Career Blog
“I became a Telfer student over a year ago. During my first year, my main goal was to meet new people, focus on my studies, etc. In my second year, however, I started getting involved with the Telfer Student Council and various Telfer clubs, and assimilating further the content of my courses. This is what I would call “the Telfer experience”. I think we should all remain open to the various opportunities offered to us.
Initially, I wanted to study Law. However, after participating to the Place à la jeunesse competition and finishing first in the Marketing category with my teammates, it became clear to me that Telfer was the obvious choice.
I deeply envy those who had the chance to live such beautiful experiences during their first year.
It was not the case for me. This is why, as the incoming Vice-president of Marketing at the Telfer Student Council, I wish to make it possible for all students to get engaged right at the beginning of their studies at Telfer. And I intend to achieve this through my upcoming integration ideas. ”
– Samuel Benhamou, incoming Vice-president of Marketing, Telfer Student Council
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“I love Telfer because the concepts we learn in class apply to what we will face in the workplace.
For example, the Business Communication Skills course really helped me honing my public speaking skills. I feel more confident during presentations, which I know will be useful in the future. Another example is the Strategic Management course, more specifically the Intopia simulation, which really showed me what it’s like to run a business. Overall, Telfer has the perfect balance of theory and application, which I feel really prepares us students for the workforce.”
Ifrah Yusuf, 4th-year Accounting Student
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
What is your dream career, and how are you preparing for it right now?
“In terms of my dream career, I’m not looking at any specific role for the moment. However, I am looking into international politics in the future, and also into diplomacy. Before that, I would perhaps do some political‑risk consulting, because the global economy has always been very fascinating to me. With regard to the global economy, I’m also passionate about other cultures and ways of life. I love meeting new people and making connections beyond frontiers. In order to get ready for this career, I’ve put a lot of effort into learning languages and getting to know people around the world, essentially expanding my global network. I am currently fluent in English, French, Hindi, German, Spanish, and Italian. My goal is to speak all of the UN languages; so 3 more to go (Mandarin, Russian, and Arabic). I also want to get experience at Canadian embassies around the world through the co-op program.”
Ayaan Virani, 2nd-year International Management Student
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“Being in Telfer has opened up so many opportunities for me. I discovered a club named Telfer Law Society where I met people who share the same goals as I did. This pushed me to learn, grow, and become the best version of myself. I am grateful for everything I have learned, especially being able to manage a perfect work/school/personal life balance.”
- Sisina Tucciarone
4th Year Marketing Student
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
"My third year has been great so far! It’s more fun, because I get to specialize and learn more about my area, Marketing. The class sizes are smaller now than in first and second years, which means there’s more time to talk to professors.
Also, I recently got a new job at a bank. Everything at Telfer has helped me with this position. I’ve learned to manage my time properly between school, work, family and friends.
Telfer also offers many opportunities to find a job, whether it be an internship or a co-op term. I’ve experienced it myself. It is indeed an academic advisor from Telfer who told me about that summer internship at the bank. I applied, and I got the job!"
- Tareq Farah
3rd Year Marketing Student
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“Who are your biggest inspirations in life?”
"My biggest inspirations in life are my parents. Growing up poor in Pakistan, my parents did not have many of the simple things that a lot of us take for granted. In 2008, I had the opportunity to visit my Mother’s childhood home. Upon arrival, the sight of the kitchen left me in disbelief and shock. You could barely fit two people in there. What was even more shocking to me was the fact that my father’s kitchen was even smaller than that. My father and his family lived an underprivileged life. Fruits were a luxury for him and was something that his family indulged in twice a year. Looking back, I now understand why during my childhood, my dad only ever bought fruits for dessert. He’d spoil me by making me smoothies and bringing cut fruit to my room.
In 1995, my parents took the courageous step of leaving their life in Pakistan behind and starting a new chapter in Canada. I am proud to say that my parents worked so hard to get to where they are now. They are now very proud small business owners in Toronto. However, to this day, my mother determinedly works 10 + hours, 7 days a week. Sometimes this makes me sad, but it’s also comforting and gratifying to know that I have such inspiring and loving parents. I hope one day I will be able to accomplish something remotely close to what they have done and make them as proud as they have made me."
- Mishal Butt
3rd Year Marketing Student, Member of WMN
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“The Capital Markets Program (CMP), also known as Telfer Capital Fund (TCF), gives students the opportunity to gain real-life experiences in financial investment during their school years. Through listening to different speakers that came in to discuss what their jobs are like, I had the opportunity to better understand what working in the field of Capital Markets looks like. I am thankful for my experience with the CMP thus far. I have been on a steep learning curve. I have had the opportunity to not only develop valuation skills but also apply the knowledge acquired to real-life scenarios. I feel like I’ve gotten accelerated through school! I would encourage anyone who is passionate about the capital markets to apply to join the CMP. For those who are still in the discovery phase, I would encourage them to come to workshops hosted by the program to get a feel for what it really is and ask questions.”
- Nourhan Mohamed
3rd Year Finance Student
For those who want more information concerning the Telfer Capital Markets Program (CMP), contact Tarek Kassem, Manager of the Financial Research and Learning Lab, at
Don’t miss the information session on the CMP that will take place on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. Register online!
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“For me, choosing Telfer was an easy decision. After attending some of the info sessions offered by the University, I was able to gain valuable information on the CO-OP program. This program will provide me with the opportunity to meet and engage with potential employers, which will be very beneficial, especially when I enter the workforce. This was one of the many reasons that I chose Telfer, and I think it is one of the reasons that you should too.”
- Ryan
First Year Finance Student
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
''When I started first year, I struggled to decide whether Telfer was the right place for me. This year, by getting involved in the Telfer Finance Society, I feel like an integral part of the School. As marketing director, I have had the opportunity to work with an amazing team, expand my network, and gain real-world marketing knowledge. I urge students to get involved: it helped me feel like I truly belong here and now I know that I am where I am supposed to be.''
- Laurelle
Career Centre Ambassador
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“After attending Telfer’s open house and watching a panel of older students talk about their experiences, I was struck by how some students had managed to make so much out of just four years. I made my decision to come to Telfer the second I walked out of that room. However, something I didn’t expect to feel in my first month of university was isolation. Since I come from Ottawa, I didn’t feel the initial pressure to build connections with the people in my program, but since I didn’t force myself to make friends, I found myself feeling alone. It has been difficult, but I’ve made an effort to get out there and talk to people, and I think I’m on my way to finding a good balance. One step I took was applying to the Women in Management Network as a first year representative. I hope that by the end of these next four years I leave Telfer with a better understanding of myself and my abilities. I am aiming to take advantage of as many opportunities as I possibly can in order to make the most of my time here and would recommend anyone in their first year to do the same!”