Yashvi Shah

Yashvi Shah

Yashvi Shah | BBA 2018

Scarborough, Ontario

Program: Management & Finance

Previous Work Terms: Scotiabank

Why did you choose UTSC Management? The primary factors that influenced my decision were: the proximity to home, the prospect of graduating with 12 months of paid and relevant work experience, and the scholarship I was offered. Reflecting on this decision after 3 years at UTSC, I’d definitely stick to my previous reasons, but I’d add another one that I’d never prioritized before. The one aspect I discovered after coming here was the warm environment shaped by the faculty, clubs, and administrators. This environment really fosters a culture where mentorship is readily available and senior students become one of your most important sources of support, friendship, and information when it comes to academics, extra-curricular activities and work.

What has been the highlight of your experience so far? The highlight of my experience here has been my involvement with the Management and Economics Students’ Association (MESA). MESA started out as an extra-curricular activity that I originally planned to stay with for a year, but it ended up becoming my family for almost 3 years. It’s through MESA that I met some of my closest friends and mentors and was given the opportunity to help myself and my peers grow. It gave me moments where I wanted to quit everything, but it’s through those experiences that I learnt my own boundaries and limitations. More than anything else, it helped the IC building transition from being the place where my classes were held to a place I could call my second home.

What are your goals after this program and how is this program helping you to achieve them? Currently, I’m not entirely sure as to where I want to take my full-time career, but thanks to my past co-ops, I have some idea of the opportunities out there. One of the options I’m considering is to go into a sell-side finance role within Sales & Trading or Investment Banking in Equity or Debt Capital Markets. Throughout my second co-op, I received ample exposure to those opportunities and that has tremendously helped me narrow down my options. Another option I’m considering is trying out a technology-focused role at a financial institution to further develop my skills in that area, which is something I discovered while working with technology projects during my first work term. The third and most difficult option I’m considering is using my education and experience in business to work for a corporation or non-profit organization in another country. To test out the third option, I’m pursuing an internship with a non-profit organization in Malawi this summer.

What are your achievements to date? One of the achievements I’m most proud of is my second and most recent work term as an Equity Capital Markets Analyst at Scotiabank. Coming from high school, I was convinced that I would be specializing in accounting, so when I made the change from accounting to finance, it was equivalent to starting at ground zero. However, with the help of my mentors and other students who’d made similar changes before, I was able to follow through with it. I’d never thought I’d be able to do something like that so soon, which made it even better. The internship really helped me push my limits and realize what I’m capable of. It not only introduced me to fields I’d potentially like to try out full-time, but also helped me eliminate some that I was previously unsure about.

What is the biggest hidden gem about the UTSC campus location? One of the most underrated aspects of this campus is its supportive and friendly culture. UTSC’s relatively smaller size is often quoted as a disadvantage, however, what people often don’t realize is that its smaller size allows for a culture where one can get individual attention from mentors and staff. It also allows for easier communication between lots of different individuals in the program. Hence, if one puts enough effort into getting to know people and getting to know the campus, they can meet a large variety of different individuals across all years and gain valuable trade secrets regarding courses and jobs.

What are some of your favourite Management courses you have taken? My favourite courses would have to be: "Management Communications Co-op", "Management Ethics", and "Principles of Marketing".

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