Q&A with Fall 2022 graduate Muskaan Gauri

"The University of Lethbridge has truly allowed me to explore a variety of career paths," explains Dhillon School of Business graduate Muskaan Gauri (BSc/BMgt Co-op '22). Muskaan is graduating with a combined degree, or two degrees, in business and science with majors in finance and computer science, and a minor in economics. "The combination of education and experience I received has allowed me to gain insight into multiple industries and has helped me discover the career path that is right for me," Muskaan says. Here she sheds light on her time as a student and her experiences with internships and co-op.

What is your most memorable ULethbridge experience?

The University of Lethbridge is a big advocate for experiential learning, and I truly believe it makes all the difference. My favourite experience by far is the internships and co-ops I took part in. These experiences really helped to provide a realistic view of what the industry looks like, and sometimes this can look very different from what people might initially envision. I have been fortunate enough to participate in applied experiences on both the finance and computer science side of my degree. I have gained transferable skills, practical knowledge and the opportunity to build my network throughout these experiences. My finance co-op, in particular, inspired me to write the CFA Level I exam and further confirmed my passion for the field.

What is the most important lesson you learned during your time at ULethbridge?

The most important lesson I learned during my time at ULethbridge, is to try to implement my classroom learning by taking on projects that would allow me to connect theory to the real world. Going this extra step requires a bit more effort, but I found that it helped solidify my understanding of the concepts taught, while also creating a portfolio of tangible projects and research. This portfolio is great for referencing when creating resumes and going through the interview process, especially when applying for your first internship or co-op.

Who had an important influence on your ULethbridge experience?

Professors Jackie Rice, Wendy Osborn and Howard Cheng all helped me develop the technical side of my education, while finance professors Hamed Ghanbari, Ben Asem, Vishaal Baulkaran and Shamsul Alam helped me round out my analytical skills. Apart from university professors, the team members I worked with during my internship, and co-op experiences were instrumental in helping me understand the industry landscape. My internship at Lethbridge College involved me working with the digital learning team, and my co-op at AB Central was with the treasury department. Last but not least, my friends and family are my biggest cheerleaders, and I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my goals without them.

Did you receive scholarships and awards? If so, please tell us a bit about how they helped you throughout your studies.

I am very grateful for the scholarships and awards I received throughout my time at the University of Lethbridge. Scholarships and awards I received in association with the University of Lethbridge include the CFA Program Student Scholarship, Dan Paulson Memorial Scholarship, Jason Lang Scholarship, Board of Governors Scholarship, and the General University of Lethbridge Scholarship. These scholarships and awards considered academic performance, as well as leadership and community involvement and were critical to my success, as they allowed me to dedicate more time and effort towards my studies at ULethbridge.

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

The University of Lethbridge has truly allowed me to explore a variety of career paths. The combination of education and experience I received has allowed me to gain insight into multiple industries and helped me discover the career path that is right for me. I am currently working in capital markets and have the opportunity to implement my education on a daily basis. I hope to continue expanding my knowledge and growing in this ever-evolving industry.

What advice would you like to give those who are about to begin their journey at ULethbridge?

I think it’s always important to remain curious about your field of choice. These days too many people are disinterested in their everyday jobs and often pick an industry because it is “safe,” or “the right thing to do.” The average person spends approximately one-third of their life working…it makes a big difference to pick a field you are genuinely interested in. Sometimes this journey of finding the right field of study can take a few twists and turns, but I truly believe it is worth it.

Congratulations Muskaan!