sweaters are coming soon! 

But before we can see them in the management e-store, there's a decision that needs to be made... that being, the design. We've been working over the summer on what exactly should or could be on these sweaters and we've narrowed the list down to six. Visit here, to vote on what design you would like to see on the very first UTSC Management Sweater. 

We're about to make history, well.. at least for our department!

Cornell Jones

How I survive interviews!

As management students, there is a 90% chance or more, that we will be interviewed in the future or already have been. Whether it is for part-time summer work, full time work or volunteer internships, an interview is tool that removes the barrier between you and the organization. I have been in a few interviews myself and have adopted a few personal strategies.

1. Setting the mood. Most interviewers that I've come in contact with, have fallen under one of three categories: the nice interviewer, the neutral interviewer or the tough interviewer. Sometimes it is not wise, especially for minimally experienced students like myself, to rely on chance when going through an interview. I found it much wiser to set the mood as early as possible with either a friendly smile, a light & humorous comment or verbally express how excited you are to have gotten the interview in the first place. Often enough, these initial behaviors may, at the least, make the interviewer smile, which in turn could change his or her mood for the better as the interview proceeds (tough to neutral, neutral to nice). However, this has not always adjusted the interviewers mood, but regardless, it allowed me continue answering questions feeling optimistic and enthusiastic.

2. You don't have to feel confident. You should, however, look and sound confident. Showing signs of doubt or extreme nervousness can sometimes make the interviewer assume that you do not believe in your own skills. If you do not look like you believe in yourself, it is not likely the interviewer will. One of the first interviews I have ever had definitely proved this point for me. I had applied for a very dynamic position when I was in the eleventh grade and somehow earned an interview even though I knew I didn't demonstrate half the qualifications and skills listed in the position's description. In short, it was the shortest interview I have ever been in (she ended it early) but it felt like the longest. I've learned that the best way to look confident is by maintaining a fair amount of eye-contact and smiling whenever it's appropriate. To sound confident, do not mumble or shout. I found it useful to practice mock interviews at home or with a friend to find the appropriate tone and volume that projects confidence.

3. Coming prepared. I found it extremely beneficial to know about where I'm applying to. That might sound like a silly thing to say. "Of course I know that Kraft Canada is a food company, what else is there to know?" Knowing their corporate goals, their mission and/or where they see themselves in the future could be useful. What projects are they currently working for? What NGO's are they supporting? You should also try to know who is interviewing you. Sometimes you'll even be able to research what they enjoy or their recent accomplishments. Going above and beyond in learning about the organization, will show. If the interviewer asks a question about their company, rather than a generic answer, the response will be sharp and intelligent.

4. Thinking before I answer. I realized, from past experiences, that I was not necessarily thinking my responses through. I would sit at home and practice answering typical questions and think "Wow, that would be such an impressive answer" but when it comes to the interview, I wouldn't be able to regurgitate all the details I had conjured up at home when I wasn't under pressure. I learned that rather than rushing to answer, taking a 5 to 10 second pause or even repeating the question back to the interviewer, allowed me to be more genuine with my answer and adopt the STAR method, as I had time to think. 

Learn more about interviews, and other useful information here. Or watch the video below for some... inspiration. 

 

Cornell Jones  

LIVE Conference w/ Jessica Orellana!

As a management student, we are exposed to numerous events from MESA, but among all, the LIVE Conference is one that requires the most work and needs the most allocated time, but it is also among the finest executed events the University of Toronto Scarborough has to offer. The LIVE executives--whom are a subsidiary team to MESA--put forth a great deal of effort in bringing the LIVE Conferences to life each year.

LIVE Conference is a two-day national business conference hosted by the University of Toronto Scarborough. Held in downtown Toronto, LIVE brings together the brightest and most ambitious undergraduate business students from across Canada. A significant component of the conference is an intense competition spanning all major areas of business, which challenges delegates to apply their knowledge in a real world simulated business environment. 

Jessica Orellana, the curriculum manager for the 2012 LIVE Conference, was pleased with how the event turned out and was more than happy to answer a few questions on behalf of the hard-working 2012 LIVE Conference team. Here's what she had to say!

      1.  As a LIVE executive, how do you feel the event turned out?

Being a past Delegate, I was very anxious to see how the conference played out now that I was an executive; it was beyond my expectations. Delegates and supporters our conference gave us great feedback. I had many people tell me how unique our curriculum was, how much fun they had at the socials and how happy they were to take time off school to experience LIVE. It was specifically during the end of curriculum that I saw how proud everyone was for having completed two days of conference. I knew then, we had done a great job.

2.  How was this LIVE event different from past ones? 

This LIVE Conference is different because of the diversity in our team. Coming from a business program, it is sometimes hard to find different mindsets contributing to an innovative project. However, many new ideas came to play; some of these included new telecommunications rounds, a new Corporate Connections set-up and seating arrangements for more delegate interactions. These contributions from our team definitely made LIVE 2012 different than previous year’s conferences.

3.  What is/was your favorite part about LIVE?

From a curriculum perspective, my favorite part was interacting with the delegates. I loved seeing how entrepreneurial and strategic the delegates were. Every time I was asked questions during curriculum was not only guidance to them but a learning opportunity for me.  I would say it is definitely the 150 delegates that makes LIVE come to life!

4.  Why should students attend LIVE 2013?

Students should attend LIVE 2013 because the conference gets better by the year. Each year a new team comes with new ideas and the previous teams come in to support them; it is combination of innovation and experience. From the curriculum to networking and social opportunities, this experience is a must-do at least once during a student’s university career. I strongly encourage people to experience LIVE 2013; they will not regret it!

For more information about LIVE 2012, or a place to keep updated for what is in store for LIVE 2013, click here. 

  

Jessica Orellana

MESA Target 4.0!

Listen up fellow students! Earlier this semester, the Communication Executives at MESA, asked management-related professors about how to achieve in their respective courses. While studying a lot is commendable, and shows great dedication to your academics, studying smart is what sometimes differentiates an outstanding student from an average student. Professors often have their own helpful strategies that students can follow in order to achieve high marks and an excellent understanding in courses. I strongly encourage students, especially those in their first year, to head over to the MESA website and check out their blog. You will find useful, rresourceful and even entertaining information, including the full-length interviews in the Target 4.0 series. While the articles in their entirety can be found at www.mesa.ca, below are samples from 3/6 professors.

Professor Quan Fun - Financial Accounting / MGTB05/06 

Biggest tips for student success in the course:

1. Stay on top of the weekly course reading materials
2. Attempt as many class discussion problems before the lecture
3. Participate in all class discussions
4. Attend the optional tutorial sessions
5. Reach out to your instructor in a timely manner if you require further explanation or clarification of any problems or concepts.

Professor McConkey - Management / MGTA03/04

Q. What are some common mistakes that some students make when taking this course?

A. Many don’t come to class or to study group time. Those that do are better able to apply the material of the text. Reading the text only once is not enough either – there are too many lists of things that end up seeming really similar during an exam.

Professor Grinnell - Mathematics / MATA32/33 

Q. What are some common mistakes that some students make when taking this course?

Professor Grinnell listed 6 common mistakes, in order of severity. Below is the top issue and the last issue students sometimes have:

1. Not knowing enough of the course, which is almost always caused by the double threat of not enough consistent serious studying and too much procrastination.  Statistics have shown that the very best students in MATA32 and MATA33 study those courses seriously every day and they make those courses a priority in their daily schedule.

6. Not getting enough (free!) extra help from tutors and the course instructors.  Students think that their TAs and profs will think that their questions are dumb, or that they should know better.  The same students could not be more wrong!  Profs and TAs are extremely willing to help their students and they really can help!

Elmaan Masood

Say Your Peice! Become a Blogger.

Do you have something interesting to share with your fellow management students? Are you interested in writing for the Department of Management? Do you have an article, website, video, audio podcast or simply a special topic in mind that management students would benefit from reading?

The Department wants to hear from you! We are currently looking for new student bloggers! It could be one idea or it could be many ideas, you could share one or you can share all. All blog posts will be written by management students and for management students.

For more information, please contact Cornell Jones, the Communications Coordinator, at cornell.jones@mail.utoronto.ca or Sheri Browne, the Co-Curricular Coordinator at sbrowne@utsc.utoronto.ca  with the following information:

1. Full Name 
2. Student Number
3. Program of Study 
4. Email and Telephone Number 
5. Along with one of the following for consideration to be posted: A written ranging from 50 – 400 words or an Audio/Video! 

Sheri Browne

Money in your Pocket!

As a first year, I've experience about a month of University life and I’m sure everyone, including myself, has spent quite a lot of money on various things. It’s time for us all to come up with a plan for saving. If you ask the famous Warren Buffett on how to get rich, the first thing he advises is to save money! As tomorrow’s business leaders, we do not want our cash to go into the trash. But how can we manage our money better? Here are my 4Ss that have helped me and might help you too!

1.   Spend Wisely

Watch your credit cards. Most students carry one or more credit cards for their own convenience. However, it can also be a double edged sword that points back at us since credit cards can pay off our purchases regardless of how much we actually have. If we spend more than we ought to, which means exceeding the amount we can afford, we will find ourselves in debt trouble in the long run! This can also become a snowball effect if we pay off our debt with another credit card. Be smart and manage your money well. Always remember to pay your debt in full within the credit period. If you find yourself struggling with debt, you can always discuss it with your parents. 

2.   Save for Necessities

“Every penny you saved is a penny you earned.” When deliberating on a purchase, ask yourself ‘do I really need it?’ before spending the money. Successful marketers tend to come up with attractive advertisements for products. Do not fall for them. Remember the theories in our economic class: People face trade-offs. If we spend more on unnecessary things, you will find yourself having much less money for necessities. Therefore, never let the urge to buy luxury goods drive you. Always relate back to the above question and think it through rationally.

3.   Stay Organized

A principal you always want to remember where you’d spent your money; there are always useful apps on your smartphones that can help you account for how much you have spent. When we receive a colossal amount of money at the beginning of the year from OSAP or RESP, we tend to spend more. However, when it comes to our later years, problems will arise.  You don’t want this to happen in your following years at UTSC. Organizing how much you will spend is very important. As an additional tip, try to avoid gambling as a means for income, whether on campus or off. Underground gambling is illegal and lots of business leaders are against it. There are serious consequences that gambling brings. It is better to focus on bursaries and scholarships to support our financial obligations. For more information visit the Financial Aid Office locate at AA142.

4.   Student Benefits

There are numerous money saving opportunities provided by University of Toronto Scarborough. So take advantage of them! If you decide to engage in  management events provide by MESA, for example, purchasing their plus cards will be a wise choice as it gives you discounts on MESA events such as the CA Facts Night and other student experience events. Don’t miss out on these opportunities to enrich your resume! Enjoy all their experiences and save while doing it. What’s more? Our student union SCSU offers discounted TTC monthly passes. If you travel by bus more than 12 times a week, buying a bus pass from SCSU will certainly save you a lot of money. The SCSU office opens all day long, so save time and money and purchase them there. There are tons of money saving options available at UTSC for you to discover such as student meal plans, parking permits and library resources. There are always coupons and discount offers at the MESA website and the SCSU home page. Check them out often. You may be surprised. 

Ernest Tsang