Madison Padgett: Thriving in 's School of Business
student Madison Padgett knows full well the reason her and her business school colleagues work so hard to attend and compete at business competitions as part of their education.
As Madison works towards her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a specialization in Marketing and a concentration in Communications, her journey at is nothing short of inspiring.
Madison chose for her post-secondary education because it stood out as one of the highest-rated business schools in Western Canada. Her decision has proven to be more than worthwhile.
"The relationships you can build with your professors here are amazing," she says. "It's much more one-on-one than what I've heard from other university students getting their education elsewhere."
One of the most impactful aspects of Madison's time at has been her participation in competitions. She attended the prestigious Inter-Collegiate Business Competition (ICBC) at Queen's University, a highlight that significantly enriched her educational experience.
"Going to Queen’s University and competing with the school drastically changed my experience for the better," Madison shares. "It is a ton of fun, you learn a lot, and it helps create a unique college experience that not a lot of people get to do."
Attending competitions is a key part of the School of Business, allowing students to work on business ideas to solve real-world issues.
School of Business students have participated in a wide variety of competitions, some of the larger notable competitions from the last few years include:
- hosted by Queen's University
- hosted by Vanier College
- hosted by Royal Roads University
- hosted by the CFA Institute
- Western Canadian Business Competition, last hosted by Douglas College
- hosted by CPHR, last held at Camosun College and next at the University of Alberta
- hosted by CPA BC
“Attending business competitions is something that really provides a unique educational opportunity for our students and to see the success our students have, really shows how we are preparing our students for success in the real world,” says Joe Baker, Dean, School of Business. “We’re proud of our students, our faculty and coaches in this incredible experience."
Beyond competitions, offers a range of clubs that provide students with opportunities to engage and grow. Some of the active clubs include:
To celebrate student success, the School of Business has unveiled a Clubs and Competition Teams Wall, which features a growing number of photos of students who have participated in these clubs and competitions over the past few years. The photos on the wall not only showcase the teams that have competed but also the professors, staff and volunteers who support these clubs that help to enhance the student experience at .
For prospective students considering , Madison offers valuable advice.
"You can get a piece of paper with your name and degree on it at any school," she says. "You pick to work with current industry professionals and network. You won't get the kind of mentorship you get from the professors from anywhere else."
Business students who are interested in getting involved on campus and gaining more applied skills should contact these clubs to learn more about how to enhance your experience or to take part in the various competitions that happen throughout the year.
Tags: Business, Okanagan School of Business, School of Business at , Okanagan School of Business at , Competitions
