by Tyrone Lingley

Tyrone Lingley is a learner in the Bachelor of Commerce program and a Top Grad of 2009 as selected by some of Vancouver’s savviest marketers.

The panel sat before me.

Five of Vancouver’s brightest marketing minds had their eyes fixed on mine. Equipped with questions that would make even a guru sweat, they began to delve into a place where no school textbook held the answers.

In an environment where marks count and exams amplify this, we as learners often require a protocol. I read the book and take notes; you give me study tips and practice quizzes. This places us in a hamster wheel that often neglects what this panel wanted me to do - think on my feet without the aid of memorization or cue cards.

As the words started to effortlessly roll off my lips, I couldn’t help but realize what Royal Roads University has done for me.

A tight-knit community of learners and faculty has enabled an environment where lines of communication flourish, feedback fortifies relationships and interconnectedness amplifies learning.

As Facebook chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg would say - Royal Roads has “elegantly organized” a community that engages in conversations and, through these conversations, we are preparing for when the time comes to think.

The online component of the Bachelor of Commerce program allows for a free-flow of communication that encourages learners to question, to comment and to share whatever is on their mind with faculty and with each other.

Royal Roads embraces “Word of Mouse” and realizes its place in this digital era. By providing a platform for a community whose members already want to converse with each other, the university has made “breaking the ice” that much easier.

Collective minds work towards a common goal

Working in small, dynamic teams has allowed us a continuous flow of ideas, adaptation and constructive criticism. And that is critical when one considers that great thinking is not only inspired by teachers and guest speakers but also from collective minds working towards a common goal.

It's a concept that does not work in large lecture halls with students who don’t know each other. It happens in a place that encourages community. It happens at Royal Roads.

I have learned more from my fellow students than any textbook or any teacher. This is to be expected. How can one piece of literature or one individual compete with the power of the Internet being leveraged by 100 minds? They can’t. Royal Roads understands the shift that is taking place in the academic world and organizes these conversations amongst learners.

Our university is doing many things right for today’s aspiring minds but now is not the time to rest on our heels. Business moves at the speed of light and if we do not continually measure our progress and adapt in a timely manner, we will lose the edge that Royal Roads has acquired.

It seems to me that the validity of a business degree is on the decline. I should rephrase that. The validity of a business degree that is not highly exclusive, does not create intricate social networks and does not consist of a cutting edge curriculum is on the decline.

We are in an era of micro-specialization with technical schools, boutique learning academies and online institutes catering to specific learning niches. There is little room left for general business degrees.

So - you can discuss cost accounting but can you close a deal with a tailored sales presentation?

You might be able to describe tall and flat organizational structures but can you denigrate the status quo and successfully implement a remarkable idea?

The marketplace for average graduates is well below average.

Let's empower learners like our future depends on it

I have a sneaking suspicion that the best students -- the ones that Royal Roads wants to associate with -- will not settle for being average. Being the best is a position that's available to everyone, and our university will need to act this way in a marketplace where options are growing and attention spans for average is almost non-existent. Royal Roads, in other words, will need to go to the edge and address the concerns of an evolving business world.

I could start by suggesting required readings or course curriculums, new learning platforms or the latest business trends but I know I can’t compete.

No single person can.

Not with a crowd of ambitious, bright, and distinguished learners.

So - I say to Royal Roads - let's empower the learners and communicate with them like our future depends on it – because it does.

Ask them what they need, and more importantly, what they want.

If you do this properly, the university has a good shot at producing the most non-average students around.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead

Tyrone Lingley is a learner in the Bachelor of Commerce program and a Top Grad of 2009 as selected by some of Vancouver’s savviest marketers.