At business school, you’re surrounded by ambitious professionals and industry experts, all with unique experiences and perspectives to share. It’s a chance to build connections that can lead to mentorships, partnerships, or even your next career move.
Many of these relationships start in student clubs. Here’s how they can help you make the most of your MBA experience.
1. Develop leadership skills and career-ready expertise through MBA student activities
Whether you’re a natural leader or still finding your style, there’s no substitute for practical learning.
Luckily for MBA students, extracurricular activities provide the opportunity to step into leadership roles and prepare for real-world responsibilities.
For Aaron Yen (pictured), MBA student at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, student clubs have been a key part of his leadership development.
As vice-president of industry and careers on Rotman’s Graduate Business Council and MBA student ambassador, Aaron’s responsibilities have given him a taste of the complexities of real-world leadership.
Through these positions, he organizes networking events, represents the school to prospective students, and strengthens ties between Rotman’s 35 student clubs, staff, and industry professionals.
“Student clubs have been the absolute best simulation of running an organization or a team, says Aaron. “I’ve gained real hands-on experience managing finances, dealing with conflicts, working with diverse groups of people, and motivating teams.”
Student clubs provide a lower-stakes environment for students to put the skills they’ve learned in class into practice, explains Renice Jones, director of student engagement at Rotman.
“Students get the chance to build different skills and stretch themselves through these roles. They’re not just running events—they’re practicing public speaking, problem solving, influencing others, and managing teams, all of which directly translate to careers in leadership,” she says.
2. Build meaningful professional connections through MBA networking
It’s no secret that the connections you make during an MBA can play a key role in shaping your career.
Through student clubs, MBA students have the chance to connect with peers and professionals in ways that go beyond the classroom. Clubs regularly host panels, speaker events, and informal mixers that allow students to network with industry leaders and gain practical insights into their fields.
“Networking is at the core of the MBA experience. It’s not just about the people in my cohort, but alumni and professionals across different generations and levels of seniority,” says Aaron.
Student clubs at Rotman regularly organize events that give students direct access to industry leaders and unique learning opportunities. Aaron recalls organizing an event that brought together 120 attendees, including senior executives and alumni.
“Rotman has that breadth to contact people in senior leadership positions—I was able to speak with a vice-president of a bank turned professor and a very successful management consultant in front of an audience.
“That was one of the unique experiences that you just cannot put a price tag on,” he says.
When the Barbie movie dominated headlines in 2023 as one of the year’s most talked-about marketing campaigns, Rotman students had a front-row seat to the strategy behind its success.
Mattel executives visited campus for a panel discussion hosted by the Rotman Association of Marketing and Sales, Women in Management Association, and Rotman Sports and Entertainment Association, offering students a behind-the-scenes look at the campaign.
But it’s not just about the professionals you meet—some of the most important connections you’ll make in business school are with your fellow students.
“The people you meet in student clubs often become your closest friends,” says Aaron. “They’re the ones you turn to for advice and who make you feel part of the Rotman community.”
3. Explore diverse career paths through MBA student activities
Your MBA is the perfect time to step outside your comfort zone, explore new industries, and consider your career goals.
For many students, industry-specific clubs are a chance to step into different industries and get a feel for what it’s like to work in them.
Through events and workshops, students get a firsthand look at industry trends and challenges.
At a recent venture capital panel hosted by the Rotman Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Association (REVCA) in partnership with Deloitte, more than 100 students heard from members of the venture capital community about their experiences in the world of venture capital and entrepreneurship.
For Renice, the value of these interactions goes beyond technical knowledge.
“Student engagement activities are a core part of the MBA experience. They’re a safe space for students to gain exposure to new industries and functions—they’re opportunities for them to grow on a personal and professional level.”
But just as importantly, these experiences offer a way to test ideas and deepen their practical understanding of organizational dynamics. For Aaron, working with students from diverse professional backgrounds in student clubs has been eye-opening.
“You need to be fluid and adaptable to different industries and contexts. Coming from a tech and marketing background, talking to people in finance or management consulting has taught me that,” he says.
“Clubs really enhance the vibrancy of the Rotman community. Students are often amazed at the activities they get to participate in and the opportunities their peers create for them as well,” Renice concludes.