It was back in grade school when we first learned that triangles are the strongest shape. They owe their strength to their symmetry and the way they distribute pressure across each vertex. Strong, stable, and balanced: the perfect structure.
But no one told us how unstable they could feel when the dynamics shift. In university, the triangle takes on a new meaning, its corners replaced by academics, extracurriculars, and social life — all pulling at our attention from different angles. One week, academics stretch endlessly with late-night cramming and looming deadlines. The next, extracurriculars monopolize with meetings, competitions, and early mornings. And social life? Often squeezed to the sidelines, waiting for the rare weekend reprieve.
For Carter Kan, now an HBA1 student, this shifting triangle became the blueprint for navigating university life. Instead of chasing balance, he leaned into its flexibility, letting priorities shift as needed. The result wasn’t a perfectly proportioned triangle, but something far more important: a way to make the most of two pivotal years before Ivey.
Carter’s journey to Ivey didn’t begin with the golden ticket of AEO status, but in hindsight, that was his personal advantage. Without the safety net of guaranteed admission, he was motivated to push himself in ways that prevented him from becoming “complacent with doing the bare minimum.” Instead, he approached his first year with one guiding question: “What would I be proud to put on my application?” From there, every decision — whether joining a club, taking on leadership roles, or excelling in academics — stemmed from that answer. Irrespective of AEO status, start with a vision of where you want to be and work backwards to make it happen.
As he first began the BMOS route, Carter thought his future might lie in accounting as he was drawn to the problem-solving aspects of working with numbers. But landing a first-year internship at Manulife nudged him toward exploring other pathways in business and pursuing a specialization in consumer behaviour. He found himself wondering, “What were the business decisions that contributed to companies' success?” Joining prominent business clubs on campus became his natural next stop, where he discovered case competitions. The more competitions he entered, the clearer his passion for consulting, strategy, and client-facing roles became.
These competitions not only helped him with career discovery but also gave him “stories to speak about in interviews,” built his personal credibility, and honed his ability to solve real-world problems. They also opened doors to the firms Carter was interested in, enabling him to build a presence. By showcasing his skills and building his confidence, they became a steppingstone toward bigger opportunities.
Landing an internship at TD in his second year was a direct result of that persistence. Although a daunting process, Carter stressed the importance of not getting discouraged if the hunt for a first-year internship doesn’t go your way — “keep your head held high.” The key to standing out was never waiting for opportunities to fall into his lap. Whether it’s entering a case competition, attending club events, networking, or sending that cold email, every effort sharpens the tools in your toolkit. Persistently seek discomfort, because growth often begins outside of your comfort zone.
Carter’s involvement in extracurriculars went far beyond a checkbox for his application, instead treating them as a chance to lead, experiment, and connect with like-minded people. One of his proudest achievements is his work with Viridian Management Consulting (VMC), a student-led consulting organization providing business solutions to companies without the hefty price tag. As someone who knew about VMC even in high school, I’ve long admired its mission of offering accessible, hands-on consulting experience to aspiring consultants like me. When Carter joined as a project manager in his second year, VMC was relatively small, with just 150 Instagram followers and limited engagement. Under his leadership as CEO, the organization has grown into a national platform with over 700 followers and hundreds of applicants vying for consultant positions. Since VMC is not exclusive to Western students, he saw it as a unique opportunity to connect undergrad students across Canada and foster a positive outlook on the industry. Carter shares the sense of fulfillment that comes with getting to spearhead projects that leave a lasting impact on partnering companies and the consultants involved. So, why not take these years to channel your passions into building something bigger than yourself?
Now in Ivey, Carter describes a new kind of triangle: career discovery, social life, and academics. But the support at Ivey makes all the difference. One thing he truly appreciates is Ivey’s sense of due diligence from its alumni, characterized by a strong pay-it-forward culture. Whether it be input on exams, the ins and outs of 2257, or recruitment tips, these connections proved invaluable. Forming these connections has also taught him the importance of being authentic to who you are, because at the end of the day, “you won't get very far trying to put on a persona for others.”
The academic transition to Ivey meant being in a classroom that “induces an environment of problem-solving.” Being exposed to the case method has boosted his confidence, taught him to answer questions effectively, and ultimately prepared him for the recruitment process. To complement academic life, the ability to build connections with the 80 people in his section is something he believes is unique and inherent to the structure of Ivey. Carter advises pre-Ivey students to seek out like-minded individuals: “People who push you to want to do more, people who will hold you accountable for the work you should be doing.”
Reflecting on his pre-Ivey years, Carter points to mindset as a precursor to success. University can feel overwhelming, but how you approach it makes all the difference. A quote that stuck with him — found, amusingly, in a clip of a high school graduation speech — captures this perfectly: “If Super Mario Bros was just about jumping over one pit and rescuing Princess Peach, no one would play it.” The absurdity of it resonated. “The risks, setbacks, and challenges are what make the end goal so much more rewarding,” he says.
The common thread I pull from his experiences is that our triangles aren’t meant to stay static. They bend, shift, and grow stronger with every choice and priority. For Carter, it wasn’t about achieving a perfect balance but about learning to let the triangle work for him. That mindset not only defined his pre-Ivey years but also prepared him for the challenges ahead, proving that the strength of the triangle lies not in its symmetry but in its ability to evolve.