Grace Ingalls takes a picture on a stairway
When you think of someone who’s all about seizing opportunities and diving into new experiences, Grace Ingalls is the perfect example. As a Bachelor of Management student at UBCO, she was initially drawn to the program by the experiences of her older cousin and the chance to study under professors with real-world expertise. Since then, Grace has taken every chance to connect with her professors, build lasting relationships, and gain hands-on experience in the MGMT community. From working as a teaching assistant to interning at a Big 4 accounting firm, Grace is on a path to making her mark in the world of public accounting. And with her sights set on a CPA designation and a future in US corporate tax, there’s no doubt Grace is a rising star to watch!
Q: What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
A: I was initially drawn to UBCO’s Bachelor of Management program as my older cousin was in the process of getting her degree and was having an amazing experience in the program. I could tell that there were multiple professors and lecturers with practical experience in the fields I was interested in. I liked that all the professors deeply care about teaching and make it a priority in their roles at UBCO. UBCO also has a smaller campus when compared to others, so the smaller class sizes drew me to the program. I thought that this would allow me to build relationships with my professors and get to know my classmates better, which it has! Besides this, when I was applying to different business schools, I was unsure about the area of business I wanted to focus on. I noticed that UBCO offered a wide range of classes in all the different areas of business, which made me ultimately choose UBCO.
Q: What have been your biggest takeaways from the program?
A: The biggest takeaway from the program so far is the abundance of practical experience each of the professors and lecturers have at UBCO. I have found that my professors have a bigger focus on providing quality and relevant education to their students rather than focusing solely on a textbook for their lessons. Although they teach using a textbook, they supplement by adding practical and real-life examples from their experiences in the industry. I find that the professors develop their lesson plans around what they think will be relevant when we begin our careers, which is extremely beneficial. Their experiences in the business industry also allow for many conversations to be had about their experiences, acting as mentors when we are trying to figure out where we see our careers going. Several of my professors worked at the same firm where I plan to begin my career, which provided me with reassurance and a guide to what my career will look like.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of the program so far?
A: I think the most rewarding part of the program has been the many opportunities it has given me. With UBCO being a smaller school, there have been several more opportunities I have been able to gain. These include teaching assistant (TA) opportunities, relationships with professors, and connections with peers. The Bachelor of Management program allowed me to TA for a second-year course as a third-year student, which was an amazing and rewarding opportunity I wouldn’t have received at a larger school. The smaller program size and smaller class sizes, especially in accounting classes, have allowed me to build relationships with peers and professors on a deeper level as well. Overall, I have access to more opportunities and can connect more with the faculty, which has been the most rewarding.
Q: What advice or insight would you give a prospective student considering the program?
A: My advice for prospective students considering the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO is to keep your options open and not get discouraged if things don’t end up going in the direction you thought they would. The Bachelor of Management program has many different avenues you can go into, like accounting or marketing. I think it is best to consider a future in all these different areas while you take your introductory classes, as you never know what might interest you the most. If the business area you originally thought you’d like best doesn’t go well, don’t be discouraged as there is so much more you can do within this program.
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or student organizations on campus? If so, what inspired you to get involved?
A: I’m not involved in any clubs or student organizations on campus, but I was given the opportunity to be a TA for a couple of MGMT classes. I was inspired to get involved with this as it allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. I was able to build connections with other students in their first few years at UBCO, as well as build relationships with the professors I TA’d for. Besides this, it was cool to experience what the teaching side of university classes was all about.
Q: Are you or have you been in a co-op placement? If so, what was your role with that company?
A: I haven’t been in a co-op placement, but I have taken part in an internship over this past summer. I was confident in where I saw my career going, so I decided to take part in a four-month internship rather than a twelve-month co-op placement. By doing an internship I was able to gain practical experience in the accounting field over the summer, which would not delay my graduation date. I was able to secure an internship at a Big 4 accounting firm, where I was considered an audit staff accountant. Through this internship, I was able to do a rotation through the firm’s tax and audit practices. I was responsible for tax preparation, preparation regarding quarter reviews, and audit procedures. Besides this, I believe the main benefits I gained from this internship were the connections I made with fellow interns and insights into what my future career will look like.
Q: What are your future career goals?
A: My future career goals entail receiving a CPA designation while working in public accounting. I have an interest in taking the tax route, rather than auditing. Eventually, I would love to specialize in US corporate tax and receive a US CPA designation as well.
Grace Ingalls and her friends