Alex Zamora, BBA Candidate 2017
It’s crazy how quickly time flies – one moment, you’re wandering around Schulich for the first time at your enrolment appointment, and the next, you find yourself studying for your last undergrad exam EVER.
These last four years have been an amazing journey, and this is my take on how to make the most of your student experience:
Coming into university, I had the preconceived notion that I had to know exactly what I was going to do when I graduated. I quickly realized that I knew nothing about what business truly was in first year. I was happy that I had time to get acquainted with the different specializations before I had to choose. Keeping an open mind was important to me; it allowed me to explore all of the topics I could be passionate about in business, without closing off any options.
I feel like this is the most cliché piece of advice, but I truly stand by it. By getting involved in things that you are passionate about, you are able to develop skills that you don’t necessarily learn in the classroom. You can then use these to land internships & full-time positions. In interviews, I consistently talk about my experiences in different clubs, the challenges I encountered, and how I overcame them. But for me, the most rewarding thing about getting involved is that it connects you with other students who can end up becoming your best friends in university.
There is no doubt that university is a lot of work. From balancing academics, extra-curriculars, part-time jobs and a social life, there are a lot of things to stay on top of. I stand firmly in the belief that you get out of life exactly what you put in. So if you want to land an amazing internship, organize a really cool event, run a student club, or start your own business venture, you have to be willing to put in all of the work that goes behind this. Nothing is handed out to you.
The reason why I love this community so much is because of the support you receive from the minute you step in the doors. From first year, I have had amazing mentors (both formal & informal), who have helped me become the person I am today. Starting in my second year, I set out to give back to the community that gave me so much. From mentorship to student clubs, I wanted to make sure that every incoming class felt supported and welcomed into the Schulich community.
Every student’s experience is different; no two stories are alike. I encourage you to ask around, and find out how others are making the most of their experience. Learn their strategies so you can maximize these next four years– because trust me, it goes by way too quickly.
Even though I’m graduating, I know that Schulich will always have a piece of my heart.
To everyone I’ve met, thank-you for making these last four years unforgettable, and for making me the person I am today.
See you around,
Alex
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