Interview with Emily Winick
Tell us about yourself and why you chose to study Accounting at the University of Guelph?
I’m Emily Winick and currently serve as a Finance Manager at Fidelity Canada. I graduated from the University of Guelph in 2021 with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting (Co-op). My journey into accounting began in grade 11 when I realized my passion for math. Encouraged by friends and family, I decided to pursue accounting and never looked back.
When it came time to choose a university, Guelph stood out for several reasons. The ability to decide on a major in the first year was a significant advantage compared to other commerce programs that required a more general approach initially. Additionally, the co-op program was a crucial factor for me, providing the security and certainty of hands-on experience throughout my studies. I was fortunate to be accepted into the co-op program right from the start, which greatly influenced my educational and professional journey.
What did you like most about your program? Is there anything in particular about the courses or professors that stands out to you?
Being an accounting major, one thing that really stood out to me was the ability to focus on accounting from as early as first year. As a decisive person it was nice to have a more tailored set of classes. That said, there were many courses that covered varying commerce topics like taking economics, finance, and intro to business.
In the later years of my program, I enjoyed the smaller class sizes. Being part of the co-op program, I got to know my peers in my cohort since we were often in the same core classes together each semester.
A theme that remained consistent throughout my degree was having knowledgeable professors. My professors were always tying back topics to their own experiences working in the business world, so I found it easier to grasp the application of my course content.
Did you do co-op? If yes, tell us a bit about your co-op job and your experience.
Yes, I had the pleasure of being part of the co-op program at Guelph. As an accounting major, we had four co-op terms over the course of the five-year program. One bonus to mention was the summer between my fourth and fifth year; I took full advantage of this time off school and completed a fifth co-op term. I worked in a variety of roles throughout my degree. My first role was at RBC Phillips, Hager, and North as a Finance Student. From there, I completed two co-op terms at Fidelity, one in Internal Audit and one in Finance focusing on Corporate Treasury. I then accepted a role at Deloitte working in Internal Finance. As my 'bonus' term during COVID, I returned to Fidelity to work on the Financial Planning & Analysis Team. Participating in a five-year program allowed me to gain a variety of experiences before graduation, which were an invaluable part of my education.
Where are you currently working and what is your role?
I am currently a Finance Manager at Fidelity Canada, responsible for providing finance support on larger strategic projects for our Emerging Businesses. I began my journey with Fidelity just one week after graduation and am now approaching my four-year anniversary. My co-op terms at Fidelity were instrumental in shaping my career, offering invaluable relationships and knowledge that paved the way for my current role.
How did your degree and time at the University of Guelph help get you to where you are today? How do the skills and education you gained help with your current work?
Beyond the direct advantage of the co-op program in establishing my relationship with Fidelity Canada, two key skills stand out: ingenuity and leadership. While my current role does not involve applying accounting theories or auditing financial statements, it does require me to solve problems and lead others effectively. The diverse courses I completed at Guelph taught me how to learn, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving. Identifying ways to search for information and ask pertinent questions are tasks I perform daily, skills which were significantly refined during my time at Guelph. Additionally, I developed my leadership abilities through numerous group projects, collaborative reports, and brainstorming sessions. Working with others allowed me to recognize my strengths and facilitated my professional growth, significantly advancing my career.
What advice would you give someone considering the Accounting program or applying to the University of Guelph?
GO TO GUELPH! I had such a positive experience over my 5 years there. The accounting co-op program provides you with an excellent foundation and can open the door to so many unique career opportunities. Outside of accounting, the University has so much to offer. The on-campus culture is truly unique, and you’ll make so many unforgettable memories.
Bonus Questions
Where was your favourite place to eat on campus and what was your go-to food order?
The Bullring!!! I was way too obsessed with the mac & cheese. .
In your opinion where is the best place to study on campus?
Library for sure! I'm biased to the Starbucks in the Library since I used to work there as a barista while I was a student, so I really loved the constant buzz in that space.
What was your pre-exam ritual?
To double-check my in-class and lab results to figure out how well I needed to score on the exam to pass the course.
What are your top 5 favourite things about U of G?
- Co-op Program
- The people - Campus culture is unmatched
- The food - duh!
- Living in South first year is a must!
- Small Classes
