5 Reasons to Transfer Business Schools Mid-Degree

By Lauren Cusato

“Am I really in the right place?”

If you’ve asked yourself this question at some point during your university career, you’re definitely not alone. Every year, thousands of students decide to make the move and transfer to a new university or college.

After completing my second year, I asked myself that same question and decided to transfer to a new business school in the middle of my degree. At the time it felt like a big risk, but I can honestly say it has been the most rewarding choice of my academic career.

Based on my experiences, here are five reasons why choosing to transfer business schools might be right for you!

 

1. It’s never too late to pursue your career goals

Choosing a degree and where to study is a big decision to make. Sometimes students don’t discover a subject they are passionate about until they are already enrolled in university and taking courses for a different degree.

And that’s okay.

When I was in Grade 12, I had a lot of different interests and ended up applying to both science and business related programs. I know, it seems like two opposite ends of the spectrum. I settled on general business administration and moved away from my hometown of Pickering, Ontario to a large university in the United States.

The general business administration degree I was studying involved several business courses, such as marketing, human resources and accounting. In high school, I never would have imagined myself studying accounting, much less specializing in it. However, in my second year, I took two introductory accounting courses that totally changed my perspective. It was as if a lightbulb went off! The material was all totally new to me, yet I wanted to keep learning more.

It was then that I started looking into the requirements to obtain my Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation at home in Canada. The Goodman School of Business at Brock University stood out to me right away, offering both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in accounting with the most streamlined way to reach my CPA.

I think it often helps to know that it’s OK to change your mind. Sometimes the school or program you select in high school doesn’t line up with what you ultimately decide to pursue.

Transferring universities allows you to move towards your goals in an academic program best fitted for you.

 

2. Find a community where you can grow

Sometimes, the business school you originally chose to attend proves not to be the best fit for your personality or style of learning.

Perhaps you started at a really large institution (like me) and you’re tired of feeling like just another number. Transferring schools is a great way to find a community where you can truly thrive and grow.

Part of this might involve finding a positive learning environment that suits your needs. This is part of what made the Goodman School of Business stand out to me. There is such a clear focus on intentional, collaborative and real-world learning.

Goodman’s small class sizes, engaging professors and impactful service-learning projects really was the perfect fit for my learning style. I have truly enjoyed getting to see familiar faces in my classes and interacting on a much more personal level.

Finding a business school with a wide range of extracurricular and leadership opportunities is also a huge advantage of transferring. I had the opportunity to get involved with the Goodman Accounting Students’ Association (ASA) team this past year, and it was such a great way to make friends and further develop my soft skills.

Choosing to transfer allows you to find a school that best suits your needs and helps you get the most out of your learning experience both inside and outside the classroom.

 

3. Begin to build connections

The university experience is about so much more than just your academic program.

I’ve always been told that “it’s not about what you know, but WHO you know.”

I think this is especially true for the business world, as you never know what doors will open or other career opportunities will arise when you take the time to build intentional connections.

University allows you the opportunity to start building a network of individuals who could shape your future career. This includes friends and fellow peers, professors, alumni or other industry professionals that your business school is involved with.

I knew that the Goodman School of Business had a great reputation within the accounting profession, and that small classes and a variety of experiential learning opportunities would be the perfect opportunity to kickstart my professional network.

In this way, transferring business schools allows you to find a school to start building connections with your future career in mind.

 

4. Location, Location, Location

Choosing to transfer business schools can also allow you to move to the location you want to be in most!

Maybe you are looking for a change of scenery and are seeking adventure in a new city? Or maybe you are looking to move back closer to home and your support network?

For me, while I did make the move closer to home, I still needed to find a house to live in closer to the university. As an upper-year student, I was concerned about finding a space to live in a city I wasn’t familiar with on short notice. It was also important to me to find a group of students with similar values and living habits who I would fit in with. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to check all those boxes.

Universities usually have their own off-campus living website you can check out for available rentals. I ended up finding an amazing group of people to live with through the Facebook page of a student club at Brock University, and was able to tour the house and sign my lease all remotely while I finished my semester.

So, no matter where you are or where you’re planning to transfer to, there are so many convenient ways to find a great place to live!

 

5. Transferring business schools is not as complicated as you think

University applications can often seem like a daunting task. Filling out forms, completing supplementary applications and asking for reference letters can be a lot to take in.

So, the thought of repeating this process in order to transfer can feel like an administrative nightmare to avoid. I was worried about issues with my credits transferring over, especially coming from an international school.

However, I can honestly say that the process could not have been easier.

Within a few days of submitting my application documents, transfer professionals from Brock University reached out to me with an offer of admission and detailed information on how some of my remaining transfer credits would be evaluated. I ended up receiving many more transfer credits than I expected, the majority of which fit into my degree program!

Following this, I was quickly connected to academic advisers at the Goodman School of Business who were so helpful and answered all of my questions relating to course sequences, registration and transfer averages.

Thanks to the amazing team at Goodman, I was easily able to manage this process while completing my school semester.

So, I would encourage you not to worry about the administrative details: you can do it! The university you transfer to will likely have a team of advisers and staff who are ready to support you and help guide you through the whole process.

 

Take the Leap with the Goodman School of Business

Ultimately, the time you spend in university should be spent making the most out of experiences that will lead you toward your career goals. As someone who just started a master’s program, I can assure you that time is very short! No matter where you are in your academic journey, it is never too late to find a business school that is the right fit for you.

If you’re interested in transferring to the Goodman School of Business at Brock University, you can take your next step and book an online appointment with a liaison officer. If you’re worried that your grades from your current university aren’t good enough, Brock has a new pathway called Fresh Start that considers students’ high school grades even though they may have already attended post-secondary school.

So, take the next step and go for it! Look up business schools you’re interested in transferring to and watch the virtual tours, speak to alumni or book an appointment with an adviser so you can learn more.

Transferring business schools may feel like a leap, but it is a leap worth taking!

Lauren Cusato (BAcc ’20) is a current Masters of Accountancy student at the Goodman School of Business.
She transferred to Goodman’s undergraduate accounting program in Fall 2018.

 

By Kajsa Cirocco

At a crossroads, the decision in front of us can seem daunting, stressful and we spend far too much time wondering whether we will choose the right path instead of pushing forward. Making decisions in a climate of uncertainty (like a worldwide pandemic, for example) only amplifies this fear.

One difficult decision I’ve faced in the past was how to choose a program of study. I ended up with business and let me tell you, it was worth every late-night assignment, every meaningful connection with a classmate or professor and every ounce of precious time devoted to extracurricular opportunities. These experiences have contributed to the person I am proud to be today.

Are you someone who is considering studying business? Here is my story and five tips for prospective business students.

1. You do not need to have a business background to be successful in a business program.
2. Failure is a part of learning.
3. Business education develops you as a well-rounded individual.
4. Go. On. International. Exchange.
5. Business applies to every industry.

How an Artsy-Fartsy Liberal Arts Grad Found Her Home Within the Business World.

As a member of the working world now, I often think back to my time as a student and the opportunities I was afforded to get involved, throw myself into learning and make the most of my time at university.

In my undergraduate degree, I studied what I liked, changing my major four times prior to graduating. I ended up with a Bachelor of Arts double major in Liberal Arts and Psychology, with a minor in Italian Studies. I took courses on Neuroscience, Renaissance Art History, Physics, and Philosophy, but never Business. Although I immensely enjoyed my studies, when I graduated, I was left with an overwhelming sense of “what next?” I didn’t think I was done with school.

My undergraduate degree was a perfect mix of me as a person: A bridge between arts and sciences. I felt my undergraduate knowledge could be a great asset if only I could learn to apply it to the business world.

My five top tips for students looking to study business

Tip #1: You do not need to have a business background to be successful in a business program.

I became excited thinking of all the possibilities. Business is so versatile — I could work anywhere! In my search for business education, I came across the Master of Business Administration program within the Goodman School of Business at Brock University. It seemed like the perfect fit for me: It was a two-year graduate program focused on management, there were multiple streams of specialization, courses were taught by award-winning professors and there were so many opportunities for extracurricular involvement. There was only one problem: I was someone who had never taken a business course before. Not in high school, not in university, never. And now I was considering pursuing a rigorous graduate degree in business with no prior business background.

Let me tell you: It was the best academic decision I have ever made.

The Goodman MBA was the perfect opportunity for me to apply the critical thinking and communication skills that I developed in my undergrad to hands-on business problems I was presented with in class.

Goodman alumna, Regan Fitzgerald (BA ’13, MBA ’16), shared a similar experience coming from a non-business background: “I grew to love the campus and the community during my time at Brock, which made it easy to find new opportunities. Although I came from a different field of study prior to my MBA, the program is structured to welcome students from all backgrounds.”

Tip #2: Failure is a part of learning.

I have fond memories of the Goodman School of Business MBA program, but it was not without its challenges.

During my undergrad, I had worked two jobs, maintained my academic scholarship and achieved an A average across all four years. I assumed graduate studies at the same university would be a similar experience. I was wrong.

By midterm time in November, I sat down with one of my professors to discuss a particularly low exam score. I was failing the class. One of the struggles I faced is that in my first semester, I was tasked with four data-heavy courses that were brand new to me*. I had done well in statistics and calculus in my undergrad, but finance and accounting were an entirely different way of thinking that my brain had not yet grasped. I kept wondering if my lack of business background was the reason for my failure.

I quickly learned that from every failure comes a learning opportunity. I simply was not devoting enough time to my studies, and data-heavy courses required daily work. I buckled down in my studies, quit one job, stopped excessive social activities, dropped a class, and by December, I was passing all my courses. After failing Corporate Finance, I decided retaking it in the Spring/Summer term might be a better option to ease my workload. Sometimes the best way to learn is to fall and practice getting back up (it also makes for a great comeback story).

In the words of Goodman alumnus, Spencer Mason (BBA ’19), “Always accept the biggest opportunity you are presented with and never forget to show appreciation to those who helped you along the way.”

*The MBA program plan has since changed to better balance quantitative and qualitative classes per semester. Check out the current program plans here.

 

Tip #3: Business education develops you as a well-rounded individual.

Although there were opportunities for involvement in my undergrad, I had never been exposed to so many extracurriculars that would further develop me as a person than when I studied at the Goodman School of Business.

I attended events put on by the Graduate Business Council, one of the many student clubs for business students. I signed up for a seminar where I learned how to properly utilize Microsoft Excel (this Liberal Arts student previously wrote a lot of essays…), SAS, and Microsoft Access; all incredibly useful tools not only for my classes, but also for the jobs I pursued after my education.

Goodman has a real-world approach and is a leader in Experiential Education. I was able to apply what I was learning in lectures and textbooks directly to local organizations through service-learning opportunities within my classes. This meant I was able to receive academic credit by working on projects with local businesses. Almost every course had an experiential component. For example, I developed a hiring strategy for a local non-profit organization in a Human Resources Strategy class and developed a logistics model for a transportation company in an Operations class.

Anyone who has studied business also knows about case competitions**. I was selected as a delegate for two MBA-based case competitions, the DeGroote National Case Competition and the John Molson International Case Competition. The fast-paced and intense environment of case competitions taught me to think quickly, manage my time, speak with conviction and work efficiently within a team of diverse personalities; skills that are all incredibly applicable to every job I have had since graduating.

I also got an on-campus job at a student-run consulting office where I conducted needs assessments, wrote comprehensive reports, and delivered presentations to Boards of Directors. I was expected to solve problems for a variety of organizations from a variety of industries. I wrote a compensation report for a local non-profit company; I developed a business case for a health organization that specialized in transportation for vulnerable people in the region; I presented a design plan for a new facility to local town council; I re-wrote a brand standards document for an organization whose name did not represent its services; the list goes on. I was able to apply finance, marketing, human resources, analytics, and operations principles to real-world client problems while I was still a student. I was helping local businesses and I got paid for it.

You could say I was fully immersed in my business education. And I was loving it.

Goodman alumnus, Neal Sengupta (BAcc ’16), has a similar anecdote to share: “The Goodman School of Business set me up for success in my first full-time position by providing me with opportunities to hone my technical skills in the classroom and my soft skills through extracurricular activities.”

**In addition to the case competitions mentioned, there are many other competitions available to Goodman School of Business students.

Tip #4: Go on International exchange.

One of my favourite memories of my Goodman MBA was going on international exchange for the last semester of my program. Studying abroad had been a dream of mine, but it was not something I could fit within my undergraduate degree (I changed my major four times, remember). I was learning to accept that it was not going to be a part of my academic experience when I heard about an informational seminar hosted by the Goodman International Exchange Office. Who knew I could fit an international exchange into my graduate degree!? I researched Goodman’s partner schools immediately and applied to the program. I was accepted to attend a semester abroad at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano in northern Italy.

An international exchange is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I couldn’t recommend this more for future students. I studied in a different country, learned a new language, made lifelong friends, travelled to over 40 cities, and developed skills that only come when you have to navigate new places by yourself. There is no better way to learn about yourself than through meeting other people and learning about other cultures. The amount of growth I experienced in a few short months is unparalleled to any other experience I have had thus far. Plus, the Goodman International Exchange Office was a huge help in holding my hand through the process of Visa applications and course selections.

Goodman alumnus, Ries Vahrmeyer (BAcc ’18, MAcc ’18), shares similar sentiments: “Take advantage of everything Goodman has to offer. Do workshops, join clubs and go on exchange. All these things will help you on your career journey — and you will have fun doing it.”

Tip #5: Business applies to every industry.

Business is such a broad term — anyone from a student entrepreneur opening their own dog-walking company to a Fortune 500 organization is a business. Business is so versatile; every organization needs business-minded people. We are surrounded by businesses and with a business education, you can work in any industry.

I have worked in hospitality, banking, consulting, operations, and most recently, alumni relations for the Goodman School of Business. As a former student, I bring an interesting perspective to my role as a staff member for the university. I work closely with Goodman graduates and I resonate with many of the experiences that our alumni share, as I too have experienced all that a Goodman degree has to offer.

It’s also eye-opening because I see that the same business degree can lead to a multitude of different jobs. We have Goodman graduates who are partners in large accounting firms, senior analysts for gaming organizations, policy advisors for the provincial government, founders of virtual and augmented reality businesses, winery and brewery owners, artists, cannabis corporations, film festival directors, professional athletes and more. A business degree is a great way of getting an accurate understanding of how the world works because every industry needs businesspeople.

When I talk to alumni, they often say that one of the most important things about business school is getting involved. Goodman alumnus, Omair Ahmed (BBA ’15), said, “Find ways to get involved in and around campus. The network you build today will stay with you for a very long time!”

I echo his thoughts, as getting involved enriched my academic experience.

Business School is worth it.

Whatever background you come from, whatever courses you have or haven’t studied, however many times you fall and get back up, business school is worth it. You will become a well-rounded individual with immeasurable theoretical and practical knowledge applicable to whatever industry attracts you.

Are you considering applying to business school? Check out Goodman School of Business undergraduate and graduate programs and hear directly from our alumni on how their Goodman degrees have impacted their academic, personal, and professional careers.

Are you seriously considering an MBA as part of your future? Without question, it is a big decision and one that could potentially shape the rest of your professional life. How do you know if the time is right to take on such a rigorous program? Read on for 5 signs you are ready to do an MBA.

#1 You Are Thinking About Your Future

When you think about your future, what comes to mind? CEO? Entrepreneur? Whether you have one career path in mind and know every step along the way to get there, or have several career options in mind that fill you with excitement, the fact of the matter is you are THINKING ABOUT IT. One of the biggest signs you are ready to pursue an MBA is that you are seriously thinking about your future.

An MBA on your resumé opens a world of opportunities available to you. This professional graduate degree provides a strong foundation of business knowledge and practical experiences gained through specialized classes, experiential education, group work and co-op placements. MBA grads are ready to solve today’s (and tomorrow’s) complex business problems.

Many students at the Goodman School of Business focus on their future by building their network through the many career exploration and networking events held each year. They know that every handshake or introductory conversation is an opportunity to create a new connection. It is never too early to start thinking about your future and an MBA is a great way to ensure future success in your chosen field.

#2 You Enjoy Being a Team Player or a Leader

One thing you can count on in an MBA program is lots of group work! Group work is important for aspiring professionals to learn how to examine complicated business scenarios and form solutions together – after all, this is the way problems are handled in real-world business situations!

Being comfortable working as a member of a group, or as a group leader, is a great sign you are ready to take on the challenge of an MBA program. Through coursework, group projects and real-world consulting assignments, MBA students develop their ability to effectively communicate, critically analyze problems, and collaborate with a diverse cohort of fellow students and community partners.  All these skills are valuable in business scenarios as a leader and a team player. The ability to function well in both positions is advantageous to a potential MBA student.

Becoming a manager is more than just achieving the title. Understanding how to effectively work with or manage other people in a way that motivates and inspires them to achieve more as a team is a worthwhile goal for anyone interested in a career in upper management.

#3 You Embrace Challenges

Getting your MBA is no easy task – but that does not frighten you! From classwork to homework, to balancing your personal life with school and maybe working a part-time job, there is no doubt that being a graduate student can be challenging in many ways. What makes you different and ready for an MBA Is that you see a challenge and embrace it head-on!

You may have just finished a four-year undergraduate degree and the thought of one to two more years of a demanding academic program is enough to make some people nervous, but MBA candidates flourish in challenging situations. While an MBA will complement your undergraduate studies, it will be very different and will focus more on the fundamental areas of business, such as accounting, finance, operations, and marketing. An MBA will help job seekers stand out from the crowd during job searches or be first in line for promotions. The challenge of getting an MBA will assist you in overcoming the challenges all professionals face as they enter and move through their career.

#4 You Want a Flexible Degree

No doubt about it, an MBA is applicable to almost any industry. This prestigious degree is able to flex and pivot from one industry to another if you ever wanted to change career directions. Many business schools, including the Goodman School of Business, offer students a diverse calendar of events, such as opportunities to learn from industry professionals and explore what it is actually like to work in a variety of industries.

Knowing where you would like to end up is great, but who knows what new opportunities may come knocking in the future? With an MBA, you know you can confidently open those doors to new careers. To demonstrate the flexibility of an MBA degree, you don’t need to look any further than the alumni pages of most business schools.

Pro tip: Ask a recruiter if they can connect you with alumni to ask them questions about how they have used their degrees. These informational interviews can be a useful tool in making a confident decision to get an MBA.

#5 When Others See Problems, You See Opportunities

Are you a glass half-full type of person?  Some people are intrinsically motivated to see the positive side of things and will always strive for a positive resolution no matter what the issue is. The same can be said of some MBA students: They thrive when tasked with a challenging problem to solve. This is often beneficial in professional situations because conflict can spark innovation. The innate sense of optimism and curiosity paired with a drive to succeed can create great results or new business ventures. Students may even be able to grow their ideas inside business incubators in universities such as the Goodman Group at Brock University.

Thinking outside of the box is another way to view opportunities. This is especially valuable for students who are interested in careers that are outside of the conventional business world. The insatiable drive to succeed is a common trait to many MBA students. If this sounds like you, then I would start researching business schools right away!

Start Your MBA at Goodman School of Business

This is by no means an exhaustive list of things students should consider when deciding whether or not to get an MBA, but in my experience speaking with MBA students and graduates, these are some great things to think about while you are deciding.

One of the best ways to determine if a program is right for you is to contact the program’s recruiter directly and have a conversation. That way, they can make suggestions tailored to YOU or share information with you that you may have not yet come across in your research.

Getting an MBA is a huge decision, and we at the Goodman School of Business want to ensure that each and every student is making the right decision for the right reasons. After all, today’s MBA students are tomorrow’s business leaders.

We can’t wait to see what you will accomplish!

This school year is definitely like no other. Like many of you, I am taking all my business school courses online from home. This was very different from the first four years of my experience at Brock University’s Goodman School of Business. Things that once seemed time-consuming, such as being involved in on-campus clubs, meeting up in person for classes and group projects, and even getting to and from campus, were actually what made my days more social and gave me a healthy routine.

If this is your first time studying from home, it is easy to feel overwhelmed when transitioning to a new learning environment online.

Despite this radical change, a successful school year is still possible, whether you are studying on campus or at home. From one student to another, here are my five top tips that will help you have the successful virtual school year that you deserve.

#1 Schedule Your Day

The biggest challenge many students are finding when transitioning to online schooling is the lack of a schedule in their day. Whether you have synchronous or asynchronous classes, there is definitely less structure in your day when lectures and seminars are all online. At the beginning of distance learning, I found that without a structured schedule, I became more easily distracted and took more time than necessary to do simple tasks that would have taken me less time to do in person.

So, I created a schedule of what I wanted to accomplish in a day, and it really helped with my productivity. I also started to feel less overwhelmed and a lot more organized and ready for my classes.

My tip would be to block off times in the day to work on tasks. For synchronous classes, block off any time that you are in lecture, and then schedule time for homework, readings, or assignments. Having a few one- to two-hour blocks during the day can help you realize the progress you have made, stay more productive, and avoid procrastination.

#2 Stay in Touch with Other Students

 Whether you’re taking synchronous or asynchronous classes, remote learning can make it difficult to feel like you’re in a class at all, especially if you’re used to taking in-person classes. It can feel isolating when you’re working on assignments or studying for a test and not have peers to bounce off ideas with. For some, feeling isolated and not being able to see peers can make it difficult to focus on school and be successful in courses.

One way to feel more connected to the Brock community is to attend online events. For example, the Goodman School of Business has clubs and departments that offer various events to help students feel connected in the Brock and Goodman community.

I often check out CareerZone for the latest networking and career-focused events, such as presentations and guest panels. I follow Goodman clubs on social media to find out what events and programming they have on offer throughout the year, so I can connect with my fellow peers. ExperienceBU is another great resource to check out for more university club activities featured throughout the semester, like video game competitions or Netflix viewing parties.

#3 Stay Active

One of the biggest changes I have noticed since starting online classes is the amount of sitting I do in a day. When you’re at school in person, you move around a lot when going between different classes, commuting from your dorms, or simply just walking around on campus.

Distance learning from the comfort of your own home also means that everything from lectures to group meetings are all now at your desk, so there’s much less movement throughout the day.

Sitting for long periods of time can have negative effects on your body and can affect your focus as well as your mood. Students can also experience a higher possibility of developing poor mental health due to the body’s lack of blood flow and low Vitamin D levels as we stay inside all day.

My tip for staying active is to go for walks throughout the day. Before you begin class, go for a quick walk around your neighbourhood. Light exercising in the morning helps put you in a positive mood before studying, helps burn off some energy, and feels similar to leaving your house or dorm to get to school or walking between classes.

#4 Practice Self-Care

When you don’t need to leave the house to go to school, it can be very easy to forget some of the things in your old routine that allowed you to feel like you’re getting ready for the day. Simple things like cleaning your room and eating a healthy breakfast can help start you start your day on the right foot and feel ready for your tasks.

Self-care is different for everyone but remembering and making a conscious effort to take care of yourself and your well-being will contribute to a more focused and productive day.

#5 Contact Your Professors

During in-person school, you could usually ask your professor any questions you have about assignments or upcoming tests after class or during office hours. With remote learning, it can be more difficult to feel comfortable talking to faculty members about your coursework.

However, it is still very important to contact your professors if you have any questions about your work and the course material involved, or even if you simply just want to introduce yourself (which is also a great way to grow your network!).

Remember, your professors are there to help you and are welcome to questions whether virtual or in-person. If they do have virtual office hours, it is a good idea to try to attend them at several points throughout the semester, even if just to say hi! You can also reach them by email by visiting the online faculty directory. By contacting them sooner, you will be able to address any of your questions or concerns, and have a more successful semester as a result.

You Can Succeed as a Remote Learner

Remote learning can be a challenge, especially if you are transitioning from an in-person environment to remote learning online. But by implementing even just a few of these tips, you will be set up for a successful virtual school year ahead of you.

Have a great semester and remember to make the most of your university experience, no matter how you are learning!