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Entrepreneurship

Gustavson’s entrepreneurship specialization will help you develop the entrepreneurial mindset.

Entrepreneurship is the creation of new value. This could mean economic, social and environmental value. Entrepreneurs create new value in a variety of for-profit and social contexts.

All students identify and research a new business opportunity. They complete the program in one of 2 self-determined streams:

1. consulting
2. investor ready

Hands-on learning

The best way to become an entrepreneur is through deliberate practice. That is why we designed this specialization with experiential learning opportunities, including an innovation project where you'll start and run a micro-venture. 

Custom skill-building assignments are also built into the course. This allows you to tailor your learning to your specific venture or interests so you get what you need out of the program. 

Possible careers

• business development manager
• entrepreneur
• new product development manager
• small business consultant
• venture capital analyst or investor

Coursework

This is a 5-course specialization taught over 1 immersive term. 

Explore courses in the Academic Calendar.

International business

This specialization is your passport to a career in the global world of commerce. In our increasingly connected world, career success demands globally minded individuals with the skills to work effectively in cross-cultural contexts and across borders. 

Hands-on learning

Gain valuable international experience through:

• an international co-op work term  
• semester-long international exchanges
• short-term study trips abroad

You will engage with Gustavson’s diverse community of students, faculty and staff and interact with people who have direct experience living and working abroad. 

Possible careers

International job opportunities include:

• banking and investment
• consulting
• economics and development, including non-governmental organizations  
• sales and marketing
• trade (import/export)

Coursework

Students in this specialization must take COM 400 alongside their international business module. 

An acceptable international component is either:

• an international exchange term
• an international work term
• IB 418 (not offered every year)
• other significant international experience (connect with a BCom advisor for details).

Explore courses in the Academic Calendar.  

General management

This option gives you ultimate flexibility. You can work in a variety of companies as either a generalist or a specialist, depending on your course selection. With this option, you'll get the business fundamentals to take your career in any direction. 

General management option features

• a solid background in business fundamentals
• the flexibility to focus on a range of career interests through a variety of upper-level business electives in:
  • law
  • operations
  • sustainability
  • Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Professional Education Program prerequisites
• a launch pad into an accounting or finance career
  • if you wish to pursue a CPA or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, the general management option allows for additional accounting and finance courses. When you begin the BCom core year, connect with a BCom advisor to plan these courses early into your course sequence.

Possible careers

• accounting (CPA)
• finance (CFA)
• human resources 
• marketing
• product management
• sustainability programming  

Coursework

Students in the general management option must complete 12.0 units of upper-level commerce electives.

Explore courses in the Academic Calendar.

Service management

Our program builds your skills to lead service-oriented businesses. You'll learn to manage people, processes, the physical environment and technology. Building valuable relationships with customers, employees and partner businesses is at the heart of successful organizations and the service management specialization.

Hands-on learning

You'll work on problems and develop solutions for real businesses. Collecting and analyzing data and developing recommendations based on service management principles, will give you the practical experience you need to manage a service organization. This real-world practice will open your eyes to opportunities where you can deliver “wow” experiences to your customers.  

Possible careers

• customer experience/marketing manager
• financial services professional: accounting, banking, investments
• human resources manager
• project manager
• quality manager  

Coursework

Students in this specialization must take COM 400 alongside their service management module. 

Explore courses in the Academic Calendar.