Accounting & Financial Management at University of Waterloo
Anonymous (Graduated)
What did you wish you knew before going to your university? What made you choose this institution over all others? What are advantages and disadvantages of your institution or campus? List any advice for incoming first-year students about your university.
For a business program specifically - the importance of having a resume ready when applying for clubs during the first week. Moreover, recognizing the importance of extracurriculars as they help with your co-op interviews. I also wish I knew more about financing my education and applying to scholarships early. I choose UW AFM program because it enabled me to get exposed to work experience early through having 4 co-op terms. This allowed me to understand whether or not I liked what I was doing or wanted to try something knew without the risk of committing to full time.
What did you wish you knew before choosing your specific program? What are the advantages and disadvantages of your program? List any advice for incoming first-year students about your program of study.
One mistake I would try to correct is understanding the importance of networking. If I could go back to first year, I would make sure to speak to more upper years and professors. They can teach you a wealth of information that is tried and tested. Moreover, these individuals can become your lifelong mentors that you can confide in.
What was your favourite university experience?
One of my best university experiences would be going to a international festival held by the Town of Kitchener every year where my friends and I would canoe, experience international cuisines, and see incredible performances.
What was your least favourite university experience?
My worst university experience would definitely be having 4 final exams within the same week.
What is the hardest part about your program and what were the steps that you took to overcome any difficulties?
The hardest part about my program was the competitive nature of getting a co-op job. Although co-op is part of our program, it is not guaranteed. This meant having to apply for jobs when there are exams and taking interviews during classes. Time management was super important at this time.
If you were able to take electives, what was your favourite elective? If you were not able to take electives, what was your favourite course and why?
My favourite course was business strategy (AFM 433). This is a fourth year course which enabled students to incorporate all of their learnings within finance, accounting, and organizational behaviour and apply them to a case scenario. The course taught me business fundamentals and tools that can be applied to helping real businesses.
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