Born and raised in Montreal, it seemed natural that I would attend McGill. And I was thrilled when I was accepted.
Having been good at math and physics, I studied mechanical engineering and did a minor in management. From the start, I was lucky to form friendships with five other classmates. We took most of our courses together and supported each other through those four tough years. We would finish class on Thursdays at 3:00 pm, study in the Library until at least 10:30 pm and then go straight to Gert’s. Those friendships inside and outside the classroom stand out for me.
My advice to students is be open-minded and don’t give up. While you might go to university to study one thing, it's okay to pivot.”
McGill opened me up to opportunities. During January of my first year, investment banks and consulting firms came to recruit on campus. Although I wouldn’t be graduating for a few years, I met representatives from Goldman Sachs, Salomon Smith Barney, Credit Suisse First Boston, Merrill Lynch and McKinsey. I think that’s how I ended up where I am today, because of those firms that came to campus which broadened my horizons and introduced me to Wall Street and business consulting.
I visited the McGill Engineering Career Centre, and I’ll never forget one of the staff members, Eleanore McNaughton. God bless her; I’ll never forget the emails, the phone calls, the drop-in visits and her patience. She helped connect me to McGill alumni at different investment banks and offered sound advice.
McGill is about discovering your passions. You’re away from home, you're on campus and you have four years to explore and take risks. Once you find your passion, hold onto it. When those firms came to recruit, I was passionate. I went to the career office and read every single book I possibly could. My advice to students is be open-minded and don’t give up. While you might go to university to study one thing, it's okay to pivot. I did, and I still completed my degree, because I wanted to finish what I started.
McGill is close to my heart. With students from different walks of life and pretty much every country on earth, McGill broadened my perspective. It is a university that has the brand, the alumni, the reach, the connectivity and the great reputation. Deciding to study at McGill was one of the better decisions I’ve made in my life so far.