Mitacs and Concordia partner to offer the first-ever Business Strategy Internship
Concordia’s John Molson School of Business, in partnership with Mitacs, launched its first-ever Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program for undergraduate and graduate students this fall. The program was structured to allow participants to undertake a strategic analysis of an organization to help them restore or modify operations in a new business environment disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mitacs is a national not-for-profit organization that works with companies, government organizations and universities to support industrial and social innovation in Canada.
Throughout the project, Mitacs provided online professional development opportunities to students. Those selected were awarded $10,000 to undertake a four-month strategic project with a for-profit or not-for-profit Canadian organization, specifically aiming at improving its health following the impacts of the pandemic. The amount awarded to students was collectively funded by Mitacs, $5,000; Concordia, $2,500; and the business, $2,500.
“This partnership fully embraced our commitment to experiential learning,” explains Anne-Marie Croteau, dean of the John Molson School of Business.
“How better to put your skills to the test than actively working on a real case situation? Moreover, it is one of our strategic imperatives that we strengthen our links with the business community. Having our students be instrumental in helping our community regain its footing following the devastation of the pandemic is something we are extremely proud of.”
Ashish Mangla, BSI program participant: “It’s up to everyone to help in the recovery.”
‘Rewarding and eye-opening’
Carl Boutet is chief strategist at Studio Rx, a business that participated in the Mitacs program.
“Having access to the resources and talent that this program provided was a game-changer for me,” Boutet explains.
“My practice was lacking the research rigour offered me by the program, via a bright and dedicated graduate student and his academic supervisor. Business at the speed of COVID requires adaptability and agility with access to that deep knowledge,” he says.
“Our Mitacs student in return is exposed to a real-world, rapidly evolving business dynamic that he is helping us better understand.”
Ashish Mangla, the MBA student who worked alongside Boutet, says he has had a great experience.
“Being able to put into practice what we learn in the classroom is extremely useful. Moreover, being able to support a business that has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic was extremely rewarding and eye-opening,” Mangla notes.
“Everyone has been affected by this experience, and it’s up to everyone to help in the recovery.”
Find out more about the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship at Concordia.
