Armed with a Master of Business Administration, a meticulous game plan and a coveted spot in Canadian Tire’s Next Generation Talent program, Mudit Chhabra (MBA ’24) is accelerating his entry into the corporate world.

The Brock University graduate’s path to career success was built on a foundation of research, networking and preparation. He outpaced more than 1,200 applicants to earn one of only five spots in the Canadian Tire program.

The two-year rotational program provides exposure to three different roles in the organization, allowing participants to develop leadership skills while gaining practical experience in retail and emerging technologies.

Chhabra said he couldn’t have been prouder when he found out he had earned one of the coveted spots.

“Knowing I had made it through such a competitive process reassured me that my hard work and strategic thinking had paid off,” he said.

The rigorous application process involved multiple interview rounds, case studies and assessments with Canadian Tire’s senior leadership, all while juggling academic responsibilities, submitting job applications and working part time as a Research Assistant.

“It was one of the most intense periods of my life,” he said. “I was preparing for exams, completing university assignments and interviewing for another competitive program at the same time. I had to be extremely disciplined with my time, setting my own deadlines well in advance and tracking every step of the process to ensure I was on top of everything.”

He credits his friends and family for helping him stay focused and confident.

“Their encouragement, along with my structured approach to time management, allowed me to perform at my best despite the overwhelming workload.”

Chhabra also credits Brock’s Co-op, Career and Experiential Education (CCEE) unit as a key resource in his job search, helping him refine his skills, build connections and ultimately secure his place in the highly competitive program.

He strongly encourages Brock students to get in touch with CCEE, who he said were particularly helpful in connecting him with graduates already working in his target companies.

“These interactions provided great perspectives and many times resulted in direct referrals that made all the difference in my job search,” he said.

He also leveraged experiential learning opportunities, including his co-op experience at Sanofi, where he worked as a Critical Material Management Co-op. His role involved mitigating risks in vaccine manufacturing and optimizing supply chain processes.

Joy Janzen, an Employer Talent Partnership Consultant with CCEE, praised Chhabra’s proactive approach to career development.

“I am incredibly proud of Mudit and his growth throughout his co-op journey to securing a post-graduation job,” she said. “From the start, he was highly engaged with the CCEE team, attending employer events, actively seeking feedback and refining his resume, interview skills and job search strategies.”

Now in his first rotation at Canadian Tire as a Business Systems Analyst in the Workday and HR platforms team, applying agile methodologies to optimize payroll, benefits and other HR functions for the company’s 30,000 employees.

“I’m gaining valuable experience in system configurations and learning how to translate business needs into technology-driven solutions. The rotational structure of the program is incredible because it pushes us out of our comfort zones and prepares us for leadership roles,” he said.

For MBA students looking to break into the job market, Chhabra’s advice is not to apply for jobs “blindly.”

Instead, he suggests students engage in meaningful internship or co-op projects to build a strong resume, track their applications, tailor their resumes to each role and research companies thoroughly.

“Most importantly, network with people in the industry,” he said. “Reach out to alumni and attend career events. And remember, setbacks are part of the process. Stay resilient and keep pushing forward.”