Future students

Centered around IBM’s technology, our task was to determine the best course of action for a medium-sized bank looking to expand its operations nationally. With four hours to pull the deliverables together, we as a team were able to identify and play to the strengths of each individual. Our team was able to leverage a diverse set of backgrounds, as we’ve all completed a variety of co-op placements including private equity, accounting, management consulting and tech.

For those who are interested in business strategy and technology, the IBM Technology Consulting Competition is second to none. I had the opportunity to combine two of my passions and develop a creative solution all while meeting industry leaders and like-minded individuals.

Back in my first-year, I shied away from case competitions because I wasn’t confident thinking on my feet—but as one of my mentors advised me, competitions are a great way to learn about a new business field and get out of my comfort zone. As you gain more experience from your co-op terms and courses, you are already prepped with all the technical knowledge you need to succeed.

The IBM Technology Consulting Competition was a perfect example of how being in SAF allowed me to explore an exciting and unique experience. The competition is the largest tech-focused and student-run case competition in Canada, and in the past, over 400 participants from schools across North America competed.

I strongly suggest you take part in any competition like the CFA Ethics Competition. I feel I was able to learn more about CFA Ethics in this competitive environment, than I would have through a course or project. I learned how ethics can be implemented in all types of situations—even in my daily life.

In order to be ready to take on new challenges and opportunities I must develop myself as a professional. This means stepping out of my comfort zone, building and maintaining a strong support system and sharpening my technical and durable skills. Stepping out of my comfort zone began when I was deciding which university to attend.

It can be a daunting task to go up and talk to strangers. In the field of Accounting and Finance we are put in situations where we are constantly talking to employers and building our network. In my opinion I enjoy networking because I see it as an opportunity to meet friends and create relationships. My advice for networking is be to try and be unique and have a normal conversation.

I recently had the opportunity to return to DECA, however this time I wasn’t the nervous young girl scanning over performance indicators and stressing about Porter’s five forces – this time, I was on other side.