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| Coburg Consultants Limited鈥擶esley Furrow, Kert Michaelson, Ryan Wong and Douglas MacLennan鈥攊s a student-run business that changes ownership each year. (Nick Pearce Photo) |
Today鈥檚 employers want experienced workers. So students must find a way to attain relevant work experience while obtaining an education. Some enroll in co-op programs or seek out summer internships to get them on their desired career path. At Dalhousie, four MBA students are going beyond just work experience.
Wesley Furrow, 23, Douglas MacLennan, 24, Kert Michaelson, 29, and Ryan Wong, 23, are the co-owners of Coburg Consultants Limited, a student-operated consulting firm affiliated with Dalhousie鈥檚 School of Business. The firm has existed for more than 25 years and is run by second-year MBA students.
鈥淲e offer a wide range of services depending on our backgrounds,鈥� says Mr. Wong, from Moncton, N.B. Services range from financial analysis and market research to human resource management, project coordination and more.聽
Each January, the outgoing owners begin the selection process for next year鈥檚 owners. Interested students submit proposals and make presentations to attain the business, much like actually buying one. Monsieurs Furrow, MacLennan, Michaelson and Wong were chosen for the 2008/2009 academic year.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a learning experience for us,鈥� says Mr. Wong. 鈥淲e鈥檙e consultants, but we鈥檙e students,鈥� adds Mr. Michaelson, from St. Lazare, Quebec. 鈥淲e鈥檙e MBA students, so you鈥檙e going to get quality work at a reasonable price.鈥�
Coburg is open to any organizations that have the need. 鈥淭here is no set type of organization, we鈥檒l look at anyone out there,鈥� says Mr. MacLennan, a native of Beaver Cove, N.S.
Being partners, the students are equally responsible for the decision-making and workload. 鈥淪omeone may take the lead, but we鈥檙e all equal,鈥� says Mr. Furrow, who hails from Canterbury, N.B. 鈥淗ow much we do is up to us and works with our schedules.鈥�
The guys plan on taking on as much as they can handle. 鈥淲e want to make a name for ourselves, and we know Coburg Consultants will be passed on to other people,鈥� says Mr. MacLennan. 鈥淲e want this business to be great for next years owners and we want this experience on our resumes.鈥�
The four are looking forward to the year ahead and the excitement of owning and operating their own firm. 鈥淲e have the ability to make decisions that you would otherwise not have,鈥� says Mr. Michaelson. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great feeling.鈥�
For Ryan Wong, the opportunity helped him choose Dalhousie. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge marketing tool for Dalhousie,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was looking at the brochure and this was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Dalhousie, to actually be able to run my own company.鈥�
Throughout the fall semester, the partners will educate new MBA students about Coburg and its operations. In January they鈥檒l hold a meeting for those interested in owning it and will accept proposals before deciding on who鈥檒l succeed them in March. Ownership is transferred every April.
For MBA students wondering if the experience is worth the work, Mr. Furrow has only one thing to say: 鈥淎bsolutely.鈥�
Coburg Consultants is located in Suite 5083 at the Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building at 6100 University Avenue. They can be reached at (902) 429-6555.