“Striving to do better” together
Warner says it’s hard to describe, but he had a good feeling about Waterloo from the beginning. Being on campus, talking with professors, and meeting future and upper-year students during his first visit — all of it “lit something underneath me. It made me feel excited to be here.”
In the School of Accounting and Finance, he’s found a community of peers with “similar passions and things that motivate us to want to keep striving to do better.”
Warner says when you grow up on a farm, teamwork comes naturally. He’s found lots of opportunities on campus to channel and grow those collaborative skills — and even take on leadership roles.
In first year, he joined the University of Waterloo Accounting Conference (UWAC). Members of the club are responsible for planning and coordinating UWAC each year.
“I come from Port Perry, two hours north east of Waterloo. No one from my high school went to Waterloo, so I came here not knowing anyone. I was fortunate to be selected for UWAC. They pair you up with a mentor, an upper-year student, who coaches and guides you along.”
Connecting with peers through UWAC and the Accounting Living-Learning Community gave Warner “a sense of family.” In both instances, he paid it back in second year as a mentor, helping first-year students build confidence, connections and community, just like he did.
Getting your hands dirty
Looking to the future, Warner says, “The end goal is to achieve my CPA designation. The route I’m on right now in AFM provides you with one of the fastest and most supported routes.”
A big reason for that is the co-op program at Waterloo, which sets students up for success immediately after graduation. “You’re not just going in as a summer intern. You’re thrown right into busy season from January to April. You’re getting that full experience.”
On co-op terms working as a staff accountant for Ernst & Young, he’s been able to “get insight into a whole bunch of industries and working with different people.”
“You’re able to collaborate shoulder-to-shoulder with your team. You work closely with one or two individuals for anywhere from two to four weeks. You’re really able to develop a relationship with senior team members — you get to see the pathway they took and their career aspirations.”
Next-level networking
The ability to make connections with senior colleagues and mentors, both on the job and through the School of Accounting and Finance alumni network, has the potential to be a career game-changer. Warner says it’s one of the biggest advantages to studying at Waterloo.
“The alumni connection is crazy. You have individuals who are working at any firm you can think of. So, if you’re interested in going to an office in the UK, you can talk to a graduate from your Waterloo program who’s been there.”
The network that Warner is building through his studies all connects back to one important thing he’s learned at Waterloo: the importance of relationships, both personal and professional.
“By forging strong bonds, your experience in completing whatever is ahead of you will be more enjoyable because you’re doing it together.”
Discover what to expect during your first year in SAF
Warner shares his experience with meeting new people, getting involved in the community, and the differences between high school and university.
