Archive for the ‘Student Life’ Category
Supply chain challenges between the Andes and the ocean: Notes from the Chile MBA trip
Posted by: tday in Student Life on May 27th, 2011
We landed in Santiago, Chile on Sunday, May 22, 2011 for a weeklong field study trip as part of the SFU Beedie School of Business MBA program.
The first thing we did was travel to Casablanca Valley for a tour of Casas del Bosque, where we learned about the phenomenal growth of Chile’s wine industry in the past decade. The following morning, we met with a Trade Commissioner from the Government of Canada to learn about the economic climate in Chile. Afterwards, we had a meeting with a Canadian entrepreneur in the mining industry who described the opportunities and challenges of starting a business in the country. To finish off our day, we headed to Scotiabank for a presentation on the financial sector and banking industry – one of the most stable in the world.
The next day, we met with representatives from Johnson & Johnson and Explora Hotels – two very different companies with one being consumer goods and the other luxury travel. Their insight into the market really highlighted the similarities and differences to doing business in Canada. One key difference was the logistics involved in managing a supply chain. Chile has been described as an island with the ocean on one side and the Andes on the other. This poses significant challenges in getting product from facilities in other parts of the world and generally takes much longer than what we would expect in Canada.
Stay tuned for our adventures in the next few days!
Chile – So far so good!
Posted by: michelle_au in MBA Experience, Student Life on May 26th, 2011
It’s Tuesday night, and the Canucks just won the conference finals. There is a group of 15 SFU MBA students in Chile, and we’re having a blast! So far we have met with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Embassy, a junior mining company, Scotiabank, Johnson & Johnson, and explora (a luxury travel company). Tomorrow, we will be meeting with Methanex, New Balance, and Colgate-Palmolive.
Chile Wineries, Casablanca Valley
One of the things I’ve learned so far is that there are unlimited opportunities here in Chile. The Chilean government has developed a program where young entrepreneurs can receive $40,000 in funding, with no equity stake, along with a work visa. For more information, you can visit their website at www.startupchile.org. Another key takeaway is that Chile is a small market relative to other countries. As a result, it is not easy to facilitate customer requirements. Often, manufactured goods for large companies such as Johnson & Johnson will have to import its products from neighbouring countries such as Argentina and Brazil. MNCs do not view their Chilean markets with much priority, and therefore, do not have plants within Chile.
We have also had the chance to do some sightseeing. Our group has traveled to the Casablanca area for some wine tasting, and we were also able to walk around Santiago and truly experience the city. We ended today by visiting the Virgin Mary, and of course an authentic Chilean dinner and lots of “Pisco Sours” and vina!
Beedie finance students RISE to challenge at world’s largest investment forum
Posted by: Sara Moghaddamjoo in MBA Experience, Student Life on May 25th, 2011
Redefining Investment Strategy Education (R.I.S.E) is the world’s largest student investment forum. Four students from the Master of Financial Risk Management program, Milton-Andres Bernal, Amy Lin, Simon Hutchison and Christine Jakshoj represented Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business at the 11th annual conference (R.I.S.E XI), held in Dayton, Ohio from March 31 to April 2, 2011.
R.I.S.E embraces the format of the World Economic Forum, annually held in Davos, Switzerland that delivers three key components: keynote sessions, learning workshops, and a student investment fund competition. It emphasizes an interactive dialogue between the students and leading business professionals who conduct panel discussions and informal presentations. With the help of many participants and sponsors, such as Merrill Lynch, BlackRock, Wall Street Journal, CFA institute, JP Morgan Chase, Bloomberg, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte & Touche LLP and more. There were more than 300 industry professionals present at the conference to share their experiences with the students.
Global-class keynote speakers and workshops
The first day of the conference was entirely devoted to the keynote speakers who discussed the markets, socially responsible investing, Federal Reserve perspective, risk management, the economy, and teamwork. Each keynote speaker was given an open floor to start the debate about the panel’s specific issue. To conclude each discussion session, the students lead the direction of each panel through a fluid exchange of ideas and questions. Read the rest of this entry »
A glass of Viña Errazuriz to cap off MBA ride
Posted by: tday in MBA Experience, Student Life on May 13th, 2011
An MBA field trip to Chile is on the agenda for some of us in late May. We will spend a week in Santiago meeting with some of the most prominent businesses in the area including Methanex, Teck, Nike, Red Bull, Johnson & Johnson and the copper mining giant Codelco. The trip would not be complete without exploring one of the country`s many wineries, so we will also be given a tour of Viña Errazuriz in the famous Aconcagua Wine Valley. (I have to admit that I am well prepared for this portion of the trip. My final paper in our Emerging Markets course was an analysis of the Chilean wine industry.)
Politics, business, and the U-Pass: Get to know the Graduate Student Society
Posted by: Elif Boz in Student Life on April 20th, 2011
After a successful campaign, I was elected to be the Operations and Finance Officer of Graduate Student Society (GSS). GSS is a student-run, not-for-profit organization, and the official representative body for all Masters and PhD students at SFU. The GSS represents over 4,400 graduate students for SFU’s decision-making bodies.
On March 13 - 21st of 2011, graduate students at SFU voted in the GSS Officer Election. There were 3 positions, Coordinating & External Relations Officer, Academic & Internal Relations and Operations & Finance Officer. During this electoral undertaking, there were 4,415 total registered graduate students that were eligible to vote. A total of 564 graduate students voted in the Officer Elections, representing a 13% voter turn-out. This election had the highest voter turnout in its three-year history. Much of which I believe, came from the graduate students from the Beedie School of Business . As a Business Graduate student, I am grateful to be a representative and officer in GSS.
Read the rest of this entry »
SFU Makes a Strong Presence at the Haskayne 24 Hour Case Competition
Posted by: Connie Chang in Student Life on April 11th, 2011
For the second year running, the Haskayne 24 Hour Case Competition took place in Calgary from March 10-13, 2011. Four SFU MBA students, Kelvin Chiu, Kathleen Williams, Timothy Charles and Connie Chang, rose to the challenge and represented the Beedie Graduate School of Business in this intense competition.
The SFU team delivered a solid strategic growth plan for Fotolia, a European online photostock company that is currently expanding into North America, and was commended for our logical thinking and professionalism by the Judging Panel. Up against 16 teams from ten MBA schools across Canada, we stood out with our genuine enthusiasm, light-spirited West Coast style and tastefully coordinated dress attire. By the end of the event, we were proud to rank 2nd in our division, coming close behind the experienced Queen’s team, who moved onto the Finals to achieve 2nd place in the overall competition.
My Life as an International Student in Canada and SFU by Elif Boz (Edited by Lauren Looi)
Posted by: Elif Boz in Student Life on April 8th, 2011
Hello everyone!
My name is Elif Boz. I am an international student from Turkey, and I am a candidate of Master of Financial Risk Management (MFRM) at SFU.
Our program welcomes students from all around the world, which is indicative of the fact that 80% of the students are international. SFU offers an international student office on the Burnaby campus that provides mentorship programs and advisory services. You can always find a helping hand at SFU.
It is important to apply for the program as early as possible as the application process can take quite a long time. For those who are determined to pursue a career in the finance industry, the MFRM is the right program that offers a unique blend of rigorous training in all aspects of financial risk management as well as real-world experience. You will definitely have a really heavy workload but a big part of the program is about managing your time, balancing social and academic activities and taking advantage of an amazing year with classmates.
Business Career Expo 2011 by Michelle Au
Posted by: michelle_au in MBA Experience, Student Life on April 4th, 2011
Wow! I just got back from the 2011 Business Career Expo, and it was an amazing experience. As an MBA student, I was able to attend the luncheon before the expo began. This was a great opportunity to talk to some employers in a smaller setting. It also allowed me to get into my “elevator pitch” mode. Even though not all employers had positions that I was interested in, I was able to learn about the companies and get a feel for the culture.
The expo itself was amazing. There were over 70 employers at this years expo. Companies ranged from banks, and accounting firms, to Pepsico, and NewAd. There was something for everyone. I was intimidated at first, however, as more and more people entered the room, I knew it was time to get my game on. If I were to stand out, I needed to go and talk to some employers.
So, now what? Apart from research before the expo, be sure to follow up with the employers you were interested in. I like to send personalized thank you cards in the mail. I think this is better than an email which can be deleted and forgotten. Also, try to find someone within the organization to conduct an information interview with. You can find these contacts through your personal network, or LinkedIn. I have found that most people are very open to talking to students. If you’re lucky, you may find someone that’s an alumni of your school. Alumni’s are a great resource, you have a common topic right off the bat, and they understand what you’re going through.
To sum up, here are some tips for a successful Career Expo/Networking Events:
- Research exhibitors/participants
- Be prepared to ask questions that will help you stand out
- FOLLOW UP!!
Happy Job Hunting!!
The Haskayne 24 Hour Case Competition by Kathleen Williams
Posted by: SFU Beedie in MBA Experience, Student Life on March 30th, 2011
On Thursday March 10, a team of four from the Beedie Graduate School of Business headed to Calgary for the Haskayne 24 Hour Case Competition. It promised to be a great weekend and one we had been preparing for since returning to class after the winter break.
Connie, Kelvin, Tim and I applied to be members of the team representing Beedie in January. We each made a case for our specific skill sets in a short 250-word application. My ‘core competencies’ were in having subbed in on the MBA Games Case Competition Team and my ability to work fantastically on very little sleep (providing caffeinated beverages were readily available).
Before the competition we met up several times to develop a team dynamic, and to run practice simulations – including one 8-hour case practice session using the case from the 2010 Haskayne competition. However, without having completed a true 24-hour simulation we had no idea what we were truly facing when we arrived in Calgary.
Thursday, March 10
We arrived in Calgary on Thursday afternoon, and were picked up by a town car sent by Haskayne and headed to the Hyatt Regency to check in, meet with the organizers and get ready for the opening ceremonies that evening. We were instructed to maintain anonymity and were assigned the name Team Hyatt.
The opening ceremonies were hosted at the University of Calgary, with an opening keynote address by Clive Beddoe, CEO of WestJet. We mingled with some of the other teams – meeting fellow MBA candidates from schools including University of Saskatchewan, UBC, Dalhousie, McMaster and University of Calgary. The organizing committee drew for case briefing and presentation pools, and Team Hyatt was selected for the 8:30 AM briefing time at the University. With the time change from Vancouver to Calgary that meant a very early Friday morning departure from the hotel.
Job finding in the financial industry; challenges and resolutions. By Sara Moghaddamjoo (Edited By Lauren Looi)
Posted by: Sara Moghaddamjoo in Student Life on March 25th, 2011
As part of the upcoming Business Career Expo on March 25, we are running special commentaries from our graduate business students on the hunt for the best jobs in the worlds of management, finance and beyond. The Business Career Expo, which is co-hosted by the Beedie School of Business, is the largest business-themed student career expo in British Columbia. We think you’ll find their unique perspectives both helpful and inspiring – given the particular challenges of looking for work in the current economic environment.
It is now half way through our one year Master of Financial Risk Management (MFRM) program and many students have started thinking more seriously about securing a job immediately after graduation – while a number of current students have already started celebrating their secured job positions for after the program.
Finding a job can often get frustrating, specially during the ongoing economic recovery, but SFU’s graduate business school has made the students’ job searching process a lot more convenient by having a very strong and active Career Management Centre.
The involvement with this centre is almost as important as learning the courses for many students, if not more important. Professional career managers at Beedie School of Business guide students with their job search and prepare them for the real world business environment with mock interviews, various workshops and many resume review sessions. With the help of the career management I was able to prepare and qualify for my first finance internship.
Information Interviews – You gotta do it! by Michelle Au
Posted by: michelle_au in Student Life on March 24th, 2011
As part of the upcoming Business Career Expo on March 25, we are running special commentaries from our graduate business students on the hunt for the best jobs in the worlds of management, finance and beyond. The Business Career Expo, which is co-hosted by the Beedie School of Business, is the largest business-themed student career expo in British Columbia. We think you’ll find their unique perspectives both helpful and inspiring – given the particular challenges of looking for work in the current economic environment.
As uncomfortable as you may feel talking to a stranger, it’s something you “just gotta do.” When I entered the MBA program, all I knew about what I wanted to do after graduation was that I did not want to go back to my old job. I am still figuring out what I want to do, and this is where information interviews come in.
So how do you get an information interview? I got one through the human resources office of a company I was interested in. I had attended several information sessions, but they never sent someone from the department I was interested in. I approached the HR representative, and asked for a referral to someone who was in the department I wanted to work in. My other informational interview came through a referral from a classmate.
Student-Managed $10 Million Fund Soars, by Lauren Looi, edited by Derek Wong
Posted by: Lauren Looi in Student Life on March 15th, 2011
On February 24, 2011 finance professionals and students alike gathered in the foyer of the Segal Graduate School campus in downtown Vancouver. As they walked into the building, they were greeted with welcome packages before being ushered into the presentation room. Not only was it a chance to attend SIAS’ fourth quarter presentation, but also the opportunity to mingle with industry colleagues, past alumni, and future graduates.
During the first quarter of 2011, the SIAS fund broke new ground by reaching an asset value of $10.8 million for the first time. Feeling the rush of reaching new highs in the current environment, we were excited to deliver news of a 9.9% return for the final three months of 2010. Alex Conconi opened up the event with a brief overview of the year’s events including the financial impact of Greek’s downgraded debt, the explosion of BP’s Deep Horizon oil rig, and the rise of Read the rest of this entry »
SFU victory at Global Investment Research Challenge translates into date with Warren Buffett, by Derek Wong
Posted by: Lauren Looi in Student Life on March 8th, 2011
March 5, 2011 – Four Seasons Hotel, Downtown Vancouver
After months of research, five teams — from UVic, TRU, SFU, UBC, and UBC-Okanagan — finally had a chance to present their masterpiece. The competition began in October 2010 based on Westport Innovations, a company that not all had heard of, in an industry with a limited history. For the SFU team, represented by Alex Conconi, Lauren Looi, Robb Ponti, Chris Tse, and Jin Yan, five months of company and industry research, financial statement analysis, risk analysis, and financial modeling boiled down to a 10 minute presentation in front of a panel of three judges at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Vancouver.
Having several months to prepare, each team presented with utmost eloquence and definitude. But no amount of practice was able to prepare the teams for the brutally tough questions from the judges. Following the presentation, each team was subjected to a 10 minute Q&A. Every little detail was questioned and the judges showed no mercy in grilling participants. Audience members cringed and watched in silent anguish as they watched the teams struggle with the interrogation. However, something unexpected happened when it was time for SFU’s Q&A session… they stumped the judges. Whereas every other team was questioned until the allotted time expired, SFU satisfied the judges’ appetite for completeness.
Taking you to the front row: SIAS 2010 Performance Overview (By Meadow Wu, edited by Lauren Looi)
Posted by: Meadow Wu in Student Life on March 4th, 2011
Starting at $7 million in 2003, the SIAS Fund has grown to over $10 million after years of hard work by SFU’s GAWM and MFRM students. On February 21st 2011, the fund hit a record high with over $10.80 million under management, which ranks itself as the largest student managed fund in Canada and one of the largest in North America. As a MFRM candidate and an analyst in the SIAS Fund’s Compliance and Performance team, I would like to share with you some key data that highlights the fund performance in 2010.
The Fund experienced a total return of 9.89%, the largest growth since 2003. The Canadian Equity portfolio gained 18.50% and contributed to almost half of the Fund’s total return. Our holdings were the major contributors to Canadian Equity’s performance and reflected the teams exceptional stock selection. Global Equity experienced large volatility during the year, which is representative of the turmoil across the globe (Haiti earthquake, the BP Deep-water Horizon oil spill and Iceland’s volcanic eruption), ended the year with a 5.00% return. Key strategies included investing in companies emphasizing overseas growth in Asian and the Emerging markets in the first quarter and investing in the U.S. at year-end. The Fixed Income Team took a conservative investment approach due to continually compressing yield curves. Their key strategy has been to invest in bonds that would immunize the portfolio against interest rate changes.
To manage our risk, we adopted the Value-at-Risk (VaR) model developed by previous cohort. The model was used to calculate the potential losses that the portfolio would expect to lose. A major advantage of understanding risk, is realizing how much risk we are taking on for the return that we expect to realize. We aim to minimize the risk and maximize return at optimal levels. The Risk Metrics team are key in understanding.
The Compliance and Performance team strive towards improving performance evaluation for the Fund. They have implemented a new model for one portfolio that has significantly improved attribution accuracy and are currently implementing this method to evaluate the performance of the Fund as a whole.
I look forward to sharing more of my exciting and valuable experiences over the next few months. For more information, please visit our website at http://beedie.sfu.ca/sias/. You are more than welcome to leave a comment or question, I am happy to respond or answer any that you have.
The MBA Games Experience Revisited by Lee O’Donnell
Posted by: Jessica Fong in Student Life on February 22nd, 2011
Vancouver at four in the morning in the wintertime looks a lot like an alien planet: Closed shops, vacant streets, and dimly lit homes all bathed in a gray lunar light is all there is for anyone to notice at this hour. The only people who happened to be awake were the final devout partygoers downtown, and the weary-eyed travelers on their way to catch early morning flights. I was of the latter.
When we arrived in Toronto, it was a cold but pleasant day. A brisk reminder of the unique nature of Vancouver’s kind Winters. After arriving in the hotel lobby we were greeted by a cheerful MBA Games volunteer wearing a name tag as proof of authenticity and a neon green shirt that was only rivaled in blinding colour intensity by our tie dyed SFU sports team jerseys. We were directed to the registration tables where we were met with more neon clad volunteers who issued each team member a wrist band and a bag of standard issue fare from corporate sponsors. The bag most notably included an aluminum water bottle, and a box of cinnamon toast crunch.
At 7pm that evening we all walked from the main hotel concourse to the banquet hall through a series of stairwells and corridors being met by other school teams in full uniform also on their way to the banquet hall. It was clear at this point that the tone the rest of the weekend was going to take would be an interesting cocktail of friendly conversation mixed with intense competition on the courts and in the boardrooms. It would be a memorable weekend for certain!
Walking through the banquet hall doors revealed the venue for the night: A room the size of a football field, saturated in the enthusiasm of 660 MBA students. With the opening of the symbolic briefcase to commemorate the beginning of the games, the school teams began a series of unique displays of team spirit. Some schools chose to show it with croquet mallets and matching garb, others wielded streamers or electric guitars. Being the international school that we are, it was a clear choice that we use Vuvuzelas for our team anthem herein for the rest of the competition.
A part of the opening ceremony was a chance for every school to have an introductory dance and song. These presentations turned out to be as varied as the schools themselves. Everything from dawning sunglasses and standing in utter stillness, to fully choreographed dance sequences with rock guitar solos were presented with catchy sing-a-long instructions. Even men dressed as ‘single ladies’ bravely entered the stage for everyone’s enjoyment. It was a thoroughly entertaining night, and a grand beginning to the competition.