Q&A with Dhillon School of Business shining graduate Shelby Reed

University of Lethbridge graduate and accounting major Shelby Reed (BMgt '22) chose to study accounting because of her love of numbers and organization. The Dhillon School of Business student, who has already landed a full-time job in the accounting world, speaks about the difference taking her time getting her degree made to her educational journey and more.

What was your most memorable ULethbridge experience?

My most memorable ULethbridge experiences were going to the Dhillon Business Students' Association (DBSA) Year-End Galas in my first few years of school (prior to COVID-19). I loved being able to get together with my peers and friends and celebrate all we had achieved that year.

What was most rewarding about your student experience?

I have participated in quite a few Student Professional Development events such as excel workshops, an entrepreneurship event called “The Power of Pivot” and the CPA Future Professionals Conference. What I found most rewarding about these experiences was not only the value I gained from the speakers and teachers at each event, but the connections and friends I made with my peers. In each of the events that I participated in, I felt nothing but supported in my journey through exponential growth in connections with the people surrounding me.

What is the most important lesson you learned during your time with the Dhillon School of Business?

The most important lesson that I learned during my time with the Dhillon School of Business is that you might not always get things right on the first try and that it is okay to ask others for help. The most important part of any journey is the growth that we undergo whilst working through the problems we are presented with. I don’t think I would have been able to grow as much as I did without the help of my professors and peers every step of the way.

What advice would you give to those who are about to begin their journey at the Dhillon School of Business?

Take things slow and don’t feel as though you must rush through all your classes as fast as you can. It’s okay to only take four classes per semester instead of five if that is the capacity at which you learn best. I found that taking one fewer class per semester helped me to increase my knowledge and deepen my understanding in all my classes, making my educational experience that much better.

What are your hopes/plans for the future?

I have accepted a post-grad articling accountant position at MNP that started in January. I have loved working with them through my first tax season and have recently started my journey to become a designated CPA. I look forward to continuing to work at MNP throughout this journey and am excited for what the future holds!

Congrats Shelby!