Where are you from? What high school did you attend?
I’m from Toronto and I attended the University of Toronto Schools.
What was your Program of Student for Years 1 and 2?
Bachelor of Medical Sciences.
List your Extra-curricular involvement in the first two years of university.
First Year:
- DECA Western (now ACE Western) Director of Events
- Science Students’ Council Events Committee Member
- Western Ismaili Students Association Health and Wellness Representative
- Ivey Business Review Research Analyst
Second Year:
- Residence Orientation Leader (Soph)
- Global Research and Consulting Group Consulting Analyst and Project Lead
- Western Ismaili Students Association Vice President of Communications
- Ivey Business Review Research Analyst
Why did you choose Ivey’s HBA program?
In high school, I knew I wanted to have an interdisciplinary degree that encompassed my interests in science and business, and the Dual Degree offered at Western and Ivey was the ideal opportunity for this. With my passion for making a difference in healthcare, I’ve learned that the intricacies and changing needs of the industry required having strong communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills, and Ivey was the perfect place to equip me with these skills through their case method teaching style and variety of extracurricular opportunities.
Describe one highlight of your Ivey Experience thus far.
The highlight of my Ivey Experience has definitely been having a section! Having a core group of people to have classes and events with during HBA1 really helped with my transition to Ivey, and allowed me to build strong relationships with many of my classmates that have now become great friends.
What advice do you have for incoming HBA students?
My one piece of advice for incoming HBA students is to say yes to new opportunities! The HBA program has so much to offer, whether it be the courses, clubs or events, and while it can be hard to step out of your comfort zone, taking on these new opportunities is so important to gain new skills and experiences. It can also surprise you, and help you dive into a new passion!
How has Ivey’s Career Management team set you up for success?
Ivey’s Career Management team has been super helpful in creating a strong foundation for my recruiting journey, through resume and cover letter review, interview prep, and just being there for advice and support when I have questions. In particular, the various resources available through Career Management was integral to me exploring traditional and non-traditional business careers, especially coming from a science background.
What kind of support did you find the most helpful with the intense curriculum in HBA1?
Having a strong section culture, led by our section executive team, was important for my success with the intense HBA1 curriculum. By hosting course review sessions and encouraging a culture of collaboration, students were able to work together and teach each other so that we could all achieve success.
What has been the most challenging part of the program for you and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part of the HBA program was balancing academics, recruiting and a social/personal life. The HBA program is rigorous and busy, and in between these varying priorities, it can often get chaotic and difficult to take care of one’s own wellness. To overcome this, I made sure to schedule my time effectively through calendar tools, build a strong support system around me, and engage in personal activities that would allow me to relax amidst busy times.
How has Ivey helped you become a leader and make an impact on the world around you?
Ivey has taught me how to be an adaptable and creative leader, and to understand situations from multiple perspectives and lead with a holistic mindset. Furthermore, since the case method uses real life scenarios faced by real life companies, it has taught me how to navigate complex problems using what I’ve learned in and out of the classroom. Finally, through Ivey’s various experiential opportunities – whether it be club conferences or an internship – I’ve learned how I can use my skills and experiences to make an important, positive impact on the communities around me.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation, I’m planning on working in strategy and consulting to be able to solve real-world problems through my career! I’m also hoping to integrate my healthcare and science background in my career down the line, such as through healthcare consulting or administration.
