“It’s all about learning by doing.”
How did you get hired at TD, and what were your key learnings?
Initially, I was interested in a different internship position at TD Wealth. Taking a proactive step, I reached out via LinkedIn with a message to the team manager. He connected me with his recruitment partner and our conversation revealed that the position had already been filled. Meanwhile, they introduced me to the Wealth Process Excellence team which later proved was a perfect fit. My manager, Udit, helped me map out my learning goals, which were primarily to develop technical skills. He not only selected a technical project that matched my skill level but also introduced me to different groups that helped broaden my understanding of the entire team and industry dynamics. My project that had the most significant impact was a collaborative effort with the Behavioural Finance team, which led to $1 million CAD capacity savings.
What are your career goals?
At the moment, my goal is to explore different segments within capital markets. It led me to my current internship at a German boutique investment bank focusing on cross-border M&A. I aim to continue with this career path for future co-op placements. The Management Co-op program has greatly supported, and will continue to support, my career aspirations.
What makes studying business at U of T Scarborough the right fit for you?
Prior to joining the Management and International Business (MIB) program, I had the privilege of considering offers from other top Canadian business schools. There were two major reasons for choosing U of T Scarborough: first, the Co-op BBA degree emphasizes practical experience through Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) to support my goal of gaining a competitive edge in the job market upon graduation; moreover, my aspiration to cultivate a global view drew me to the MIB program as it offers unique international study and work opportunities.
Advice for future co-op students?
Focus on networking, and never stop. Networking online or attending events in person will for sure improve your chances of landing job offers, and more importantly, enrich your understanding of different industries to help inform your future career choice. Secondly, the practical experience gained from work terms and projects is priceless. It lays down a robust foundation of hands-on skills and knowledge.
The tagline of the Management program is Experience to Lead. What does that mean to you?
The best way to become a good leader is by getting your hands dirty. It’s about tackling problems as they come and learning from both the wins and the losses. Working with different people is also an integral part. This idea has been my guiding light, teaching me that real-life experiences are the best classroom. It’s all about learning by doing; the more you’re in the mix, the better leader you’ll become.