“Ivey vs Queens Commerce,” I type into my computer as I try and analyze my best option for university. Which program is better? What is the culture like? Am I making the right decision? As I ask myself these questions, I come across a channel hosted by two twins, who happen to go to both programs. These are the infamous Guo Twins.
Salina Guo, one half of the Guo Twins, is currently in her Ivey HBA2 year. According to Salina, her first two years were the “traditional BMOS AEO years,” where she joined many business clubs, like W5, and took them “a little too seriously.” Though, the defining difference between Guo’s AEO years was her social media presence. Guo was able to show potential Western and Ivey students' what life was like as an AEO student, now transitioning to her HBA years.
Unlike many Gen Z and Gen Alphas, being a YouTuber wasn’t Guo’s dream job, and she instead happened to fall into it. As Salina and her sister, Sara, were applying to competitive Canadian undergraduate programs, they found a gap in content compared to USA counterparts. When the twins told their mom about this lack of content, she offhandedly gave them advice on posting their own university application video. After posting their first video and getting a few thousand views, the twins realized how fun this could be -- so why not see where it’ll go?
As time passed, their YouTube career skyrocketed. Currently, the channel has over 1,000 subscribers, with all three of their most popular videos amassing over 10,000 views each. YouTube was able to give the twins opportunities they couldn’t have ever expected. Right now, the channel itself is overseen by a YouTube Community Manager, whose job is to support the twins on all the content they create. Recently, the twins attended a YouTube event at the Google Headquarters in Toronto, meeting with other creators in the area. Also, the twins were able to get sponsored by numerous brands, including the likes of Wealthsimple, Ana Luisa Jewelry and Mejuri. The twins have also made appearances on CBC, CTV and MacCleans Magazine. Suffice to say, YouTube has reaped many benefits for the twins, but the twins are still pursuing careers outside of the platform post-graduation.
This is where Ivey comes in and has become a life changing experience for Salina. She highlighted the Orientation Week she experienced in HBA1, which led to close bonds with her section, an amazing experience with her Ivey orientation week leader (OWL), and a plethora of memories. Guo has many reasons why she loves Ivey, but a highlight that stuck out to me was the alumni network and the connections she's made on her journey.
To start, one of Guo’s sections’ OWL went to Portugal for her exchange in HBA2, which inspired Guo, leading her to the same destination in the spring. Another OWL, this time her Learning Team (LT) OWL, supported her in getting an HBA1 summer internship at Telus, where she worked in the strategy and consulting team. The Ivey Career portal is another huge advantage, which led to a jump in the number of interviews she received compared to her years in BMOS.
Salina will be working at KPMG in the fall as a Management Consultant, but the road to getting that position wasn’t linear. She originally applied for a summer internship in HBA1, but didn’t receive the role. Salina’s advice for recruiting, along with re-recruiting, is there's no shame in applying again or not getting a return offer -- it’ll all work out in the end. The community is supportive at Ivey, helping all the students with the tools needed for success. The alumni connections, along with Ivey Career Management (helping HBA students find a career they love), are some major highlights.
As Salina finishes her years at Western and Ivey, she’s been able to take some time to reflect on the experience. Firstly, if you aren’t 100% sure on business, but still have a curiosity to apply, then apply! Ivey has so many dual degree options to explore your interests, so there’s no harm in applying. Through your AEO years, take the time to explore all your interests, and pursue a dual degree if you are interested. Now is the best time to explore every option and Ivey has a great structure to do just that.
Also, Salina advises that you don’t take it all too seriously. Explore, experience, network … you never know where life will take you. Western and Ivey, along with navigating the transition to adulthood, can be draining. So, don’t let FOMO get the best of you. Recharge and say yes to the next opportunity. More than anything, live your life and your university experience with no regrets. Take that vacation, learn a new skill, develop your hobbies and discover yourself. Have confidence and faith in yourself, and it'll work out in the end.
Life, along with the Guo Twins YouTube channel, will look different in the next few years. Their content is starting to pivot to a focus on lifestyle and corporate Canada as the twins will be working full-time. Still, the lessons Salina has learned through Ivey will stick with her; the connections she made, experiences she's had and what she’s learned about herself will continue to guide her throughout her life. HBA, along with your AEO years, are what you want them to be, and you reap what you sow. So, go explore, create content, learn something new and make some connections!
If you have any questions for Salina, feel free to reach out to her at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salina-guo
Instagram: @salinaguo
Subscribe to Guo Twins: www.youtube.com/@theguotwins