Inaugural Finance Career Networking Breakfast proves successful

The UFV School of Business enjoyed a successful inaugural Finance Career Networking Breakfast on Friday, Feb. 6. Working with School of Business director Frank Ulbrich, students Jennifer Trithardt-Tufts and Arzoo Sandhu coordinated and hosted the event at the Phoenix Lounge in Abbotsford.

Twenty-nine students participated in the networking breakfast, which included roundtable discussions with the four sponsors: Envision Financial, RBC Financial group, Sun life Financial, and TD Bank of Canada.

Trithardt-Tufts was very satisfied with the event’s success.

“I was really happy with the turn out,” she said.

“When I spoke to students and sponsors after the event it seemed like everyone found it really useful and many of the sponsors requested to be invited again next year.”

Based on feedback given by the students through an online survey, the finance career networking breakfast was initiated to help students get in contact with industry professionals. Students who participated were able to ask representatives from each institution career-related questions, and were given the opportunity to hand in their resumes at the end of each roundtable discussion. There was an informal question and answer period following the event, where students could continue to make connections with potential future employers.

“It gave students an opportunity to practise their networking skills, which are so important for business students to possess, while getting their name out to influential people in the banking industry,” added Trithardt-Tufts

Professor Dr. Amir Hajbaba, area chair for Accounting and Finance for the School of Business, also attended and recognizes the value in these opportunities.

“Understanding the employer’s expectations with regards to interpersonal and competency skills are critical for students who are near graduation,” Hajbaba said.

“The finance networking breakfast event provided the students that opportunity in a very intimate setting. Moreover, it showcased the growth of the Finance option in the BBA degree to the event sponsors and industry representatives.”

Trithardt-Tufts and Sandhu became involved with this event through the Employer Engagement program, where they were hired as project assistants for the School of Business. Their role within the program is to organize events that will bring potential employers from the Fraser Valley to Business Administration Students.

Check UFV Today for future UFV School of Business networking events.