The job market is thriving in British Columbia and Canada. In BC alone, there are expected to be 861,000 new job openings between now and 2029, many of which will require some form of post-secondary education and/or training.
As of August 2021, Canada’s employment rate is also higher than the employment rate in the United States. According to Statistics Canada, the employment rate in Canada is 61% and 58.5% in the United States.
These numbers show how booming the job market and rewarding the opportunities are in BC and Canada.
University Canada West follows professional trends in business and industry, developing curricula and elective areas that reflect the best professional standards in various fields.
Our MBA program features eight elective areas in flourishing industries: Business Analytics, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, Marketing and Digital Marketing, Human Resources, Leadership and Non-Profit.
These business-oriented elective areas hone in on high-demand fields and opportunities, helping our students build the skills and knowledge they need to pursue prosperous careers.
Many of the job opportunities that arise as a result of our elective areas are High Opportunity Occupations. High Opportunity Occupations, as defined by WorkBC, are jobs “that are expected to experience higher demand and offer higher pay compared to other occupations.”
Below, we’ll explore each elective area and its career opportunities in depth.
Business Analytics
The Business Analytics elective area is ideal for aspiring professionals who want to hold a managerial role in the technology sector. Students who choose this elective area will garner the skills and expertise required to enter the technology field and bring value to organizations with products powered by AI, cloud technology and other technological developments.
Career opportunities with this elective area include:
- Chief Technology Officer
- Consultant
- Project Manager
- Chief Data Officer
- Application Architect
- Data Analyst
- Statistician
- Data Architect
Business Analysts and these other roles are High Opportunity Occupations. Within the next 10 years, there are expected to be 1,030 new job openings and a 2.8% forecasted average employment growth rate in BC for Business Analysts.
Consulting
The Consulting elective area is for those who want to pursue a career in management consulting.
Career opportunities with this elective area include:
- Independent Consultant
- Managing Director
- Director
- Principal/Senior Manager
- Senior Associate/Senior Consultant
- Associate/Consultant
- Project Manager
- Analyst
Professional Consultants in the business management field and other similar roles are High Opportunity Occupations. Over the next 10 years, there are expected to be 4,260 new job openings and a 2.5% forecasted average employment growth rate for Professional Consultants in BC.
Entrepreneurship
The Entrepreneurship elective area supports students interested in starting their own business after graduation. Upon completion of the MBA program with this elective area, students will understand the ins and outs of the startup environment and the process of creating and managing their own business venture – from idea to product.
Career opportunities with this elective area include:
- Start a Business
- Acquire a Business
- Manage a Startup
- Innovation Manager
- Regional (Area) Manager
In 2019, there were a total of 532,500 businesses in BC, and of these businesses, 523,800 or 98%, were small businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
Moreover, BC is the number one startup ecosystem in Canada and top 15 globally. The tech industry is also one of the fastest-growing sectors in BC, with over 10,000 tech companies and jobs paying 75% higher than the BC average.
The growth and success of small businesses and startups is a rewarding opportunity for those looking for a challenge.
Financial Management
The Financial Management elective area is perfect for students interested in a career in finance. Throughout the MBA program, students will explore topics like investment analysis and management, securities market, investment portfolios, green finance and more.
Career opportunities with this elective area include:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Treasurer
- Vice President of Finance
- Finance Director
- Procurement Director
- Purchasing Manager
- Risk Manager
- Financial Analyst
Financial Managers and Analysts and any one of these roles are High Opportunity Occupations. Over the next 10 years, there are expected to be 4,220 new job openings and a 1.8% forecasted average employment growth rate for Financial Managers and Analysts in BC.
Marketing and Digital Marketing
The Marketing and Digital Marketing elective area is ideal for students interested in pursuing a marketing management role. The MBA program equips students with the skills required to enter a marketing position and immediately bring value to an organization’s products/services through proven strategies and tactics.
Students who pursue any one of the Digital Marketing courses offered at UCW will automatically be qualified to register for their Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) designation from the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) upon successful completion.
Career opportunities with this elective area include:
- Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
- Vice President of Marketing
- Marketing Consultant
- Director of Marketing
- Social Media Manager
- Product Marketing Manager
- Brand Manager
- Marketing Analyst
Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations Managers and any one of these roles are High Opportunity Occupations. Between now and 2029, there are expected to be 2,880 new job openings and a 2.2% forecasted average employment growth rate for Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations Managers in BC.
Human Resources
The Human Resources elective area provides those interested in pursuing a career in human resources with the background, skills and understanding to excel in this field. Students who complete three Human Resources elective courses will be aligned to achieve their Canadian Professional Human Resources (CPHR) designation through CPHR British Columbia and Yukon.
Career opportunities with this elective area include:
- Chief Human Resources Officer/Chief People Officer
- Chief Talent Officer
- VP of Human Resources
- VP of Talent Management
- HR Director
- HR Manager
- HRIS Manager
- HR Generalist
Human Resources Professionals, Managers and these other roles are High Opportunity Occupations. For those pursuing a career in HR, there are expected to be 5,130 new job openings and a 3.8% forecasted average employment growth rate over the next 10 years in BC.
Leadership
The Leadership elective area equips current and aspiring managers with the right skills to succeed in a complex and competitive world. By the end of the MBA program, students will be ready to step up and be the kind of leader corporations need to successfully compete in a global market.
Career opportunities with this elective area include:
- C-Level Executive
- Director
- Public Health Administrator
- Administration Manager
- Management Analyst
- Finance Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Sales Manager
- Operations Manager
Managers, Senior Managers and Directors in the business industry are High Opportunity Occupations. From 2021 until 2029, there are expected to be over 4,340 new job openings and over a 2.9% forecasted average employment growth rate for Managers, Senior Managers and Directors in BC.
Non-Profit
The Non-Profit elective area prepares individuals interested in the non-profit sector with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to explore the various aspects of management in this sector.
This elective area provides a stimulating and supportive platform for examining pressing issues facing current and future non-profit leaders. Through case studies, exercises and projects, students will strengthen their leadership and management skills specifically for the non-profit sector.
Career opportunities with this elective area include:
- Chief Operations Officer
- Chief Association Executive
- Executive Director of a Non-Profit Organization
- Program Director
- Public Relations Manager
- Special Events Manager
- Grant Proposal Manager
- Development Associate
- Grant/Contracts Specialist
In BC, non-profit organizations are significant employers and contributors to the economy. As of 2020, there were over 26,000 non-profit organizations in BC. Overall, BC’s non-profit sector generates $6.4 billion in GDP, which is greater than the combined GDP of agriculture, forestry and fishing in the province combined.
Needless to say, the eight elective areas in UCW’s MBA program help students hone specialized skills to pursue opportunities in their chosen field after graduation.
To learn more about UCW’s MBA program and elective areas, visit ucanwest.ca/graduate-programs/master-of-business-administration.
Last updated January 10, 2023.
