Beyond Graduation

Our Alumni tell us about the Guelph experience...

David WilsonPhoto of Dave Wilson (BComm MEIF 2007)
Staff Accountant, Financial Institutions, KPMG, Toronto, Ontario 

The BComm MEIF program at Guelph is a unique experience which enabled me to focus my area of specialization beyond what other universities offered. I feel that Guelph has given me a competitive advantage in the workplace through both its experienced faculty and mode of delivery. The faculty members that I have had the pleasure of interacting with have not only demonstrated an incredible capacity to share their knowledge and experiences with the students but most of them have shown a significant interest in the student's academic and professional development. The term assignments gave students, such as myself, the ability to gain valuable insight into the working world through projects involving real life business situations combined with theory taught in the classroom. Through the courses one takes within the program, and the experiences one gains, Guelph offers a unique way to combine theory and practical experience for a very powerful learning experience. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years at Guelph and am confident that I will excel in all that Guelph has prepared me for.

 

Tyler Tebbs (BComm 2005) 
European Equity Analyst, Churchill Capital, London, England

Photo of Tyler TebbsLooking back, I’m very pleased with Guelph as my choice to spend four great years. The professors are some of the most knowledgeable people in finance and economics outside (and maybe even on) Bay St. and in my opinion the best resources one has at Guelph. Some of my favorite times were with the Economics Society and Investment Club. The conferences I attended and people I met through these avenues still pay dividends for me today. After completing an MSc. in finance at the University of Readings ICMA (International Capital Markets Association) Centre in the UK, I took a job as a structured finance analyst at a firm in “The City” of London. I’ve met a lot of people from a lot of prestigious business schools in London, which if anything gave me more respect for the Department of Economics in Guelph. I realized I had the same background in economics (before the masters) that my colleagues did and was just as well prepared academically and socially for the challenges as they were, if not better, thanks to my time at the UofG.

 

Jaya James (BComm 2002)
Account Manager, Agriculture, Royal Bank of Canada

Photo of Jaya JamesThe University of Guelph Economics Department taught me that economics is not only about the numbers, that it is also about the relationships between social, political, and cultural dynamics. The courses and professors in the department encouraged me to look beyond the equations on the page to the people, business, governments, and social trends that make the equations significant. This focus at Guelph has enabled me to communicate economic principles to my clients in ways that are relevant to their businesses and to their lives. My time at Guelph also taught me that learning, whether in economics or any other area, does not end with graduation, but is a central part of the way I should live my life.

 

Charles Daviau (MA 2006) 
Master Lecturer, Director of Northern Development, Labour Studies, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario

Photo of Charles DaviauMy experience in the MA program at the University of Guelph was very rewarding. The program has deepened my understanding of economics by fostering an excellent learning environment where the professors are approachable and helpful. The most enjoyable part of my experience at the University of Guelph has been with the other graduate students. The Department fosters an environment of cooperation, where students work together and learn from each other. Many of the Masters students come from a variety of backgrounds and this allows the students to build on their strengths and learn from others. I am thankful for my experiences at Guelph because I have learned more about economics, and I have learned more about myself.

 

Peter A. Fabry (BComm 2000)
CIBC Mortgages and Lending

Photo of Peter FabryStudying Economics at the University of Guelph gave me a new way to view the world, not just an education in a particular field. I went there to better learn about business and finance. I did study such topics in depth, but digging deeper, studied interesting and meaningful topics such as people’s motivations, choices, and positions in life, opportunities, inter-relationships, and about government policy. There is great value in understanding such things. These topics were explored and tied together in a way only possible in an intimate school environment. It is one thing to study and another thing to be able to absorb and learn. This makes studying enjoyable. Also, thesis courses were made available to me to research topics in depth. I have graduated in post-secondary programs both prior to studying at U of G and after. My experience here remains most invaluable because I certainly apply my learned knowledge not just in work, but also in everyday life.

 

Brendan Carley (BA Hons 2000)

Sr. Economist, Dept. of Finance, Government of Canada

Photo of Brendan CarleyI came to the University of Guelph not knowing where I was headed academically, but the quality of the Economics program, the University’s international exchange opportunities, and the energy and knowledge of the professors really gave me direction, and brought into focus my opportunities for life after undergrad. I was able to spend a semester studying in Glasgow, Scotland, and in my senior year I had a lot of flexibility to pursue economic research topics of personal interest. As I became more interested in international issues, the solid economics fundamentals that I gained at Guelph put me in excellent standing for my Masters in International Affairs, and eventually for a career in international finance and financial services trade policy with the Federal government. All that, plus a great campus atmosphere makes Guelph hard to beat!