Saint Mary's

Complete the 1st year BComm required courses to gain exposure to a wide range of business subjects and understand areas of majors.

Review Non-Commerce Electives Suggestions from the Faculty of Arts or Science.

Considering international business? Use some of your Non-Commerce Electives to learn a language.

Read the course outline for each of your classes. All your course information is on and .

Need extra help? Visit the Math Help Centre in SB 239 or ECON tutor sessions.

Begin the foundation of the BComm Learning Goals: Communication Skills, Information Literacy, Critical Thinking, Global Perspective, Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility and Leadership, Business Knowledge, and Competency.

Explore your options for majors and minors by attending the Programs Day across faculties in February.

Register for classes as soon as registration opens. Classes fill early!

Visit your Academic Advisor to be sure you have the right courses.

Gather information on Co-operative Education opportunities.

Develop critical thinking and writing skills by interpreting texts and offering associated effective written arguments.

Use common business software packages and programming to process and analyze data.

Learn about business management, team work, and associated presentation skills through collaborative group projects.

Identify and define business problems; use qualitative and quantitative analytical skills to solve them with a high degree of divergent thinking.

Improve your writing and thinking skills at the Writing Centre. Get expert feedback and incorporate it into your work.

Develop research skills by navigating online databases and the stacks at the Patrick Power Library. Take a .

Build a résumé at a Résumé Seminar, to prepare for internships, scholarships, and summer jobs.

Start your Co-Curricular Record. Document your acquired skills from on- and off-campus activities and volunteer work.

Attend Welcome Week. Make friends. Meet classmates, faculty, and advisors at academic orientation. Attend a session about a culture of safety and respect at Saint Mary's.

Introduce yourself to your professors after class or during office hours.

Read the BComm newsletter for current events and opportunities. Like and follow us on Instagram @SobeySchoolSMU.

Visit the Societies Fair. Explore student societies, including those that are culturally-based, before deciding which to join.

Try , a program where international students practice speaking English with Canadian students.

Stay Active. Explore SMUfit, campus sports, exercise, and recreation opportunities—no extra fees!

Apply for a scholarship. There are more than 260 available!

Need help with time management, organizational, or presentation skills? Book an Academic & Life Skills Coaching session.

Learn to budget your money. Attend a Financial Literacy workshop or get advice from Financial Aid and Awards.

Check in with Career Services to start discussing your career goals, related to your program. Experiment with different classes to see what you like.

When facing a personal crisis, get help from the Counselling Centre.

Consider courses with global themes for your electives.

Need a job? Create a HireSMU account to find available jobs.

Not from Halifax? all our cultural opportunities and have fun.

Keep current with local events. Read Pride in Your Shared Neighbourhood newsletter.

Travel while studying after 1st year. Investigate travel options beyond Canada at International Activities.

Obtain or update your passport in preparation for possible international travel.

Not from Canada? Browse Services for International Students for available support.

Attend International Night—an annual banquet showcasing SMU’s many cultures.

Complete the 2nd year BComm required courses, including COMM 2293.

Complete ACCT 2241, and declare your major in Finance through the Finance, Information Systems and Management Sciences (FISMS) Secretary.

Take FINA 2360 in your 2nd semester to prepare for upper level FINA courses.

Considering a professional career in the investment field? Understand the requirements for CFA designation.

Thinking of changing majors or minors? Attend Programs Day for help.

Visit your Academic Advisor or  to be sure you have the right courses.

Understand and reason through a wide spectrum of financial decisions.

Refine your related skills in the preparation of financial reports, tax and regulatory requirements, cash flow, management, investment, and development of information.

Sharpen your communications skills.

Upgrade your writing with at the Writing Centre or through online resources.

Learn advanced researching techniques at the Library.

Update your Co-Curricular Record to keep track of your accomplishments and set new goals.

Apply your classroom learning and improve soft skills by joining some student societies and the Commerce Society.

Sign up for Business Case Competitions to learn how to deal with real world problems. Talk with Dr. Karen Lightstone for more information.

Participate in intramurals. Demonstrate your team skills and character to future employers and admissions officers.

Browse the Scholarship List and modify your cover letter to match the criteria. Apply between February and May.

Need more academic support? Contact Personal Counselling or Academic & Life Skills Coaching.

Take the stress out of managing your cash flow, student debt, or budget. Go to SMU’s Financial Literacy programming.

Seek Career Counselling. Explore the core competencies of your major, and career possibilities related to your strengths, interests, and values.

Discover ways to give back to your community, from local to global. Come to the Volunteer Fair held every September, or speak to a Career and Employment Coach at Career Services.

Get involved with activities outside of your major and minor. Employers like well-rounded candidates.

Expand your professional networks by attending an event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, APEC, or the Greater Halifax Partnership.

Attend a LinkedIn photo shoot and a LinkedIn Seminar with Career Services. Put your best (and most professional) face forward!

Keep your HireSMU Account updated with accurate contact information and most recent résumés.

Consider applying for the Co-op Program at the beginning of 2nd year (30+ credits). Gain work experience over three terms.

Visit the International Activities office for a study-abroad program or an international field study course in 2nd - 4th years.

Explore options for international internships in your area of study.

If you chose FINA 2360 in your 2nd year, then take as you focus on the Finance program.

A minimum GPA of 2.2 is required in FINA 4463, FINA 4466, FINA 4467, and the six (6) credit-hours at the 4000-level FINA electives.

Visit your Academic Advisor to be sure you’re on the right track to meet graduation requirements.

Meet your Faculty Mentor/ for help with course selection, career advice, or certifications.

Thinking about graduate school? Contact Career Services for options and admission procedures, and begin planning for applications with your Faculty Mentor/Department Chair.

Use information systems and processes to calculate, analyze, and interpret financial data to make business decisions and solve problems.

Deepen the applications of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to help management set budgets, manage assets, or generate wealth for corporate shareholders.

Recognize that ethical practices at all levels, as well as corporate social responsibility, can impact the greater community.

Improve your research skills and grades by visiting the Library and using the Research-by-Appointment service for one-on-one help.

Visit the Writing Centre for workshops on .

Update your Co-Curricular Record.

Get to know your professors. They are excellent contacts for reference letters. Chat about your future plans for 4th year and beyond.

Attend the Research Expo. Learn from the research and critical analysis of peers and professors. Also, showcase your own research project.

Apply to become a teaching assistant in FINA 2360 or FINA 3361. Contact the Finance, Information Systems and Management Sciences (FISMS) Secretary for more information.

Participate in the IMPACT program to get practical, real-world experience in money management.

Compete at the Rotman International Trading Competition, CFA Institute Investment Research Challenge, and Montreal’s Exchange Options Trading competition.

Join campus societies in your field. These provide opportunities to network with the industry and professionals.

Run for a leadership position in a campus group.

Apply for over 200 scholarship and bursary awards.

Focus on summer or internship jobs within your major or career field of interest to gain specific experience and build credentials.

Visit the Career Development Centre for help with tactical job searches, including using social media, information interview, fine-tuning your résumé and cover letter, and practicing interview skills.

Attend the in September and March. Discover career opportunities and employer expectations.

Let your networks know your major. Seek out potential employers for information and interviews.

Learn more about CFA designation and the Canadian Securities Certificate (CSC) program.

Participate in international exchanges in Hong Kong, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Explore new designed to help international graduates gain experience in Nova Scotia.

Complete the 4th year , while transitioning to work or graduate school.

Aim to achieve a GPA of 2.2 or higher in 4th year FINA courses to complete a major in Finance.

can be used to satisfy your Finance Electives.

Complete a CAPP Degree Evaluation in Banner.

Visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Discuss SMU graduate opportunities.

Contact your Academic Advisor and Faculty Mentor/Department Chair to ensure you are on track for graduation requirements and post-graduation plan.

Apply to graduate. Fill out an application for graduation form and submit it to the Service Centre. Get your picture taken for the yearbook.

Consider graduate schools or professional programs. Start early, and ask your professors and the Writing Centre to review your personal statement, cover letter, and applications.

Request transcripts, if required.

Demonstrate the ability to collect, synthesize, and interpret information.

Use previously learned strategies to successfully negotiate with others.

Before you graduate, do a final update of your Co-Curricular Record, and request an official copy.

Visit Career Services to prepare to clearly and persuasively articulate all you have learned at Saint Mary’s (in and out of class) to an employer.

Serve as Department Student Rep. Speak to your .

Enter your best research paper for the Academic Writing Awards.

Apply for the Academic Achievement Scholarship.

Get recognized for your involvement in the classroom and in the Saint Mary’s community. Apply for the Student Leadership Award.

Apply for other awards, including the SMUFU scholarship.

Brush up on your Financial Literacy. Receive guidance for a successful and healthy financial future, including student loan repayment.

Your degree can open the door to many types of careers. Use Career Counselling to discover where you want to go and how best to get there.

Plan to attend Career Services’ 4-week Job Search Seminar Series before or after graduation.

Be prepared to apply, interview, and network when school begins, to maximize your chance of receiving some job offers before graduation. Future career opportunities include Chartered Financial Analyst, Corporate Banker, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Foreign Exchange Trader, Insurance Advisor, and Investment Manager.

Most Canadian banks, insurance companies, as well as other organizations seeking Finance majors have applications due as early as September of your 4th year.

In addition to the , attend some career fairs specific to your program. Bring your résumé. Prepare in advance to speak with recruiters and potential employers.

Apply for the program. Meet with a Halifax professional in a field of your interest.

If you are a co-op student, arrange for your final work term placement early.

Are you an international student interested in staying in Canada and receiving permanent resident status? Contact the International Centre.

Get in contact with the SMU Young Alumni Association to begin your next phase as a Santamarian.

Remember, you have access to Career Services for three years post-graduation. Use these services to help you continue to get the most out of your degree.