Career Blog
“My most memorable experience at Telfer has been my decision to switch options, as it allowed me to feel more grounded and confident in my career path”.
For Justin Pereira Mendoza, a 3rd-year Human Resource Management student at Telfer, choosing uOttawa was greatly due to its bilingualism. Growing up in the GTA and being of Ecuadorian origin, Justin wanted to continue perfecting his French as a third language. He also appreciated what Ottawa had to offer: a change from Toronto, yet still a relatively large city to explore.
His happiness at Telfer has been greatly attributed to DECA uOttawa, an undergraduate case cracking club which he began participating in during high school for fun! In high school, Justin considered multiple career paths, including politics. However, it is DECA that made Justin realize that business would be a great career choice for him.
So far, Justin has been loving his time at Telfer. His biggest challenge to date has been switching option in second year. While he had initially enrolled in International Management, Justin knew that another discipline would better suit his strengths: Human Resource Management. Eveith n though this switch came with some risks and potential setbacks, he knew it would be the right choice for him. “My most memorable experience at Telfer has been my decision to switch options, as it allowed me to feel more grounded and confident in my career path”.
What attracts Justin in HRM is the emotional intelligence required, which he prefers to the conventional corporate side of business, as he appreciates the social side. Having worked in customer service, Justin knows how to empathize with others, and he is prepared to continue learning about emotions, various cultures, and people, to be the best human resource professional possible. Since he is also very passionate about social issues such as racial injustice, he finds that a career in HRM would offer the perfect compromise, allowing him to evolve in the business world, while also standing up for people’s rights.
Justin has many goals in mind for the future. He is determined to find an environment in which can speak his three languages and use his HRM skills. He also hopes to work in a management role or the government of Canada in an international setting. He is even considering a career in diplomatic service, perhaps for the United Nations.
Justin is excited for this winter and hopes to continue meeting more Franco-Hispanic students to continue practicing his language skills and feel connected with his roots.
– Justin Pereira Mendoza, 3rd-year Human Resource Management student, Vice-president, Academic, DECA uOttawa
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.
“Since joining the Telfer School of Management, I’ve had an eventful two years. It’s been a time of many accomplishments, setbacks, and yet countless opportunities for growth. While I’ve realized that every situation can be regarded as a learning experience, it’s also become clear that most students found it tough adjusting to the hurdles imposed by the pandemic. This year especially, there’s been a dire need for uOttawa’s support systems.
Back in my first year, I was almost overwhelmed with all the things Telfer had to offer. Clubs, networking events, and case competitions made for an awesome first two terms. Working as a student ambassador, representing Telfer, was also an incredible experience: helping incoming students decide on their postsecondary institution brought me a sense of purpose. Having been there to grant them insight on Telfer’s opportunities and ultimately acquainting them with the path that will lead them towards their personal goals was amazing! But then everything stopped. The 2020 winter term ended abruptly, and suddenly we had much greater worries than our jobs and studies; our health was at risk.
Working full-time as Telfer’s Regional Mentor, I saw first-hand how incoming first-year students dealt with this kind of situation. The need for support and counsel was as important as ever. New students didn’t know what to expect and many felt that they were stuck on their own at home. However, through its various resources, the University of Ottawa has made its commitment to helping students adapt increasingly evident. Thus, our efforts transitioned online, where our continuous support ensured that students were able to find answers to any of their enrolment, academic, or service-related queries. With all this global uncertainty, it was vital that they at least received correct information to help them make further educated decisions about their future.
That is to say: Telfer allowed me not only to help other students, but also to gain valuable work-study experience and to feel like part of a community that cares for the success of its members. I am extremely grateful to have had such opportunities!”
– Lukas Wirz-Endrys, 3rd-year International Management student, Ottawa Regional Mentor Region, and former Telfer Student 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.
“Starting off any new journey can be difficult, especially one as life-changing as your university and professional career. Thankfully for me, Telfer made this experience as welcoming and helpful as possible. I’ve been given the opportunity to dip my toes in various subjects and industries, which helped me figure out the path I wanted to take in life. I’m also surrounded by so many intelligent and motivated students which have helped me sustain my motivation throughout university.”
This week, Humans of Telfer features Michael Dellaire, a 4th-year student leader studying in Finance who has been incredibly involved, leading as VP Sponsorship of the Telfer Finance Society (TFS), creating TFS’s first-ever Bridge to Success Conference aimed at connecting students with employers and building real-life interview skills, and as an editor for the newfound University of Ottawa Business Review. Here’s what he has to say about his experience as he comes to a close on his Telfer journey:
“One of the most difficult decisions you have to make as a high school student is the direction you want to take in life. I had an incredibly difficult time figuring out which path to take. All I knew was that I was great with numbers, and that I loved storytelling (films, novels, etc.). Finally, I decided to study finance since it felt fitting as a “numbers guy”, but I felt like I was letting go of the creative side of my brain. However, in November 2019 I took part in the TFS Toronto Trip and this experience gave me a whole new perspective on finance. While visiting Canaccord Genuity and Burgundy Asset Management, I listened to these investment bankers and equity analysts describe their jobs. This made me realize that high finance was the perfect fit for me. By learning how to read companies’ financials, I could “read” the story behind the numbers which made equity research/valuations far more interesting to me. Once this dawned on me, I became far more motivated in my studies, and I joined the Telfer Finance Society as an executive to learn more about the finance world whilst promoting financial knowledge to our student base.
Due to this experience, I will be starting as an associate working in mergers and acquisitions at Grant Thornton once I graduate and I will be forever indebted to my club for giving me direction in life.”
– Michael Dellaire, 4th-year Finance student, TFS VP Sponsorship, Editor (Finance & Economics), University of Ottawa Business Review (UOBR)
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.
Maybe I made a mistake yesterday, but yesterday’s me is still me. I am who I am today, with all my faults. Tomorrow I might be a tiny bit wiser, and that’s me, too. ─ Kim Namjoon, 2018
Q. What do you like most about Telfer?
A. As a community, Telfer places high importance on inclusivity, encouraging passionate minds, and acting as a support system. The School focuses on helping its students succeed in their fields of interest by creating an environment in which they feel comfortable reaching out for help, even for a professor’s insight about an entrepreneurial idea. In addition, the Telfer Career Centre provides opportunities such as networking events and career mentoring. The feeling of a close‑knit community is what I highly appreciate about Telfer.
Q. What has been your happiest moment while at Telfer?
A. One of the happiest moments in my Telfer journey has been spending time on different floors of Desmarais with my friends and studying in between classes. The schedule in university tends to separate students, therefore finding time to spend together, discussing courses, solving questions, or just catching up about the day, was always something I looked forward to.
Q. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
A. Considering the circumstances of the past year, the biggest challenge has been staying motivated while adapting to a virtual learning environment. Although online classes offer flexibility, comfort, and reduced travel time, there is a distinct feeling of isolation associated with the pandemic. Being online, I suffered from a lack of social interaction. Normally, we would be interacting with others through group projects/study sessions, clubs, and campus life, but being online, that has all gone away. However, as the situation slowly improves, I am looking forward to coming back to campus and enjoying the rest of my undergraduate experience.
– Haaruni Venkatesh Babu, 3rd-year Human Resource Management student, Vice-president, External Affairs, Telfer Human Resources Association, Vice-president, Marketing, Business Healthcare Society, and crewmember, Unit One Kpop Dance Crew
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.
“Studying at Telfer has also taught me valuable life lessons, some that humbled me, some that inspired me, and some that helped me overcome my vulnerability.”
Today, we write a new Humans of Telfer story about Farhan Ahmed. A student leader here at Telfer, Farhan has contributed to many different student clubs and initiatives, picking up many great tips along the way. Here is what he had to share with us:
“I firmly believe that the person who is graduating in 2022 is not the same as the one who started his undergraduate education in 2017. As I approach my final term at the Telfer School of Management, I have had numerous opportunities to reflect on the past 5 years. From a naive eighteen-year-old first-year student to a twenty-two-year-old ready to take on the professional world, the growth has been incredible. It didn’t take me long to realize that business school was indeed the optimal fit for my aptitudes and career aspirations. I feel fortunate to have attended the Telfer School of Management, as its programs/resources have helped me navigate these critical years of my life. Studying at Telfer has also taught me valuable life lessons, some that humbled me, some that inspired me, and some that helped me overcome my vulnerability.
I believe a rich university experience comes from immersing yourself within your academic community. I encourage everyone to get involved – join student clubs, take part in case competitions and explore every opportunity that Telfer has to offer. Thanks to these experiences, I developed a passion for consulting and was exposed to leading firms in the space through my network. Most importantly, my heavy extracurricular involvement allowed me to build friendships that will last me a lifetime.”
– Farhan Ahmed, 5th‑year student (Accounting and Finance; CO-OP), PMCP mentor, Former 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.
Q: How has getting involved on campus enhanced your experience at Telfer?
A: “Honestly, I wish I had done this earlier! I had met so many people and made so many valuable connections. I have built trust and relationships with the club members. I was able to apply everything I have learned in my courses directly to my positions at Telfer clubs which enhanced my learning experience.”
Q: Why did you choose to study at Telfer?
A: “I saw the CO-OP program and the number of student clubs. The CO-OP program is amazing, especially for finance students. Although it is competitive, there are so many opportunities. I know so many people who have gone to Telfer and have told me about their experiences. The resources. There are so many, such as the Telfer Career Centre and the Academic Writing Centre. Everything that everyone told me about Telfer is true and I feel so happy with my choice.”
Q: If you could describe Telfer in one word, what would it be?
A: “Valuable. Because everything at Telfer is so valuable. The people, the courses, the programs. Everything at Telfer adds to your student experience. Over these past three years I have grown so much because of everything offered in Telfer.”
– Natalie Abo Setta, 3rd-year Finance student, Vice-President Marketing, Telfer International, Marketing Generalist, Telfer Human Resources Association
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.
“Studying almost entirely in French as an Anglophone and adjusting to a primarily online learning environment has been challenging and often stressful. But that is also what I love most about my program. To succeed, I must expand my comfort zone constantly, which can be scary. Despite this, my professors have often gone above and beyond to make me feel supported, even at times where I felt that I was struggling. Diamonds are made under pressure, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I were in any other program.
My biggest inspiration throughout university has been all the wonderful people I’ve met in class and in my extracurriculars. I feel like I’ve been constantly surrounded by so many people who excel in myriad ways and inspire me to put myself out there and be the best version of myself. I never would have thought that I would be so comfortable as a leader in two different student groups but everyone I’ve met has been so encouraging even when I’ve doubted myself.
In the future, I hope to practice either corporate law or insurance claims litigation.”
– Veronica Fusco Hitchlock, 3rd‑year student, BCom and J.D.
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.
Q: Why did you choose Telfer?
A: I chose Telfer over other business schools in Ontario as it is the only one of two that offers bilingual courses. Laurentian University was much further away from home than uOttawa. Given the scale of Ottawa as a job market, CO-OP opportunities are also better and more exciting in the capital. I hope my experience at Telfer continues to be great.
Q: What do you like the most about Telfer?
A: What I like the most about Telfer is the fact that it’s a school at the University of Ottawa, so bilingual courses are available. I really like that this option is available, as I enjoy taking classes in both languages to preserve and sharpen my language skills.
– James Ferguson, 2nd-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.
Q. Why did you choose Telfer?
A. I chose Telfer for its great accounting program and its CO-OP option. The accounting courses help prepare students who are pursuing a CPA designation. This was perfect for me because I would like to achieve this designation in the future. Also, I wanted to gain valuable work experience during university, and the CO-OP program has allowed me to do that. I have completed my first 4-month CO-OP term, and it exceeded all my expectations! My placement gave me a real preview of my future career and confirmed that accounting was the right career path for me.
Q. How did you decide what career you would like?
A. Before deciding to pursue a career in accounting, I wanted to become a teacher. However, that changed in high school when I took my first accounting class. I had always enjoyed math and working with numbers, so I decided to try it out in grade 11. I ended up liking it. I had great teachers in high school who showed me what a career in accounting could look like and taught me about the CPA designation. That really helped me make my initial decision to pursue a career in accounting.
Q. What is your favourite Telfer memory?
A. Last fall, I had the opportunity to perform in the CASCO virtual gala as a dancer. It was a very fun and rewarding experience to do something that I love while helping raise money for the kids at CHEO. Participating in the CASCO gala has surely been one of the highlights of my time at Telfer so far.
– Mary Warren
4th-year Accounting student and dancer, CASCO Gala
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.
Meredith Silverman is a 4th-year accounting student at Telfer as well as a returning Career Centre Ambassador. In her Humans of Telfer interview, she shares her experiences as both an Ambassador and a CO-OP student.
Q. What is your favourite Telfer memory?
A. My favourite Telfer memory have been working as a Career Centre Ambassador. I enjoy writing various career blogs because I learn something new every time while helping students with their own career journey. The Humans of Telferseries also remains a highlight each term, as I love hearing different experiences from every Telfer student I interview.
Q. Why did you decide to participate in CO-OP and how has it impacted your academic goals/career goals?
A. I decided to participate in the CO-OP program because it is a great way to get relevant work experience. Regardless of your specialty at Telfer or at any other faculty, the best way to learn is by putting theory into practice. I highly recommend this option to every student. The program has allowed me to land multiple positions at a public accounting firm in both tax and assurance, which enabled me to apply the foundational accounting theories I have learned through Telfer courses while continuing to expand my knowledge.
Q. What are your plans postgrad?
A. Postgrad, I am looking forward to using all the knowledge that I have acquired during my time at Telfer towards obtaining my CPA designation. Every course at Telfer that I have taken and will be taking in my final year will have contributed to this journey. The CPA designation will allow me to practice as a Chartered Professional Accountant either for a public accounting firm or the government.
– Meredith Silverman
4th-year Accounting student and 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.