I believe that the skills and the knowledge that I gained here will not only contribute to my growth but also will position me as a valuable asset in the business analysis role

I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better.

My family migrated to Canada in 2006 from the Philippines (Asia). I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from my home country.

Although challenging, I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given. I started my journey in Canada with temporary junior accounting jobs. It allowed me to integrate myself into the Canadian workforce and culture. After gaining more Canadian work experience, I landed a permanent job. Currently, I work as Treasury Analyst in a HydroElectric Generation company.

Despite the obstacles, I was determined to gain Canadian credentials. The pandemic made it more challenging, but I persisted. I balance work, study, and family.

In December 2019, I enrolled at McMaster University. Later earned a Diploma in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance and completed a Diploma in Accounting.

While studying at McMaster University, I developed my self-discipline and changed how I perceive things, which is priceless. I have to experience it to learn and discover it. I am self-motivated. I noticed I enjoyed studying – understanding in depth and not memorizing, which I usually did when I was younger.

The McMaster University courses were challenging to be honest, and my teachers taught me to be a critical thinker. I began thinking outside the box. The good thing is that if I had an idea or answered a question, they let me explain why I came up with that answer – that, for me, was so engaging for a student to understand more and strive to improve rather than simply dismissing a student’s incorrect answer.

From personal experience, the teaching style of McMaster University is different, and I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better. Until now, I have applied the ways and self-discipline I had gained even with this Treasury Designation exam I took recently. I want to thank and let McMaster know the influence/the lessons they had instilled in me that changed my outlook and mindset, making me better and excel in what I want to be.

It was really rewarding to take what I was learning in class and use it to make significant lifestyle changes.

Sustainability programs can be a great way to develop your career in the field of sustainability. According to a Harvard Business Review article, there is no unique path when it comes to sustainability. However, there are a few ways to get started. First, know that this field is not going anywhere. Businesses are reacting to consumer demands by creating new roles focused on developing ESG-friendly practices and solutions in every function. The article suggests that you educate yourself on the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. The United Nations defines sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Many international and domestic companies are rated and given an ESG (environmental, social, governance) score by third-party providers that measure their performance around each pillar. According to McKinsey, there have been more than 2,000 academic studies, and roughly 70% of them find a positive relationship between ESG scores and financial returns. Further, in 2015, the UN established 17 Sustainable Development Goals as part of its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Businesses need to do more if they wish to meet these goals in the next few years.

It was really rewarding to take what I was learning in class and use it to make significant lifestyle changes. I would encourage any McMaster student who has an interest in sustainability from a health, economic, societal, or environmental perspective to enroll in a sustainability course!

I am getting great benefits, personally as well as career growth.