Where are you from? What high school did you attend?
I’m from Richmond Hill, and I went to Bayview Secondary School!
What was your Program of Student for Years 1 and 2?
In first and second year, I was studying Software Engineering.
List your Extra-curricular involvement in the first two years of university.
First Year:
- AEO Onward Blog Writer, worked part-time
Second Year:
- AEO Onward Blog Co-editor, worked part-time
Why did you choose Ivey’s HBA program?
First, the 2+2 structure of Ivey was something that I value a lot. Even though I’ve always had my sights set on business, my passion for engineering and tech was something I didn’t want to let go of. Now, three years into my education, I can confidently say that experiencing both faculties has been invaluable. Beyond that, I love the case-based learning style. I’ve always learned the best by doing, and being able to apply concepts frequently helps me understand them more in an applicable sense. This approach extends past just academics and business – learning the ability to break down problems and analyze different perspectives from a situational perspective and not a conceptual perspective has become second nature.
Describe one highlight of your Ivey Experience thus far.
One of the highlights of my time at Ivey has been the 24 and 48-hour reports for various courses. Before coming in, I had no idea what to expect; I worried about working under such a tight time crunch and whether collaborating with a team would go smoothly. However, I quickly realized that these experiences were much better than I expected. Ideas flow quickly, discussions are dynamic, and the problem-solving process is both intense and rewarding. It’s incredibly satisfying to work efficiently with a team, tackling complex challenges under pressure, and overall these reports have taught me so much in terms of problem solving and thinking approach.
What advice do you have for incoming HBA students?
Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Ivey and Western offer an incredible community and countless opportunities, but making the most of them requires pushing yourself into unfamiliar situations. Curious about an event? Sign up. See someone you want to talk to? Walk up and say hi. The people and experiences here can have a huge impact both socially and for your career, and these moments often become some of your most memorable experiences.
How has Ivey’s Career Management team set you up for success?
Ivey’s Career Management offers sessions on a wide range of career topics, from tackling interview questions to exploring different career paths. These sessions have been quite valuable to me because they discuss key industry dynamics that often go unspoken. As students preparing to enter the workforce, understanding these forces early provides a big advantage. They’ve already helped me broaden my perspective on recruiting, interviews, and the business world as a whole, and I’m excited to continue learning from future sessions.
What kind of support did you find the most helpful with the intense curriculum in HBA1?
Learning teams and sections have been incredibly helpful in navigating the curriculum. Discussing cases and clarifying points of confusion with peers makes a huge difference, and being surrounded by the same group every day creates a comfortable, collaborative environment where sharing ideas comes naturally.
What has been the most challenging part of the program for you and how did you overcome it?
The most challenging part of the program for me has been managing the class schedule. As a night owl, adjusting to 8AM classes every day was a big shift. Waking up early took some time to get used to, but after reorganizing my habits a little, I’ve adapted to the early mornings. Now, I actually see it as a benefit - being done by 1 PM gives me the rest of the day to get work done and still have time to enjoy my evenings.
How has Ivey helped you become a leader and make an impact on the world around you?
Ivey’s teaching method exposes you to a wide range of perspectives and communities, which has been one of the most valuable parts of my experience. Gaining new insights in these areas has strengthened my leadership skills and taught me how to make a meaningful impact on the world in ways that I never considered before. I’ve become much more aware of the effects of my actions and words, and I now approach problems with a deeper level of understanding, a skill that I learned through the many case discussions that happen daily.
What are your plans for after graduation?
To be honest, I’m not 100% sure yet. As of right now, I have a big passion for sales and marketing, but I’m looking to venture into the entrepreneurial space and start my own business as soon as possible. We’ll see how the remainder of this and next year goes, and maybe I’ll be able to answer this question in a much clearer way!
