COMMERCE Major Map
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE
Get the
Courses
You Need
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
Final Year
First year of Commerce will
cover many of the
fundamentals of business,
introducing the different areas
of business, such as
management, accounting, and
marketing.
Second year continues to
cover the fundamentals of
business, such as finance and
human resource management,
and expands on the courses
from first year.
Take electives and specialize
in a field of interest if desired.
Take COMM 341, 12-18 units
of COMM electives, and 9-15
units of Arts & Science
electives
Take electives of interest.
Take COMM 401, 12-18 units
of COMM electives, and 9-15
units of Arts & Science
electives.
Take COMM 104, 121, 122,
132, 163, 172, 173, 181, 190.
Take 6 units of Arts &
Science electives.
Students on exchange will
have access to a wider range
of courses: one semester of
credits will transfer back.
Look into summer jobs and
internships by talking to the
Business Career Centre.
Participate in Career Launch
and recruiting for summer
internship opportunities.
Network with alumni and
recruiters through coffee chats
and networking events.
Look into entrepreneurial
opportunities such as Queen’s
Summer Innovation Institute
and the Summer Company
program.
Apply for Teaching Assistant
and Research Assistant
positions before the start of
the term.
Attend Career Launch and
recruiting for full-time jobs
for after graduation. Talk to
the Business Career Centre
(BCC).
Take core courses COMM
103, 105, 111, 112, 131, 151,
153, 161, 162, ECON 110.
Get
Relevant
Experience
Join teams or clubs on campus
such as the Queen’s
Commerce Trading
Competition (QCTC), and the
Queen’s Conference on the
Business Environment Today.
Be a frosh rep on a ComSoc
committee.
Apply to graduate on SOLUS.
1st Year
Participate in case
competitions such as DECA
Queen’s and the
Queen’s Commerce Corporate
Competition (Q3C).
Volunteer on or off-campus
Get
Connected with different community
organizations such as
with Your
Community Commerce Kids, Enactus
Queen’s, the Kingston
Economic Development
Society, and the Queen’s NonProfit Gateway,
Enroll in the Certificate in
Responsible Leadership
Program.
Get
Thinking
Globally
Get Ready
Queen’s University
International Centre will be
your first stop to
internationalizing your degree.
Speak to a QUIC advisor or
get involved in their many
programs, events and training
opportunities.
2nd Year
3rd Year
Take more responsibility
within different clubs or
extracurriculars.
Get involved with
organizations like CREO
Solutions and the Queen’s
Business Review.
Get involved with ComSoc
organizations such as the
Queen’s Accounting
Association, Queen’s
Consulting Association, and
the Queen’s Marketing
Association Conference.
Go to events run by groups
like All Year Social and
Inclusion and Diversity
Committee.
Is an exchange in your future?
Start thinking about where
you would like to study
abroad. Attend cultural night
and the info sessions and
you’ll be guided through the
process.
Attend conferences like the
Queen’s Conference on
International Business.
Look into studying at the
Herstmonceux castle or an
internship at The Washington
Center.
Grappling with program
Read books in the Career
Final Year
Do targeted networking with
people working in careers of
interest (with alumni, using
LinkedIn, etc.).
Sign up for Coffee Chats with
recruiters and alumni through
My Career.
Attend networking events
such as Accounting Week and
Information Sessions &
Workshops.
Participate in the international
exchange program. Apply for
the Cansbridge Asia Summer
Internship Program and work
in Asia over the summer.
Stop by QUIC for ideas to go
abroad, volunteer at QUIC or
attend one of their events.
Learn about the requirements
Consider joining professional
associations like the Canadian
Marketing Association
(CMA), the Certified General
Accountants (CGA), the CFA
Institute, the Chartered
Professional Accountants of
Canada (CPA Canada), and
the Human Resources
Professionals Association
(HRPA).
Prepare yourself to work in a
multi-cultural
environment by taking
QUIC’s Intercultural
Competency Certificate, and
start thinking about work or
further studies abroad.
Network with firms of interest
and ask about international
opportunities.
Applyi to full-time jobs or
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© Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
for Life
After
Graduation
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
Final Year
decisions? – attend various
Career Fairs in the year. Get
some help deciding by visiting
the Business Career Centre.
Services library, such as The
Insiders Best Jobs on Bay
Street and connect with
Commerce alumni on
LinkedIn. Have the Business
Career Centre look over your
resume and cover letter.
for careers of interest– do they
need additional schooling? If
so, prepare to take the
required tests (like the LSAT
or GMAT). Attend Grad
School workshops at Career
Services.
future education, or make
plans for other adventures.
Prepare reference letters if
you’re applying to graduate
school.
Participate in office tours and
open house events for firms of
interest and learn more about
the firms and industries.
Search for internship
opportunities that relate to
your specialization and
enhance skills applicable to
your career.
Visit the Business Career
Centre to enhance job search
and sharpen your interview
skills.
Caution: *This map is meant as a guide to provide suggestions throughout your university career. The activities, resources, and careers mentioned are possibilities – you are not
restricted to them and you don’t have to follow this exact timeline. Every person (including you!) will find their own unique path through their degree at Queen’s and beyond.
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© Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
Where could I go after graduation?
Accounting
Actuarial science
Advertising
Banking
Business development
Business economics
Corporate social responsibility
Entrepreneurship
Financial planning
General management
Hedge funds and mutual funds
Human resources
Industrial relations
Information systems
Insurance
International business
Investment banking
Management consulting
Marketing
Market research
Non-profit organizations
Operations management
Organizational behavior
Private equity
Product management
Public relations
Real estate
Sales
Strategic planning
Wealth management
*some careers may require additional training
COMMERCE at Queen’s
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© Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
Why study Commerce?
From your first day in the Commerce program, you will become immersed in a program that features small class sizes, a team
approach, state-of-the-art technologies, and a focus on personal academic development. The first two years of your program provide
a strong business grounding. In third and fourth year, you can focus on areas of interest such as accounting, finance or marketing, or
you can remain a generalist by choosing courses from various fields of study.
The Commerce experience extends well beyond the classroom. You will enjoy unparalleled extracurricular opportunities, including a
wide range of conferences and competitions, and a tremendous sense of community.
What program options are there?
 Bachelor of Commerce
 Bachelor of Commerce (General)
See the School of Business website for course requirements: business.queensu.ca/bcom
Getting what you need to succeed in the workplace
What do employers want?
In a recent survey from the Canadian Council of Chief Executives the top 6 skills sought by employers were:
1 People skills
2 Communication skills
3 Problem-solving skills
4 Analytical abilities
5 Leadership skills
6 Industry-specific Knowledge
How do I get the skills I need?
It is important to develop a balanced skill set – many of which you will develop during your studies. To stand out from the crowd,
gain experience outside the classroom through the multitude of clubs and activities in and around Queen’s. Check out ideas in the
Get Relevant Experience section of this map.
What can I learn studying Commerce at Queen’s?
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© Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
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Knowledge of financial modelling and performing financial analyses, statistical simulations, and linear programming
Communication and etiquette in a formal business environment
In-depth knowledge of economics and business areas such as accounting, finance and marketing
Leadership – work effectively in a team environment, and build strong teams and effective relationships
Financial and investment management, capital budgeting and wealth planning
Ability to use computer programs and statistical methods to analyze data
Project and operations management
Public speaking and presentation skills
Understanding of corporate social responsibility and business ethics
Critical thinking and quantitative analytical skills – analyze case studies and make recommendations
Business development and strategy
Product design and management
What makes ME special?
You have a unique set of skills and experiences. Take the time to think about the skills you have personally developed at Queen’s.
Explaining your strengths with compelling examples will be important for applications to employers and further education. For
help, check out the Career Services skills workshop.
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© Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
COMMERCE Major Map
How to use this map
• Got
questions about careers and classes?
• Feeling a little lost or overwhelmed by choices?
• Wondering what you are “supposed” to be doing?
Use this map to plan for success in five overlapping areas of career and academic life. Each map helps you explore possibilities, set
goals and track accomplishments. To make your own custom map, use the My Major Map tool.
Don’t stress if you haven’t done all of the suggested activities. The map is not a prescription – it’s a tool for finding your own way at
Queen’s.
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© Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
Support for Student Success
Aspect of Student Health
Personal and Physical Health
Socio-Cultural and Spiritual Health
Career and Professional Health
Academic and Intellectual Health
Emotional and Mental Health
Social and Interpersonal Health
Resources
Athletics and Recreation
Health Counselling and
Disability Services
Aboriginal Student Centre
International Centre
Chaplain
Outreach Counsellor
Cross-Cultural Counsellor
Town-Gown
Career Services
AMS
International Centre
Student Academic Success
Services: Learning
Strategies and the Writing Centre
Academic Advising
Adaptive Technologies
Learning Commons
Health Counselling and
Disability Services
Peer Support Centre
AMS
Rector
Residence Life
Student Experience Office
Queen’s Legal Aid
See queensu.ca/studentaffairs for details
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© Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015
Bachelor of Commerce
Queen’s School of Business
Goodes Hall
143 Union Street
613.533.2301
business.queensu.ca
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© Career Services, Queen’s University, 2014-2015