Every year, the MBA recruitment cycle starts earlier and earlier. Competition is fierce as companies in all industries attempt to find and retain talent from top-tier institutions. Since 2010, the Soutar Career Services Centre has organized an annual three-day Meet McGill Toronto networking trip that enables MBA students to learn about the Toronto job market, meet companies interested in recruiting McGill students for summer and full-time employment, and build their networks through meetings with alumni, mentors and employers. It’s also a chance to learn first-hand about Toronto as a city from both a professional and a personal point-of-view.
A snapshot of the employer presence during the Meet McGill Trip.
While the schedule changes from year to year, the trip typically includes company visits, speed mock interviews with employers, practitioner panels and cocktail events with employers and alumni.
Meet McGill 2018
This year’s networking trip saw the largest student turnout with 181 total participants (68 of whom where MBAs). Students have the ability to network and participate in function-specific (e.g. finance, marketing, business analytics, etc.) company visits and networking activities. For some streams, spots are limited and participants must apply via a competitive selection process. There are three main features of the Meet McGill Trip:
1. Company visits and stream-specific activities
The purpose of the Meet McGill trip is to build McGill’s presence in Toronto and connect current students with Toronto-based alumni and employers. One of the ways we accomplish this is by arranging company visits (over 25 separate visits in 2017), speaker panels and stream-specific networking events. Moving forward, we are looking for even more new and exciting ways to connect students with relevant employers so that it’s even easier (and more fun!) to learn about the industries and roles of the future.
2. Speed mock interviews
Each year, participating students have the chance to practice their interview skills via multiple rounds of speed mock interviews with employers. This year, 71 company representatives participated. After each interview, employers provide constructive feedback to students about how to improve their approach. It is a great learning experience and opportunity for students to showcase their skills while gaining visibility with Toronto employers.
3. Alumni reconnect reception
Renowned for the strength of our tight-knit network fostered by a small cohort, our faculty is proud to bring together both newer and older generations of our students. At our annual Alumni Reconnect reception, current students are able to meet with alumni and learn more about their lives and professional journeys. This year, approximately 180 alumni were on-hand to engage with 180 students, leading to the creation of many new personal bonds.
What does this mean for our MBAs?
From a placement perspective, it means that McGill MBAs are mobile and can be found not only in Montreal, but in many cities across the world. Our students often secure roles in the rest of Canada, particularly in Toronto, as demonstrated by the following 2017 placement statistics.
Montreal and Toronto are the two largest job markets in Canada. With events such as the Meet McGill Toronto Trip, which provides exclusive access to employers, our candidates can broaden their horizons and pursue a wide range of opportunities in both cities.
Desautels MBA Program
- Find out how Desautels’ small-size cohort creates unique opportunities by contacting our Student Ambassadors.
- Connect with a recruiter to learn more about pursuing an MBA at McGill.
