What brought you to UPEI? Why did you choose to study here?

I’m a born and raised Islander and I’ve lived in Stanley Bridge my entire life. I’ve always known that wherever my career may take me, I will always have a place in my heart for PEI, and plan on spending my retirement years here.

Interestingly enough, what brought me to UPEI is not the same as why I hold a special place in my heart for the University. What originally led me to UPEI was the practicality the university provided. Through aggressive scholarships and bursaries, UPEI almost makes it difficult to choose anywhere else. I’ve been incredibly lucky to actually profit from attending UPEI (And I’m not just talking about profiting in terms of education, and relevant skills). I’ve come to realize that UPEI is a phenomenal university to select for an undergraduate program, especially if you plan on seeking out further higher education in the future. Not only will I hold a degree from a respected university, but I’m also in a much healthier fiscal position to continue building on my education, compared to where I would be should I have attended another University.
 

What do you find unique and interesting about your program?

The McDougall Faculty of Business offers the unique UPEI Case Competition program. Eight students are selected to build on their learning within relevant courses such as strategic management, and they represent UPEI while competing against universities all across the world in a business context. While this program requires a significant amount of time, it has furthered my education and developed me as a professional in a multitude of ways. The course has not only provided me with highly technical knowledge relating to the analysis of a company and a specific problem, but has also bolstered my creative thought-process when it comes to solving those types of problems. Beyond the knowledge afforded to me by the program, it has also provided me with connections internationally through interactions with individuals from all over the world at competitions.

What kinds of support have you received during your time here from UPEI students, staff, and UPEI faculty members?

The support offered through UPEI is incredible. Any time I have approached my support team within the McDougall Faculty of Business with an issue, they have been able to immediately resolve it or provide me with a plan to navigate the issue going forward. This has ranged from course semester extensions to accommodate a concussion, to planning my study abroad semester in such a way that allowed me to achieve my accounting specialization without delaying my graduation beyond May 2025. When I talk about supports, I don’t just mean the advisor team in the Faculty of Business; I’m also talking about professors as well. From my experience, UPEI has an incredibly reasonable and sympathetic portfolio of professors that are more than willing to accommodate any reasonable request. 

What opportunities have you experienced because you're studying at UPEI, or because of the Island location? 

UPEI will always hold a special place in my heart because of the opportunities and experiences I was provided as a student. For me, studying at UPEI meant so much more than just studying at the Charlottetown campus. UPEI has provided me with incredible opportunities through the Study Abroad program and the Business Faculty Case Competition Program. I've been able to bolster my education and develop my professional skills in locations such as Malta, Germany, London, Vermont, and more. These opportunities have given me a deep appreciation for how business is conducted internationally, as well as an appreciation for different cultures in general.

"The support offered through UPEI is incredible. Any time I have approached my support team within the McDougall Faculty of Business with an issue, they have been able to immediately resolve it or provide me with a plan to navigate the issue going forward."

What's unique about UPEI, and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?

In my experience, the uniqueness that UPEI has to offer is its incredible value, in terms of what the cost is to students, compared to the quality of education and opportunities provided. Looking at my program specifically, there are a number of phenomenal minds that make up the McDougall Faculty of Business that have provided an incredible amount of value to me as a student. Effectively what I’m trying to say is, I attended UPEI because of that incredible value: costs were comparably lower, and the high quality, educated, competent professors that you would expect to see in the likes of one of Canada’s high-ranking universities such as UofT or McGill were right here.
 

What would you tell a high-school student considering UPEI and the BBA program?

Ultimately, it all depends on your priorities. UPEI is perfect for furthering your education, developing yourself as an individual, and learning relevant professional skills. While UPEI does foster many amazing communities and clubs, it's not what I'd consider a "party school". UPEI does offer a great base for your education and development of your skills as a professional. Throughout my education at UPEI, I have been able to focus on what is really important to me—my education.

What are your general plans after graduation?

While as always, plans often differ than reality, currently I plan on moving to Montreal after graduation, to earn my CPA. I’m currently working part-time at an accounting firm, and will shift to full-time upon completion of my degree. From there (which is 2–3 years down the road) I’m considering earning a Law degree through McGill. Ultimately, the combination of a CPA and JD will provide me with a healthy number of opportunities, and will allow me to pursue my current career of choice as a tax lawyer.