Sonya Kawall

As a third year Accounting Co-op student at the School of Accounting & Finance (SAF), I have been able to develop and build upon a wealth of valuable experience from the opportunities I have pursued at TRSM. The foundation of my experience started from joining the Ted Rogers Academic Success Centre (ASC) through Work Study where I have helped foster growth in others and been able to support students' academic success. I have been continuously dedicated to the ASC with my most recent experience as a Lead Academic Helper for QMS102/202/230, a Business Statistics course for SAF students, and as a Course Facilitator/Teaching Assistant for a first-year Strategies for Success course. 

Most importantly, I have maintained strong academic standing (Dean's List, Toronto Met Student Scholars, the Top 200 Program) in all years while remaining engaged as a dedicated student leader and mentor on campus. Moreover, I have had to the opportunity to publish a blog with the Business Career Hub on "How to Land the Perfect Co-op Placement" shortly after landing my first placement with Canada Revenue Agency as a Tax Examiner. By the end of my 5th semester (beginning of 3rd year), I had already secured my current placement as a Staff Accountant (Tax) at BDO Canada, one of the sixth largest public accounting firms. 

From the way the SAF curriculum (Co-op or non-Co-op) is structured, I have learned that a passion for learning, strong work ethic and enthusiasm in class is most important in order to develop a higher understanding that extends beyond the classroom. The program provides its students with the necessary tools and skills to challenge ourselves and differentiate our professional portfolio that is most desired by top employers in accounting and finance fields. Knowing ourselves is the beginning of all wisdom, but also, knowing how to differentiate ourselves is the beginning of all successes and SAF provides us with endless ways of doing so.