Where are you from? What high school did you attend?
I am from Mississauga, Ontario. I went to John Fraser Secondary School, where I was enrolled in the AP program.
What was your Program of Student for Years 1 and 2?
I studied BMOS in my first and second year, with a specialization in management and legal studies.
List your Extra-curricular involvement in the first two years of university.
First Year:
- DAN Management Student Association (DMSA)
Second Year:
- Residence Soph (Saugeen-Maitland Hall)
- Peer Tutor (peer-assisted learning)
Why did you choose Ivey’s HBA program?
I chose Ivey’s HBA program because it offered a culture I knew I would thrive in. The case method of teaching really stood out too me because it brought real-world business problems to the classroom. I was very excited by the opportunity to make real business decisions and learn from diverse perspectives through the collaborative nature of Ivey’s classes. This type of experiential learning has helped me grow stronger as a leader, alongside various extracurricular opportunities in clubs and teamwork settings. I knew that the HBA program would give me the challenge, growth and network needed to succeed in my future opportunities, both personally and professionally.
Describe one highlight of your Ivey Experience thus far.
During HBA1, I had the unique opportunity to compete in the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Case Competition at Ivey with a group of my peers. This was my first exposure to consulting, and I really enjoyed the team-drive environment. My group and I worked under a tight deadline to quickly analyze and identify a business’ core problem, to propose a solution that would ensure long-term viability. In this experience, I learned the value in balancing different opinions and leveraging team members’ skills to strengthen our decision-making abilities. It gave me a clear sense of how to perform when stakes are high, and as a result, I built strong relationships with some of my now-closest friends in Ivey.
What advice do you have for incoming HBA students?
It’s important to bet on yourself. More times than not, you can do far beyond what you think. Although I didn’t have AEO status coming out of high school, I still decided to attend Western and re-apply to Ivey because I was so drawn to it. This goal helped me build a disciplined schedule in my first two years at Western, while learning how to simultaneously balance my academic workload with extra-curriculars. This taught me how to allocate my time effectively and do things that I enjoy. I have carried forward this approach in all my endeavours, such as club leadership roles, recruiting, and building strong friendships. If you set your sights on something tall, believe you can achieve it and work as hard as possible to get there. Bet on yourself.
How has Ivey’s Career Management team set you up for success?
Ivey’s career management team is a great resource for helping with recruiting. Embedded into the HBA1 class schedule are these career management experience sessions, where career advisors at Ivey speak on various aspects of the job market. Through these events, I learnt how to draft my resume, prepare for interviews, and build my network to open the door to future opportunities. In addition, the culture at Ivey helped me a ton with recruiting. I was surrounded by almost 700 of my peers also looking for summer jobs or full-time roles. This helped me find answers to my many questions. For example, a few friends and I would help each other prepare for behavioral interview questions, and even share connections at different firms. I think this really speaks to the collaborative culture here at Ivey.
What kind of support did you find the mcost helpful with the intense curriculum in HBA1?
I think the most helpful support I found with the intense HBA1 curriculum was my cohort of peers. Ivey classes are designed to encourage participation and opinion-sharing, which helped build my confidence in speaking in front of others. More importantly, it made people seem more approachable, making it easier to form study groups. Since all HBA1 students are enrolled in the same courses at the same time, studying with my friends was very easy and helpful. This was also one of the main ways I was able to make friends in HBA1. Spending time studying with my classmates helped forge some of my best friendships.
What has been the most challenging part of the program for you and how did you overcome it?
I think the most challenging part of the program was balancing the course workload with extracurriculars. There are tons of Ivey clubs that I wanted to get involved with in, but I quickly found myself pushing too hard to take everything on. To overcome this, I learned to prioritize my tasks based on impact and deadlines, as well as communicating openly with group members or friends when I needed support. Not only did this help me improve my time management skills, but also building a strong support system of my friends. I learned that effective teamwork is about sharing responsibility rather than working the hardest, to ensure the group succeeds as a whole.
How has Ivey helped you become a leader and make an impact on the world around you?
Ivey has helped me grow as a leader by challenging my to step up in real business situations like case competitions, group projects, and club leadership roles. I’ve learned to make decisions and communicate them more confidently, skills which are essential for effective leadership. In the workforce, I anticipate working with diverse groups of people. My collaborative experiences at Ivey have prepared me to lead with empathy and purpose, as well as continue to drive positive change within my teams and contribute meaningfully to initiatives that matter to me.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduating from the HBA program, I’ll be joining the Bank of Montreal as a private wealth associate. I’m incredibly excited to be working with a team that is pushing the forefront of their industry, as well as the opportunity to do impactful work in the financial services industry.
