Career Blog
“Speak your mind, be bold and think outside the box.”
At Telfer there are heroes who work behind the scenes. While they aren’t often talked about, these individuals give their all to ensure that we, as Telfer students, are fully equipped to be the leaders of tomorrow. Jerani Sivayogan, Relationship Manager at the Telfer Career Centre, is one of them.
Jerani holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. During her studies, she realized that she had a passion for business. She decided to pursue her MBA at McGill University. Her leadership skills have allowed her to hold several management positions, particularly in the banking industry. In addition to being a seasoned manager and leader, Jerani has a big heart: she loves to give back to her community and to associations such as Nova Montréal, also known as NOW-WOW.
At the Telfer Career Centre, Jerani is a Relationship Manager, a role that encompasses program management. She acts as a point of contact between Telfer students and employers. She also collaborates with other members of the School to create programs that contribute to student development. Among these programs is the Peer Mentoring Program.
For Jerani, the best part of her job is witnessing the success of her encounters with students, their satisfaction, and the positive impact her work has on their professional lives.
Finally, Jerani has one piece of advice for us all, students and/or professionals: “Speak your mind, be bold and think outside the box.” It is these actions that have led her to become the leader she is today.
– Jerani Sivayogan, Relationship Manager at the Telfer Career Centre.
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
What do you like most about Telfer?
“People. They are the best. Telfer is a welcoming environment and a great place to study business. The faculty provides a lot of opportunities, and there’s always something available for students in terms of networking opportunities and skill-building activities. Throughout my time at Telfer, I have had the opportunity to meet many like-minded students.”
What has been your happiest moment while at Telfer?
“I can think of 2 moments while at Telfer that I would consider the happiest. First: Joining Enactus. I was so happy to get my acceptance email, and the team is and has always been amazing. As soon as I heard about Enactus, I wanted to be part of this amazing group of people. Second: Going from online to in-person learning and finally getting to see everyone in person. It was a happy moment to meet and connect with my online peers.”
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
“The biggest challenge so far was facing the uncertainty in January between the shift from online to in‑person. It was tough to navigate what to do with Telfer and Enactus, but it was also a good opportunity to grow and adjust to the changing times.”
– Alexander Parsan, 2nd-year Accounting student, Project Manager, Shyne Eyewear, and Incoming President of Enactus uOttawa
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“As a 2nd-year Finance student my university experience has been primarily virtual. When I began my journey at Telfer, I knew I would have to make the most of my experience during a pandemic. Being part of the Telfer Finance Society has been the highlight of my time here. Connecting with club members and executives has improved my remote experience by leaps and bounds and allowed me to flourish.”
This week, our Humans of Telfer blog features Sara Babbagh, a 2nd-year Finance student who has been busy as a bee on campus, especially through the Telfer Finance Society (TFS), starting as First-year Representative, then leading as Vice-president of Events, and being the newly elected president! Here’s what she has to say about her experience so far:
“The constant growth and changes that we experience and witness at Telfer are what makes this school truly unique. With major events occurring weekly and new initiatives being led by students and professors, Telfer students are never bored. As a graduating high school student, I had a multitude of options to choose from. As I always loved business and numbers, going into Finance was a natural fit. Choosing the Telfer School of Management was a no-brainer; being part of a prestigious and world-renowned school would catapult me into success. I owe my success to my role as Vice-president of Events for the Telfer Finance Society. Hosting the Annual Toronto Trip during the pandemic was difficult, as we had to postpone on multiple occasions. Eventually, though, the event was announced, and we sold out in six minutes! We met with four major firms: Burgundy Asset Management, Caldwell Securities Ltd., KPMG, and Deloitte, and it was the most successful Toronto Trip to date. I felt proud and honoured to be part of such an incredible organization.
As a result of my Telfer experience, I have built bridges with major firms in the industry and gained a high‑quality education that will propel me into the Finance industry upon graduation. As the newly elected president of the Telfer Finance Society, I will continue this path towards success and carry on the Telfer legacy.”
– Sara Sabbagh, 2nd-year Finance student, President of the Telfer Finance Society (2022-2023)
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“Don’t chase people. Be yourself, do your own thing, and work hard.
The right people – the ones who really belong in your life – will come to you. And stay.”
― Will Smith
What do you like most about Telfer?
“What I like about Telfer is that there is always something going on. Since my first year, I have noticed that there is always a fair for student clubs, a gala, or a networking event on the calendar. I love Telfer because of the opportunities to learn and make new connections and friends. I appreciate the fact that I can constantly improve as a person.”
How did you decide what career you would like?
“The first time I realized I wanted to go into accounting was when I attended a conference by CPA Ontario in high school. I had the opportunity to speak with CPA Professionals, and I realized that accounting does not have to be a 9-5 desk job. Being a CPA, you get to travel to talk to various clients and you have the option to work wherever you want, whenever you want.”
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
“Managing all my tasks has been my biggest challenge so far in my academic career. I am currently the VP of Events for the Telfer Accounting Club and a Speaker Coordinator for Legacy Canada, a project under Enactus uOttawa. Having a leadership role in two student clubs, studying full time, and working part time, sometimes it can get overwhelming. But I could not drop anything to reduce my workload. The clubs I am in are amazing, and I love them both. That is one of the great things about Telfer: there are so many great extracurriculars to choose from that it is difficult to leave once you are involved.”
– Rivetha Kandeepan, 2nd-year Accounting Student
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
Telfer has a fantastic network. Over the years, I’ve made many great connections from group projects, extracurriculars, networking events, and so on.
Shirley Mach is a 4th-year Finance student, a Telfer Career Centre Ambassador, and Sponsorship Director for CASCO.
My Experience at Telfer:
“I’m currently completing my final term. I would describe my overall experience as highly engaging and productive. At school, I’m a Telfer Career Centre Ambassador; I was also involved with CASCO as Sponsorship Director.”
Why it’s great/What I like:
“Telfer has a fantastic network. Over the years, I’ve made many great connections from group projects, extracurriculars, networking events, and so on.”
About my program:
“Why Finance? I thought the program was fitting given that I enjoy working with numbers and incorporating business-related concepts. At Telfer, I was able to fully explore my program, from its professional challenges to its advancement opportunities. As well, my program has certainly helped me master the fundamentals of finance and its theoretical framework.”
My tips or advice:
“Know that you are not alone and be sure to take advantage of the support system available. The resources offered are endless and are there to help you navigate your way through university.”
“Overall, I’ve enjoyed my time at Telfer and I’m grateful for the many opportunities that were available to me. I am currently planning for my next steps after graduation, and I am looking forward to further exploring what my field of study has to offer. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me on LinkedIn as I am always willing to network and meet new people!”
– Shirley Mach is a 4th-year International Management and Marketing, a Telfer Career Centre Ambassador, and Sponsorship Director for CASCO.
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“I have been exposed to life-changing opportunities and I have immersed myself in a community full of hardworking and ambitious people. Overall, I had a fantastic experience; and I’m so proud to be a member of this amazing school!”
“My four years at Telfer have been phenomenal! I’m currently completing my last term, and over the last four years, I have been offered a wide variety of opportunities to gain practical experience, which will be beneficial for my future career after graduation. I believe I could have had a better experience had the pandemic not affected extracurricular activities. But seeing how Telfer has managed to support its students during those hard times was impressive. Telfer is not just a school. It is a community that helps students and enables them to reach their potential by allowing them to get involved and grow. I have been exposed to life-changing opportunities and I have immersed myself in a community full of hardworking and ambitious people. Overall, I had a fantastic experience; and I’m so proud to be a member of this amazing school!
– Dina Khakbaz, 4th-year International Management Student
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
Telfer is much more than a business school: it is a community of committed, outward-looking
and supportive people. I am extremely proud to be a part of it.
Q. What do you like most about Telfer and why did you choose this school?
A. I have been Dean of the Telfer School of Management for almost a year, having assumed the position on March 9, 2021. I can confirm that Telfer is a community of wonderful students, faculty, support staff, and graduates. It is both authentic and dynamic and it embodies very well the nature and culture of Canada’s diversity and bilingualism. These are the qualities that most attracted me to Telfer. Moreover, our school is enjoying a tremendous momentum right now: it is moving forward, and it offers many opportunities in terms of research and program growth and development.
Q. What has been your happiest moment so far at Telfer?
A. As I said, Telfer is a vibrant community where joy abounds. I have had many good moments at Telfer so far, but for now I would like to mention two. First, the B.Com. revision, which had long been awaited, was finally approved last year. This process had started 5 years earlier and was prolonged for several reasons. The approval of the new program was for me an unforgettable and emotional moment that will remain in my memory forever. The joy in the room at that moment was inexplicable and wonderful. It is important to remember that we are talking about an undergraduate curriculum that directly affects and transforms the present and future of many students. This revision has resulted in a more agile and flexible program for our students. It allows them to take courses from other faculties and tailor the program to their tastes and aspirations. This is one of the things that students have long been asking for, because previously the vast majority of electives were predetermined. The program was more rigid. Secondly, a revised curriculum means new professors. It is a joy for me to know that we are in the process of hiring new professors, and not just any professors: very high calibre professors who will contribute in a VERY positive way to the future of Telfer.
Q. What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to face so far?
A. Certainly, like any human being, I have found the pandemic to be no picnic. Coming into my position in a virtual environment in 2021 was not easy, as I had very little contact with students and faculty. A university is a human organization, not just a building or a technological arsenal: it is first and foremost a community of professors, students, and employees. It is a big ball of 100% human energy. The pandemic has robbed us of much of that humanity and managing a fundamentally human organization in the midst of a pandemic comes with many challenges. But the pandemic has also brought something to Telfer: it has taught us to push the boundaries of educational technology, for example.
I strongly encourage our students to check out the services and resources provided at the Career Centre
as early as possible during their journey at Telfer, and not wait until their final year or term
to seek advice from its team of professionals.
Q. What are your thoughts on the Telfer Career Centre? If you were to give one piece of advice to Telfer students so that they take advantage of this resource, what would it be?
A. It is very important that Telfer has its own career centre, and the Telfer Career Centre provides a tremendous service to students. One of the biggest challenges is the late engagement of some students who begin to look in our career services toward the end of their academic career. They start thinking about the job market and realize they need help preparing their resumé, learning how to conduct themselves in interviews, etc. I strongly encourage our students to look in the services and resources provided at the Career Centre as early as possible during their journey at Telfer, and not wait until their final year or term to seek advice from its team of professionals.
– Dean Stéphane Brutus holds a B.A. from Simon Fraser University, an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and a postdoctoral fellowship from the Center for Creative Leadership.
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
The Telfer Career Centre is full of wonderful people who support, equip and coach undergraduate and MBA students as well as recent graduates in their career development and preparation for the workplace. Marion Lajoie is one of those gems!
Marion Lajoie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Ottawa as well as a Masters’ degree in Educational Counselling. Whether as a dance teacher, a camp coordinator, or a Career Counsellor for the Career Centre, Marion has always enjoyed making a difference in the lives of others. Her passion for helping people has led her to have a meaningful career at the Career Centre, where she helps tomorrow’s leaders turn their various business interests into career possibilities.
As a career specialist, Marion plays an important role in the lives of students by guiding them in their career choice and shaping their personal and professional development. She loves the dynamic, creative, and innovative environment offered by the Telfer community, which provides so many opportunities for students to grow and learn.
Just like every student, Marion has been through that key period in life during which we ask ourselves so many questions about who we are, our personal and professional skills, what we are going to do in life, etc. After reflecting thoroughly as a result of her studies in psychology, she realized that what she loved and wanted to do most in her life and career was to help others. To fulfill this life mission, she undertook a masters’ degree in Educational Counselling at the University of Ottawa, during which she completed an internship at the uOttawa Career Development Centre.
It was while she was looking for work after completing her Masters’ that she heard about a great job opportunity that she couldn’t pass up. Telfer was indeed looking for a Career Counsellor to join its new Career Centre. Since entering our great community, Marion takes pride in helping students grow every day.
– Marion Lajoie, Career Counsellor at the Telfer Career Centre
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“From my first day as a Telfer student, I knew my program would allow me not only to thrive and grow in a safe environment, but also to push my boundaries. Each Telfer course teaches you not only theoretical skills, but also skills that are transferable to the professional world. I encourage other students to choose Telfer: it offers a well-diversified curriculum and provides opportunities to develop social skills and network.
Initially, I was intimidated by the calculus prerequisite. Surprisingly, it turned out to be my greatest strength, and I decided to switch from International Management to Finance. I really enjoy all my finance classes, as they offer an interesting mix of real-world situations and the application of math. As a work-study student, I now work for a Canadian law firm specializing in intellectual property.
Telfer taught me the importance of building relationships. After a year of networking, I have many peers in different workplaces around the world, which allows me to understand how to adapt to a growing professional environment and ensure that I develop my portfolio accordingly.
Socially, I quickly realize that I share similar personality traits and interests with other Telfer students. Telfer hosted an incredible 101 week that allowed me to meet a lot of my peers. I was able to find friends who challenge me both academically and socially. So, don’t let your fears stop you from reaching your full potential. In retrospect, I am extremely grateful that I did not let a calculus course stop me from getting into one of the top business schools out there, but rather exposed myself to a subject that I love and thrive in.”
– Jessica Roe, 3rd-year student (Finance), Junior Financial Analyst at Smart & Biggar (CO-OP)
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity” – Albert Einstein
This week’s Humans of Telfer is Bhanuja Rastogi, a 3rd-year Finance student involved in several uOttawa clubs. She co-founded the Business Healthcare Society and is now its co-president. Furthermore, she is the Director of Finance at the Women in Management Network, as well as Vice-president of Finance for the Health Science Networking Association. On top of being part of clubs here at uOttawa, Bhanuja takes part in many activities such as soccer, hockey, and field hockey. It is by juggling various athletic and academic activities as well as numerous extracurricular roles and collaborations that she has learnt the importance of time management, teamwork, and communication.
Bhanuja’s biggest inspiration is her older brother. “Seeing his passion, determination, and drive to accomplish what he wants, as well as his caring nature, has inspired me to challenge myself, pursue my goals and never give up,” she says.
In addition to her brother, she also has Telfer to thank for providing her with so many opportunities. “I like how Telfer places an emphasis on community and inclusivity. Telfer supports its students in finding the right career path by providing networking events, career fairs, and school clubs. Those are what allowed me to find what I wanted my future career to look like.” She urges students to step outside of their comfort zone and join as many clubs and sports teams as possible.
Bhanuja wants to use her knowledge and experience in finance to land her dream job in the healthcare industry. Being surrounded by friends and parents who work in the healthcare industry and having and gained experience as a volunteer at her local hospital, she knows this is exactly where she wants to be. “Volunteering made me see the impact a simple conversation or glass of water can have, and I have realized that what I want is a career in which I can help people and make a difference.”
– Bhanuja Rastogi, 3rd-year Finance student, Co-president/Co-founder, Business Healthcare Society, Director of Finance, Women in Management Network, and Vice-president of Finance, Health Science Networking Association
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.