Aashi Shrivastava at a winery.
Born with a knack for numbers and a passion for accounting, Aashi Shrivastava can balance any equation, leadership role and extracurricular activities. Equipped with the Outstanding International Student Scholarship and a determination to redefine what it means to be a “big fish in a small pond,” Aashi chose to pursue knowledge and personal growth at UBCO. Since then, Aashi has been dedicated to enhancing student life and welfare, leveraging her roles as a Residence Advisor (RA) and Vice President of Student Resources within the Management Student Association (MSA). As she prepares to intern at KPMG Calgary, Aashi views this opportunity as a crucial step toward achieving her CPA and establishing her accounting career.
Q: What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
A: As I was finishing high school in India, I had initially set my mind on completing the chartered accountancy program in my home country. However, my parents informed me that we would be moving abroad very soon, so I started exploring my options. UBCO was actually the only Canadian university I had applied to and I was given the Outstanding International Student Scholarship upon my acceptance. My cousin had also originally graduated from this program and the more I learnt about it, the more I appreciated UBCO.
Q: What have been your biggest takeaways from the program?
A: In terms of my academics, I have always been inclined towards accounting and mathematics. My fondness for those subjects has been solidified here at university. I have been able to make many connections with my professors and some of my peers. When it comes to curricular activities, I think that’s where I’ve gained the most. I’ve been involved with the Management Student Association for the last two years now and it has helped me step out of my comfort zone and build my networking skills. MSA even helped me obtain an internship at KPMG for next summer through business trips. I was able to work with teams, learn how to lead and help the overall well-being of students.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of the program so far?
A: To me, the most rewarding part of the program is the opportunity to be a big fish in a small pond. While Kelowna might not always offer the most opportunities, it doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself; it encourages you to explore opportunities in other cities as well. Additionally, Kelowna fosters a close-knit community where professors and students build strong, personal connections.
Q: What advice or insight would you give a prospective student considering the program?
A: The Management program at UBCO is best for a student who is still exploring an area of business to be passionate about. Since there are no majors or specializations on your final degree diploma, the Management program is a great way for students to explore all areas of management and general business. While I still hope that majors like accounting will eventually be specified in our final degrees, I appreciate the chance to explore various fields that I might not have otherwise. Additionally, UBCO’s Faculty of Management is ideal for proactive students who take initiative. You truly get back what you put in, so if you’re considering this program, be prepared to get involved and put in the effort to make the most of it.
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or student organizations on-campus? If so, what inspired you to get involved?
A: My primary areas of involvement included the Management Student Association and being a Residence Advisor (RA) on Campus. In the Management Student Association, I served as a member of the innovation council in my first year and the Vice President of Student Resources along with being an RA in my second year. I have always participated in student initiatives, even during my high school years, so I knew I wanted to be an active Management student and have somewhere to devote my efforts other than academics. The entire executive council in my first year was very encouraging and made me feel like I belonged even though I was the youngest member of our whole internal team. Additionally, I knew that I needed to build my resume, so joining MSA was a great choice. I have been able to find groups of people I worked well with and found out more about myself and the way that I like to conduct myself in professional settings.
Some things I am particularly proud of are my contributions to the innovation council. We launched a successful “Movember” campaign and organized the impactful 5 Days for the Homeless charity week, which included operating a thrift store. Moreover, our Mental Health Week and networking opportunities fostered personal growth and professional development for our fellow students. The culmination of my dedication was celebrated with the “Internal Team Member of the Year” award at the prestigious MSA gala. In my second year as VP of Student Resources, leading a group of 7 amazing team members, my goal was to enhance student engagement and welfare of students through events, including classroom visits, and fostering relationships with esteemed professors. I have had many events throughout the year to promote student welfare and make sure the students know that the MSA is there to support them.
Q: Are you or have you been in a co-op placement? If so, what was your role with that company?
A: While I have not gone through the official UBC Co-op program, I will be interning at KPMG next summer in Calgary. I received the offer through the Management Student Association’s Calgary Business trip (I would highly recommend going on the trip). It will be a 4-month position in KPMG’s Summer Student Program and I’m super excited for it. While I am still learning more about this role, I am sure that my activities while being involved are the primary reason that I received the offer.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: I plan to pursue the path of Accounting by moving forward with the CPA. I plan to intern at KPMG Calgary and move on from there. I hope to have more figured out soon, but currently, I am resolute in doing my CPA. I hope to be able to figure out things one step at a time as I go!
Q: Do you have anything else you’d like to share?
A: While this may not be particularly related to the Faculty, I think it is important to show people that you care and appreciate them, whether that is people in your family, friends, team members or professors. Everyone could use the motivation. University is a time when you are very busy trying to find yourself, however, it is important to acknowledge the people and experiences that helped you get to where you are. It is hard to do this, but it could just be the smallest things that end up meaning the most! 🙂
Aashi Shrivastava with her peers all dressed up.