BCom Career Strategists

What's next? We're here to help you find the answers

Through the Hari B. Varshney Business Career Centre (BCC), all UBC Sauder BCom students have access to a team of dedicated and knowledgeable Career Strategists.

This team offers a variety of coaching and advising appointments you can book to get personalized, 1:1 support.

Your Career Strategists will work alongside you throughout your degree to help you take action and thrive in both your personal and professional life.

Talk to a Career Strategist About:

  • Job Application Review: get guidance on your resume and cover letter, including tips on how to tailor your resume for specific roles and how to craft accomplishment statements
  • Career Exploration/Navigation: get support and learn tactics to find out the types of jobs, industries, and employers that align with your interests and goals
  • Job Search Strategies: find advice on where to get started and how to find meaningful work experience opportunities
  • I'm Feeling Stuck: share what's making you feel stuck, and we'll help you create a path forward
  • Interviewing Prep & Strategies: practice answering questions and get tips for succes

Find a complete list of coaching & advising appointment types on COOL.

Meet your BCom Career Strategists!

David Edwards (He, Him, His)

Career Strategist, BCom Careers

About David: I graduated from the University of Victoria with a BSc in Geoscience, before working in mining exploration, aerial survey, IT, and satellite imagery. I went on to complete my MA in Counselling Psychology here at UBC, where my research focus was in employment transitions and the changing context of work.
Best piece of career advice David ever received: Follow your heart, but don’t forget your head.
Fun fact: I’ve spent a lot of time living in a tent in the Yukon.

Let's chat about:
BTM, BUCS, Entrepreneurship, and Consulting.

Jesse Grimaldi (He, Him, His)

Career Strategist, BCom Careers

About Jesse: I graduated from Queen’s University with an MA in Sociology. After exploring different career options, I began working as a recruiter, where I discovered my passion for giving back to students supporting their job pursuits and career development.  My professional background spans working in public, semi-public, private, and non-profit sectors. 
Best piece of career advice Jesse ever received: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." – Maya Angelou
Fun fact: My first career goal was playing in the NBA. Spoiler alert: it didn’t quite work out

Let's chat about: marketing, operations & logistics, human resources, and graduate school

Lauren du Toit (She, Her, Hers)

Career Strategist, BCom Careers

About Lauren: I have been in Vancouver for the last 13 years; I got a BSc in Earth and Ocean Sciences at UBC and completed the Master of Management program at UBC Sauder, and then chose to stay! My experience spans both the public and private sectors, including healthcare and Tech/IT recruitment, before joining the BCC in 2023. I am passionate about connecting with students, helping them navigate their career paths, and empowering them to make informed decisions about their professional journeys.

Best piece of career advice Lauren ever received: "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken." – Oscar Wilde

Fun fact: I played for the Austrian Softball National Team – and can speak German!

Let's chat about: Accounting, OBHR, Consulting and BTM 

Michael Clarke (He, Him, His)

Associate Director, BCom Careers & Work Integrated Learning

About Michael: I joined the Sauder School of Business in September 2015, bringing over 10 years of experience in facilitating and coordinating career exploration and job search programs. I continue to look for ways to empower individuals in their choices while they are looking to explore their options, transition into opportunities, and succeed in chosen career paths.
Best piece of career advice Michael ever received: First, find a place that likes you for who you are! Secondly, understand that regardless of your career path, you must prepare yourself to deal with ambiguity, uncertainty, and change. 
Fun fact: For over two years I had the opportunity to travel the world while working on cruise ships!

Let's chat about: Accounting, BTM, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Finance, General Business Management, Operations & Logistics, OBHR, and Real Estate.

Misa Zhang (She, Her, Hers)

Career Strategist, BCom Careers

About Misa: I have a background in education with experience supporting diverse student groups, including international students. I previously worked for two U.S. universities, mainly supporting business and computer science students' career development.
In my role at the BCC, I'll focus on supporting students to explore career opportunities in finance and will lead the Finance Mentorship Program (FMP) and Financial Modelling & Interview Prep Program (FMIPP).
Best piece of career advice Misa ever received: Sometimes “no” only means “not now”. Rejection can be transformed into redirection.
Fun fact: I have visited all 12 Disney Parks in the world.
Let’s chat about: Finance, Financial Designations, FMP, FMIPP

How do you book an appointment with a BCom Career Strategist?

To make a 1:1 appointment with a BCom Career Strategist, take the following steps:

  1. Log into COOL using your CWL
  2. Click on the “Coaching & Calendar” tab and click “Coaching Appointment”
  3. Click “Request a Coaching Appointment”
  4. Select the type of coaching appointment you would like to book
  5. Select "Virtual Coaching Appointment" as your location for virtual appointments or "Business Career Centre" for in-person appointments
  6. Select "Check Availability" 
  7. Once you select a date and time that works for you, fill in the required fields and click “Submit Request”

Log into COOL 

Questions?

If you have any issues making an appointment or have further questions, contact the Business Career Center at 604.822.6479 or careercentre@sauder.ubc.ca. If you're calling from out of town, our toll-free number is 1.877.777.6479.

How Career Strategists Help

"The Career [Strategists] at UBC Sauder provided me with the support and confidence I needed to kick-start my career. The one-on-one coaching appointments allowed for a tailored experience where they continuously worked alongside me to help tackle whatever career-related obstacles I was facing. With the support through follow ups, resources, and connections, I knew they cared about me both as a student and as a future business leader." - Cheryl Y., OBHR Student


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