My Made by McGill story has an unusual beginning – McGill lost my initial application! Despite my not hearing from the McGill Admissions Office and already having accepted a position at Vassar, my father was adamant McGill was where I should be. I took his advice, reapplied in August, was accepted, and moved to Montreal only a few weeks after. When I finally arrived at McGill after an eight-hour train ride from Niagara Falls, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven! Suddenly, all I had to do was study – to me, McGill was the best thing in the world.
As the owner of A.T. Lloyd's, Inc., I currently have more than 300 clients between the insurance and investment business and manage over $100M in assets. However, at McGill, I never took a business class. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and English Literature. My history classes gave me perspective – I can make sense of what’s happening because I know what has come before. With my English degree, I can explain it. Because of my Liberal Arts degree, I trust my ability to think and act accordingly. This skill is remarkably important in my daily work.
My advice for today’s students is to follow their passions and take courses that you are interested in. Once you’re ready for a career, look for a problem that you can help solve. I became involved in the life insurance industry because of a family crisis, and it was clear to me that this was an industry where I could find solutions to difficult problems and help others avoid similar traumas.