Where are you from? What high school did you attend?
I am from Sarnia, Ontario. I was born in India and moved to Canada in 2015. I went to Northern Collegiate Institute and Vocational School for high school.
What was your Program of Student for Years 1 and 2?
I studied in the Queen' University Health Sciences program for my first two years.
List your Extra-curricular involvement in the first two years of university.
First Year:
- Animal shelter volunteer
- Intramural sports
- Business development work for a local business in Sarnia
Second Year:
- Member of Business and Logistics team at Queen's Hyperloop
- Intramural sports
- Queen's Health Sciences journal contributor
Why did you choose Ivey’s HBA program?
I chose Ivey becuase it gave me a structured way to pivot into business. In Health Sciences at Queen's, I had the chance to explore a potential career in that field. Over time, I realized I was also very interested in business and wanted to move into that environment. Ivey's model lets you build a foundation in another area in Years 1 and 2, then fully immerse yourself in business in Years 3 and 4. That flexibility and the chance the make a thoughtful switch is what drew me to the HBA program.
Describe one highlight of your Ivey Experience thus far.
One of my biggest highlights has been my learning team. On the first day of HBA1, you are placed in a group of six and you stay with that team for the whole semester. Instead of working with random groups for one assignment and never seeing them again, you go through everything together, from small cases to intense projects like 48 hour reports. You see each other under pressure, learn how to support one another, and grow much closer. For me, that group became a real friend circle, and we still keep in touch and meet up to this day.
What advice do you have for incoming HBA students?
Be very intentional with your time. At the start of the semester, set up a structured calendar that includes time for case preparation, recruiting, and time for yourself. It is easy to let one of those take over, but all three matter. If you plan your days so you work hard during your focused hours, you can enjoy your free time fully. Ivey is a very autonomous environment where you have a lot of freedom to shape your path. Using a calendar and simple routines helps you make the most of that freedom instead of letting the semester run you.
How has Ivey’s Career Management team set you up for success?
When I first came to Ivey, I did not even have a proper business resume. I booked multiple appointments with the Career Management team and they walked me through it line by line. They were patient, clear, and helped me understand what employers look for and how to present my story. Beyond one on one meetings, they also make sure you know about the workshops, resources, and job postings available to you. I always felt like there was a support system I could go to for the next step in recruiting.
What kind of support did you find the mcost helpful with the intense curriculum in HBA1?
One of the most helpful supports in HBA1 was my OWL team. On the first day, along with your learning team, you are assigned two OWLs, or Orientation Week Leaders. They are upper year students who become your main point of contact for questions about courses, recruiting, and Ivey life. They do not just disappear after orientation week. They kept in touch throughout the year, shared resources they had used for recruiting, helped us think about networking, and even gave us exam and study strategies. Having guidance from people who had just been through the same experience made the intensity feel much more manageable.
What has been the most challenging part of the program for you and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part for me was recruiting. Many classmates came into Ivey with business experience from their first two years, and I did not feel like I had that same background. It was intimidating to start from behind. I focused on networking and asking for guidance from my OWLs, peers, and alumni. I tried to learn how to tell my story clearly and connect my past experiences to business roles. I started with a smaller part time internship in the winter of HBA1, then used that experience to move into stronger opportunities. Taking it step by step helped me build confidence.
How has Ivey helped you become a leader and make an impact on the world around you?
Ivey has helped me become a more confident and thoughtful leader. The case method and constant class discussion have made me a stronger speaker and more comfortable sharing a point of view. At the same time, recruiting and the ups and downs that come with it have given me humility. I now see leadership as helping a team get the best possible result by understanding people's strengths and weaknesses and being empathetic. The learning team environment really builds this. Now, whenever I join a new team, I naturally start paying attention to what each person brings and how we can succeed together.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to continue down a path that combines business and impact. I am interested in entrepreneurship, whether that is starting something from scratch or pursuing entrerpreneurship through acquisition. I also plan to pursue law school, as I am drawn to the way law and business connect in areas like transactions, strategy, and problem solving. My goal is to build a career where I can think deeply about decisions, work closely with people, and take on responsibility over time.
