Did you know 96% of CGA Alberta’s 347 newly designated members in 2012 enjoy positions like CFO, Vice President, Controller, Senior Manager, Director and Team Lead? Did you know these 414 new CGAs are employed with such organizations like EPCOR Utilities, Telus, ATB Financial, Agrium, Deloitte, Alberta Health Services and Talisman Energy? Alberta CGAs work in great jobs, enjoy great salaries and have great careers.
Find out why enrolling into the CGA Program of Professional Studies NOW will benefit you – contact us today! www.cga-alberta.org
We see more than numbers. We see success.
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Congrats to Raphael Mlynarski, who was randomly selected as our FEB. Student Poll winner!
SELECTED RESPONSES “I was on my first interview for an engineering firm and I got splashed by a puddle before I walked in. Good news was that the interviewer walked in with no shoes on because she'd broken her foot at lunch time. Allaround awkward. Good thing I got the job!” “When I was in my first year I applied to work at Chapters part time over the holidays. When I went in for an interview the interviewer asked me a series of typical interview questions which I answered without issue. The last question they asked me though was “If you were a bird what kind of bird would you be?” to which I simply responded “Why?”. I understand that questions like this, while silly, can perhaps be used in jobs where imagination or creativity is important, but to work a retail job? I don’t think so... After stumbling for an reason for a few seconds the interviewer finally just mumbled “nevermind” and asked me when I would be able to start.”
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Editors’ Note A Message from Your Editors
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BY KIRSTEN LEPAGE, ALEX MANOLII & JULIAN NG THE EDITORIAL TEAM
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arch. It’s the month when we simultaneously feel like we are so close to the end, and yet so very far. Midterm season continues (as always) and frantic plans for summer jobs, living arrangements, and undergraduate and career choices in general are at an all-time high. Nonetheless, we at Lazy Faire march on forward with yet another issue for Business students to read, to ponder and, for some, to achieve some sort of escape from daily test and homework realities.
In this issue, you’ll learn about the various upcoming events at the Alberta School of Business, and meet yet another group of Lazy Faire team members. In our reoccurring features, such as our Community Center, you’ll also get to learn more about the University of Alberta Accounting Club and its annual tax clinic where students and community members are able to have their tax returns filed for FREE. In our Clubs’ Corner, you’ll hear more about AISEC, which is arguably one of the most internationally exposed clubs (next to the Business Exchange Association, of course!) at our school. In this particular feature, we also introduce some of AI-
SEC’s brightest members, all of whom walk the halls of the Alberta SoB. Next, our Student Spotlight shines its light this month on Sameer Dhar, a third year BComm with an impressive track record of community and professional involvement, and who undeniably has a great deal of potential. To close, we offer a great deal of tips and tricks on the best way to approach research for your next paper, homework assignment or to satisfy your own curiosity with an in-depth look at the databases offered by Winspear library. After decoding these research secrets, please enjoy the last page of the issue, our Business Savvy quiz! You may be an undergraduate in the Business faculty, but just how business are you? This concludes the very last Editors’ Note of your friendly Lazy Faire Editors, Kirsten, Alex and Julian. This also marks our very last issue editing together. We would like to thank everyone for the great support this past “lazy” year and wish our incoming Editors all the success imaginable. Editors, over and out.
I MAR STUDENT POLL
What are some “MUST DO” events during your BComm degree?
Head over to lazyfairemagazine. blogspot.ca and answer the poll for a chance to win a gift card for campus vendors and be featured in next month’s issue of Lazy Faire!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
10
UAAC Tax Clinic
We sit down with UAAC and learn about its prominent event and more.
12
AIESEC
This large, interntional organization has a lot of offer students. We uncover how.
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Business Databases Where do you start, and how? We find out the answers to these questions.
Some Events to Keep in Mind - March
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Student Spotlight: Sameer Dhar
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Getting to Know the Lazy Faire Team
16
Business Databases
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Donate to 5 Days for the Homeless
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2013 Grad Banquet
10
UAAC Tax Clinic
19
LF’s Business Savvy Quiz
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Clubs’ Corner: AIESEC
*
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AN LF FIRST!
March 2013 E DITOR - I N - C H I E F
Kirsten LePage C O N T E N T E DITOR
Alex Manolii D E SI G N E DITOR
Julian Ng S E N IOR C O N TRI B U TORS
Garry Deng Kristine Gu Sherin Kayat Braden Lauer Eileen Lee
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Jessica Lee Rachel Lee Louis Liu Gabriel Nunes
P H OTO G R A P H Y
D E SI G N T E A M
O N L I N E DIR E C TOR
Colleen Do Shirley Du Ruby (Jing Ru) Gong Eileen Lee Felicia Liang David Ton-Lai Bonnie Truong Jenny Truong Jenny Wang
T H A N K S TO
Josh Le Ella Lin Carissa Tham
Alberta School of Business University of Alberta CONTACT US
lazyfaire@live.ca
Kristine Gu P RI N TI N G T H A N K S TO
Diana Wyley Xerox Canada P U B L IS H E D B Y
Business Students’ Association (BSA) bsaonline.ca
LazyFAIRE
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MISC Database Deathrace
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17
UAHRMA Conference
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18
MISC Database Deathrace BBTC Weekly Public Speaking Meeting
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BBTC Weekly Public Speaking Meeting
BBTC Public Speaking Meeting
CFA Shadow Week 5 Days for the Homeless
BBTC Weekly Public Speaking Meeting
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5
19
UAMA Lunch and Learn
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BFA Finance & Risk Management Conference
BEA Bon Voyage
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20
CFA Shadow Week 5 Days for the Homeless
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28
MISC Database Deathrace
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CFA Shadow Week 5 Days for the Homeless
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BEA Curlament
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MISC Database Deathrace
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UAMA Case Competition
BEA Drink a Small Town Dry
5 Days for the Homeless
CFA Shadow Week
UAAC Conference
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Saturday
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BSA Hockey Tournament
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Graduation Night MISC Database Deathrace
23
UAMA Case Competition
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UAHRMA Conference
UARC Case Competition NGLC Running Dinner
Friday
UARC Case Competition
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
want more detail? Head over to bsaonline.ca for full event descriPTIONS, VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, CLUB INFO AND MORE!
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CFA Shadow Week 5 Days for the Homeless
Monday
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Sunday
UARC Case Competition
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March
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SO M E E V E N TS TO K E E P I N M I N D
FOR MARCH BY GARRY DENG, SR. CONTRIBUTOR DESIGNED BY DAVID TON-LAI, DESIGN DIRECTOR
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ith the winter semester officially half over and final exams coming up, it’s not a surprise that some students have been out of the loop on the upcoming events within the Alberta School of Business. Between studying for exams and finishing projects, who has the time to check up on what’s hot and what’s not? Well, that’s what the Lazy Faire team is here for. Below are some business events that could definitely be of interest to all students in the Alberta School of Business. Take a break from studying and keep your eye out for these amazing events coming up in the month of March!
U A M A C as e Competition
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Interested in the field of marketing? Want a chance to participate in a case competition? Then look no further than the UAMA Case Competition! For two days, teams of three people will have the opportunity to work on a marketing case competition for ATB Financial in a fun, competitive environment. ATB Financial will also be offering recruitment opportunities, so take some time to network and win some awesome prizes!
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Planning to work in the industries of finance and risk management in the future? If so, then you should definitely attend the upcoming BFA Finance & Risk Management Career Conference. Professionals working in the industry will be present to speak about career perspectives while kiosks will simultaneously be set up to interact with students and recruit potential employees. Don’t pass up on this amazing opportunity!
Date: March 15, 2013 (Friday) & March 16, 2013 (Saturday)
Date: March 19, 2013 (Tuesday)
Time: March 15 (noon) & March 16 (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Location: Students’ Union Building (SUB) – Rooms 2-702 & 2-725, CAPS Resource Centre 2-100
Location: University of Alberta School of Business, ATB Financial Office (Tour) Cost: $30 - $45/ team of three people (Only 1/3 people have to be majoring in Marketing.) 6
B F A F IN A N A C E & R I S K M G M T C ON F .
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00PM
Cost: There is no cost to attend this conference. Registrations can be done online via PRMIA or CFA.
B S A S T R EE T HO C K E Y T O U R NE Y
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Who says Business students don’t have fun? The BSA is out to prove that Business students are not just all about wearing suits and doing presentations; we can be very wellrounded and active in sports too! Forget the formalities of corporate networking and enjoy a stress-free time at the BSA Street Hockey Tournament! Date: March 30, 2013 (Saturday) Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Location: Churchill Square Cost: TBD
M I S C D atabas e d e at h rac e 2 0 1 3
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Think that you will never use all the skills you learned in MIS 311 again? Well think again! The MISC has teamed up with a local business who are providing a real case for you to sink your teeth into. The MISC is hosting a Database Deathrace competition to see who can design the most elaborate database based upon a case study. Work with a group of 2-4 people to build a Microsoft Access database for the Financial Services Group to potentially win $3000! Date: Thursday 5:00 PM March 21st Monday March 25th More details @ http://uofamis.com/?page_id=13 (Or use the QR Code above.)
So why should YOU donate? Provide hope for people in disadvantaged circumstances. Help fight against homelessness. Because you can. Because you care. Positively impact the life of another.
Donate Today for 5 Days for the Homeless To Make a Difference. You may take a bed for granted, but they never will. Because they need it. To raise awareness.
Pass the act of kindness forward.
Youth are our future so invest.
5 Days for the Homeless is a local initiative by Alberta School of Business students intended to increase awareness of homelessness and raise donations for local charities supporting the homeless and at-risk youth. Donate online: http://5days.ca/alberta/ + Help spread awareness: Follow us on Twitter: @5D4H_Edmonton Like us on Facebook: 5 Days for the Homeless - Edmonton, AB 7
LazyFAIRE GETTING TO KNOW THE TEAM
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very issue this year, the Lazy Faire has chosen to feature a few members of our hardworking Lazy Faire team. Each month they all play a major part in rolling out the wonderful 20 pages that you are holding in your hands, whether by conducting the interviews, writing the content, designing the pages, or taking the wonderful photos that add life to the magazine. Most importantly, they are interesting Business students! After reading more about them, we hope you’ll agree!
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BY LOUIS LIU, SR. CONTRIBUTOR DESIGNED BY JULIAN NG, DESIGN EDITOR
JESSICA LEE
JING RU (RUBY) GONG
COLLEEN DO
Senior Contributor Tell us a little bit about yourself. I am currently in my fifth year at the School of Business with a major in Accounting and a minor in SMO. I recently just joined Lazy Faire as a content writer and I have enjoyed seeing the many initiatives we are taking as students. I am a huge food guru and I love exploring different cultures through the unique restaurants we have in Edmonton.
Design Tell us a little bit about yourself. I am in my first year of Business as an Accounting major and Finance minor. I am a designer for the LF team. I like drawing, travelling and sports such as tennis, swimming, horseback riding and skiing. Sometimes though, I’d rather stay at home for a whole day and watch movies!
Design Tell us a little bit about yourself. Hi! My name is Colleen Do. I am a third year Business student majoring in Accounting. I am currently on a coop work term at KBR Canada Ltd as a Finance Associate Analyst. I joined the Lazy Faire team last winter term as a Design Director. Outside of school, I really enjoy baking and cooking. I love experimenting with and substituting ingredients to prepare healthier options that still taste just as good as classic recipes would.
Aspirations after the School of Business? After I graduate I would like to pursue my Chartered Accountant Designation. Through my articling, I would then have a better idea of what I want to do with my designation (whether to go into industry or public practice), with hopefully some travelling in between! Why did you choose LF? I chose LF because I think it’s a great way for students to express themselves. As well, it’s a great way to meet new people whether in LF or outside of it.
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Why did you choose LF? Being a designer was one of my childhood dreams and it is still very attractive to me now, and Lazy Faire provides me a great opportunity to become a designer. Lazy Faire also gives me a chance to meet more people and make friends! Moreover, I feel that I am more involved in the School of Business now that I am a designer. If you could choose to have any super-power, what would it be and why? I hope I could know what would happen in the future. I would not be stuck in a dilemma when making decisions, I would not lose sight of what I should cherish, and I would not miss great opportunities. Therefore, there would be less regrets in my life.
If you could choose to have any super-power, what would it be and why? I would want to have the ability to travel through time and into the past. I want to revisit my happiest memories and go through certain things that I overlooked. I do not, however, want to travel into the future. I believe that the future should not be already determined, but that it is up to me to create and strive for. Perhaps some would say that revisiting and lingering on the past is not the best idea, but I really want to go back and revisit choices I have once made and revaluate myself to grow into the best person I can be. What are your aspirations for after graduation? My short term plans after completing my BComm degree is to pursue a CMA/CPA designation. I also want to travel to Asia and the Mediterranean to experience the local food and culture.
Design Tell us about some of your favorite hobbies! Outside of school, one of my favorite hobbies is playing guitar. I started learning in high school and I play when I have some spare time. I hope one day to be in a band with some close friends and write music and perform for others. Why did you choose LF? I chose to participate in LF because I really like the idea of a magazine focused around the Faculty of Business and the exciting things that students in the faculty are a part of. Being a designer for LF has allowed me to learn how to design and have a better eye for layouts. It has also helped me meet new and interesting people that are also in the Faculty of Business.
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If you could choose to have any super-power, what would it be and why? If I could choose to have any super-power, it would have to be the ability to teleport anywhere in the world. I love travelling but hate the hassle and cost of air travel. If I could teleport anywhere in the world, I would be able work in energetic business environments during the day and after work I could teleport back to my home in a scenic, peaceful, small town.
JENNY TRUONG Design Tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is Jenny and I am a 4th year Accounting, Co-op student with a minor in MIS. On the Lazy Faire team, I am a design director and VP internal for the University of Alberta Accounting Club. I have a strange love for owls lately and I enjoy watching ELLEN...sometimes, I get too caught up with her videos that I forget to study. Oops. Why did you choose LF? My friend, Karolina Zheng, was the previous editor-in-chief for LF and needed help with the magazine. Since I wanted to become more involved within the School of Business, joining Lazy Faire was a great opportunity to start. I met new friends and improved my design skills.
RACHEL LEE
FELICIA LIANG
Senior Contributor Tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is Rachel and I am a first year Business student majoring in Marketing, and with a minor in Philosophy. I was born in Korea and came to Canada when I was in grade six. I love travelling and I hope to go to Europe before I enter the workforce.
Design Tell us a little bit about yourself. I am a first year Business student with a major in Finance and a minor in Marketing. I recently joined the LF team as a design director. I enjoy graphic designing and do it as a hobby, but this is my first time designing for a magazine. I have learned a lot so far and it has been really fun!
Aspirations after the School of Business? After obtaining my BComm degree, I hope to attend law school and pursue a career in that field. I still haven't decided the specific type of law I want to go into - I'm debating between international, criminal or corporate law.
Are you involved with any clubs outside of LF? Like I mentioned, I really enjoy designing, so I am also the Director of Marketing-Design on the ISSS. It is actually the FA for science, but I was part of the team last year, so I decided to join it again this year even though I am a Business student now! I am responsible for the visual marketing material for all the events and programs of the organization.
If you could choose to have any super-power, what would it be and why? If you could choose to have any super-power, If I could have any super-power I want to have the ability to learn and know anything instantly. what would it be and why? It would be the ability to fly. I have never been Maybe I'm under the influence of the exam seaoutside North America (I know, so disappointing) son, but I could really use the ability to instantly and would love to see new sights. Plus, it’s inex- learn finance right now. pensive!
Tell us about some of your favorite hobbies! Outside of school, I enjoy oil painting, taking photos, and travelling. I am actually applying to go on exchange next year, so hopefully that will work out!
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COM M U NI TY CE NTE R
Tax Clinic BY SHERIN KAYAT, SR. CONTRIBUTOR DESIGNED BY JENNY TRUONG, DESIGN DIRECTOR
It’s that fantastic time of the year again when students and faculty members alike have the pleasure of getting their tax returns done! Thankfully for the Alberta School of Business, the University of Alberta Accounting Club (UAAC) generously invests its time and energy in organizing their annual Tax Clinic – an initiative that helps make all our lives a tad bit easier. The Lazy Faire recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Jason Lau, a fourth year international student from Hong Kong and current VP Tax for UAAC, in order to learn a bit more about the event. 10
Can you give us a general overview of what a student can expect from the Tax Clinic? The Tax Clinic starts from March 4 to March 23 and is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30am to 4:30pm in the Business-Tory Atrium. We help students and low-income individuals file their tax returns free of charge. Our Tax Clinic runs on a drop-in basis where students who have their documents ready can come to see us anytime during our operating hours. We will have receptionists there to guide students to a volunteer tax preparer to complete the tax return. Although our Tax Clinic runs three weeks during March, I would highly recommend that students come during the first two weeks. The last week has traditionally been extremely busy. In previous years, there have been long lines formed outside of the clinic and some have had to wait up to an hour to be helped. Since the case for each individual is unique, the required documentation may differ. The most common documentations that we students should bring include:
%SIN Card and one piece of government issued photo ID %USB Flash Drive (to save the copy of your completed
return)
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Prior year’s Notice of Assessment (NOA), if you have filed a return in previous years
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Form T2202A, this is the tax slip regarding tuition amounts (don’t let the form numbers scare you though, it’s actually on your Bear Tracks – ready to be printed off)
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Bus pass receipts, including U-pass (also available on Bear Tracks)
%Form T4, you get this from your employer if you have
What do you think is the greatest benefit that students can obtain by volunteering at the tax clinic? The greatest benefit a student can get from this is to be able to give back to their local community. Students are helping others not only by lending an extra hand, but also by applying their classroom knowledge in a real world setting. Our volunteers take on a huge responsibility; each individual’s return is completely in their hands. Volunteers need to pay attention to detail. The tax return must be complete and free of errors since one single entry in the tax software can make a huge difference in the return they would receive. Also, volunteers have access to confidential client information. Confidentiality becomes huge part of what we expect from our volunteers. At the end of the day, this is what makes our tax clinic unique.
Apart from the tax clinic, how else can students get involved with UAAC? There are many different opportunities for interested students to be involved with UAAC. For instance, we have a long running Tutor Registry which is an excellent resource for students seeking assistance in accounting courses and for anyone interested in helping fellow students succeed. Please contact us at uaac@ualberta.ca if you wish to volunteer at any event. For students interested in joining UAAC's Executive Team--remember, the more events we see you at, the more likely we will remember you during your interview. Turnover occurs in January of every year. The Tax Clinic is just one way that the students at the School of Business give back to their community. Since just about everyone needs to submit their taxes, why not take advantage of this opportunity and the knowledge of the Tax Clinic volunteers? We’ll see you there!
UAAC Executive Team 2013
been working during 2012
%Form T4A, if you have received scholarships, awards, etc. For more information, students can visit our website www.uaac.ca
Is volunteering restricted to accounting majors or can any student volunteer their time? Although the majority of our volunteers are accounting students, we do not require our volunteers to be accounting majors/minors nor to have prior tax knowledge (we provide training). This year, we recruited about 180 student volunteers. Our team consists of around 145 tax preparers, 20 supervisors and 15 receptionists. Most students choose to become tax preparers in order to receive training from us and the Canada Revenue Agency. The supervisors are the ones who have more advanced tax knowledge to handle more complex cases, and we also have receptionists who are essential to maintaining the tax clinic organized – especially during busy times.
Tracy Kong - President
Rohan Mittal - VP Finance
Taylor Diakun - VP Academic
Jennifer Truong - VP Internal
Michael Ma - VP Communications
Jason Lau - VP Tax
Arthur Lee - VP Events
Jessica Thai - Director Events
Stefan Kruhlak - VP External
Wendy Cai - Director Tax
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o CLUB S CO R NE R
AIESEC
BY RACHEL LEE, SR. CONTRIBUTOR DESIGNED BY FELICIA LIANG, DESIGN DIRECTOR
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or this issue of Lazy Faire, AIESEC was selected as the Business club to be featured in the Clubs’ Corner segment of our magazine. Although AIESEC is not strictly comprised of Business students, Business students still make up a significant portion of the Edmonton chapter, and the club is located in the Business Lounge of the School of Business. Being an international organization, students involved with AIESEC truly have unique opportunities – especially in the area of global internships. In order to gain an accurate grasp of the club, we interviewed three representatives on their unique experience with AIESEC.
INTERVIEW WITH IDEL RIEMER (PRESIDENT)
What is your vision and plan for AIESEC during your term as the president?
Tell us what AIESEC is about, what it stands for and its history.
In December, we were awarded the local committee of the year out of 28 committees in Canada. I want to accomplish this again next year and strengthen our committee even further by empowering all the current members of AIESEC. We have a lot of energy and excitement left over from our National Congress in December so I want to make the most out of this energy. Although we are internationally renowned, we seem to have less of a presence at the University of Alberta, so this is something that I also want to change this year.
AIESEC is the world’s largest student run non-profit organization that facilitates global internships. We have over 100,000 members worldwide and we’ve been in existence since 1948. AIESEC was created after WWII by a group of people who saw the devastation of the World Wars. They created the mission “peace and fulfillment of human kind’s potential” and hoped to fulfill it by facilitating global internships. Through the internships, the founders hoped that the exposure to different cultures would widen people’s perspectives and understandings of each other. Today AIESEC has grown into a powerful international organization and still strives toward this goal.
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Tell us a little more about the internships that you facilitate. What are the requirements to be eligible for an internship? As long as you are a student, you are eligible to apply (there are no faculty restrictions). Different positions might require certain skills specific to the industry,
PHOTO CR E DI T: AI ES EC
but this really depends on which program, country and position you want to apply for. There are two different programs that you can participate in: 1.
2.
Global Internship Program (GIP) •
Paid internships, eligible for COOP credits
•
Must be available to work for 6-18 months
Global Community Development Program (GCDP) •
Volunteer opportunities, not eligible for COOP credits
•
Must be available to work for 6 weeks to 3 months, no skills required
If you have any questions regarding internships, please contact Carmen at cdam@ualberta.ca. What are typical internships like? The experience really depends on which program you apply for. For Global Internship Programs, there are a lot of opportunities in event management, marketing, ecommerce, teaching English and IT related positions. For Global Community Development programs, there are a lot of opportunities related to teaching English, community development, environmental awareness and entrepreneurship.
INTERVIEW WITH LANA MATTICE (INTERNSHIP PARTICIPANT) Lana, please tell us about your internship experience. I worked for New Oriental, one of the most famous private English schools in China. I was the language and culture exchange facilitator and I did everything from planning the curriculum to teaching English. It was an amazing experience since I established a close connection with the Chinese students. They always wanted to hang out with me after class, and I learned so much about their culture on this internship. What is so special about internships through AIESEC?
much support in every step of the process. Whether you’re looking for an internship position, learning how to use the transit at your internship destination or even looking for a place to go grocery shopping, members of AIESEC will always be there to help you. Unlike some internship opportunities where you are left on your own in a foreign country, AIESEC members at the exchange destination will truly become your family away from home!
INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE LAM (AIESEC MEMBER OF THE YEAR) Briefly tell us about your involvement in AIESEC. I joined AIESEC in September 2011 as a member of the Corporate Relations portfolio. In April 2012, I was selected as VP Logistics of the Organizing Committee for AIESEC Canada’s 2013 National Congress (NC). NC was a 5-day leadership development conference that brought together around 280 AIESEC students across Canada. What did you gain out of the AIESEC experience? How did AIESEC change who you are? I think the most important thing I’ve gotten out of AIESEC is the relationships I’ve built with others in the organization. AIESEC is really unique in that it’s a worldwide organization run by students, for students. It changed who I am because it taught me one thing: JFDI. In other words, it has taught me to reach out to new opportunities. Please tell us about other projects/extracurricular activities you are involved in. On the side, I started something called Project Three Six Five this past October. For 365 days, I will be doing something kind for someone else, taking a photo of it, and posting it on the webpage (threesixfive.ca). The project centers on creating positive connections with others through daily acts of kindness. I am now in the process of coming up with creative ways of getting others involved with the project. Please feel free to share an act of kindness story on the Facebook page!
AIESEC is different from other internship opportunities in that you receive so 13
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Sameer Dhar BY JESSICA LEE, SR. CONTRIBUTOR DESIGNED BY BONNIE TRUONG, DESIGN DIRECTOR
A
s you must all know by now, each month the Lazy Faire team selects one outstanding School of Business student to feature in our Student Spotlight section. Whether a recent graduate or someone that you can still see in the hallways of the School of Business, this individual has generally undergone some unique professional or personal experiences which are of interest to both current undergraduate students and other readers of this publication. For the month of March, we chose to feature Sameer Dhar. This opportunity allowed us to sit down with Sameer and find out more about his very own non-profit charity called Geomeer. As well, he was able to provide some wise advice for current U of A students based on his numerous experiences. Here’s what he had to say: Tell us a little about yourself and your involvement with the School of Business. I am in my third year of Business and I am currently majoring in finance with a minor in political science. Within the School of Business, I have been involved in case competitions such as the Live Conference, EDGE, and most recently the McDonough Hilltop Case Competition in Washington, D.C. that focused on not-for-profit organizations. Other than that, I am also a part of the Leadership Certificate Program, which is the SoB’s newest initiative that gives students a unique and enriching opportunity to develop leadership skills from a theoretical as well as practical standpoint. Outside of school, I am really involved within the local communities of Alberta through the establishment of my nationally registered non-profit organization, Geomeer. Geomeer was cofounded in 2010 and has grown exponentially since, raising over $460,000 in monies and goods since inception. Although Geomeer has taken up a lot of my time, it has without a doubt been a rewarding journey, because giving back as much as I can is of the utmost importance to me. As a finance major, I understand you have had plenty of experience from working at Clairvest in private equity, Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo.), and I understand that you will now be working in investment banking with Morgan Stanley in Toronto this summer. What did you learn from these experiences? As well, how did you deal with the challenges of integrating what is taught in school and work? I learned that what excites me the most and what has helped me to accomplish my goals is building relationships. It is important for me to have genuine relationships with people and being able to help others achieve their goals is also very important. Another thing I have learned is that being motivated for the right reasons, and then translating that passion through hard work and perseverance (despite what the odds might be) into action is critical to success both in business and in life. Transitioning from school to work can sometimes be a challenge because it’s a new environment and you are doing things in different circumstances. School
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teaches you to think critically and gives you frameworks for approaching different situations that present themselves in the workplace, but at the end of the day, nothing beats real experience. However, with hard work, dedication, and a passion for what you’re doing, you can continually adapt and be successful. Give us a little more background on Geomeer and its mission. Geomeer is a non-profit organization that catalyzes initiatives to support local families in dire need, providing them with enough necessities to last for several months. Our goal is to encourage communities to recognize the need that exists amongst them and provide the link through which their contributions can create change. Our first project, Helping Hampers was designed to facilitate personal connections between students and local families in need and it united classes together in their efforts to provide basic necessities for identified families in need. About two summers ago, Geomeer launched its second project – Suit Up! This event provided elementary and junior high students in dire need with gift cards and two hours to purchase back-to-school clothing at Old Navy. This helped to take the financial burden off their families and allowed them to reallocate funds towards other needs. The Suit Up! event was very successful and has become another annual campaign. Both these projects are extremely rewarding as we are not focused on providing a “band-aid” solution, but rather we are aiming to help families in the long run. Geomeer has had significant impact on improving the communities within Alberta. What was your motivation behind starting Geomeer? As a VP on Student Council during my Grade 12 year of high school, one of the mandates was a holiday season fundraising project. What was typically done throughout the previous years was a food bank drive. That year, we decided to do something a little differently through the “Helping Hampers Project.” This project raised $16,000 for eight families in dire need, and provided a more personal touch to the fundraising experience, as the demographic of each family was provided (Mom - 41, Boy - 4, etc), and families were picked from our feeder schools, bringing home the point that these families “could be your neighbors”. When it comes down to it, the success of this project motivated me to create Geomeer for a few reasons. One was the difference that we made in the lives of
the families that we helped. $2,000 or a truckload worth of goods going to each family, enough to sustain them for a period of months, made a real difference in their lives. It allowed many of them to pay off their bills, and get back on their feet. A second reason was the impact this project had on my high school. To see an entire student body mobilized towards helping those in need within our local community was a surreal experience for me. It was probably here that I truly appreciated the impact of empowering people to work towards a cause greater than themselves - isn’t this how we build “communities of caring”? Lastly, working with an outstanding executive team on GEOMEER has been central to our success. Some of the most talented, passionate individuals comprise our organization, and this is something I am extremely proud of. I understand that with many accomplishments come many challenges along the way. How do you face these challenges? Time has always been a challenge. Working part-time at AIMCo, running Geomeer, trying to keep my grades up, and nurturing my personal relationships has always been a balancing act (with exceptionally fine lines, I might add!). I’ve also realized that it’s important to fit in time for myself to have fun. I enjoy playing tennis, reading, meeting new people, and hanging out with friends and family. These activities are equally important when growing as an individual. However, at the end of the day, the biggest questions I continually ask myself
are: Am I engaging in activities that I’m passionate about? And while I engage in these activities, am I actively giving back and making a difference in the lives of others? Making sure that the answer to both these questions is “yes” helps get me through the tough times. Lastly, what are some goals and aspirations you have once you graduate? One of my passions is finance, and as such, I am intent upon starting my career in investment banking. My goal in the short to medium term is to build a career in the private sector, to gain useful skills and to continue to grow meaningful relationships. My ultimate goal in the longer term, however, is to use those skills and relationships for public service. I firmly believe that public service is the highest endeavor one can commit to. I have a keen interest in politics, but I am also interested in the non-profit sector. I know that there are certain challenges when considering politics as a career, but I believe that if done right, it’s a great way to serve the public and really make a difference. From my experience, I have learned that the most important thing in life is giving back to others. You will never feel as happy as when you make a difference in the lives of others, even if it’s just with one person. I am intent upon preserving this mentality as I go forward. 15
Tools for Success: BY KRISTINE GU, SR. CONTRIBUTOR DESIGNED BY EILEEN LEE, DESIGN DIRECTOR
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usiness databases are treasure troves of knowledge, insight, and statistics that can be applicable to a whole assortment of situations and uses, including for research done by companies and students alike. These are not only great places to find answers and accurate data for projects, but a potential way to start an investigation process by exploring areas or subjects that you are interested in. At the School of Business, we are fortunate enough to be able to view thousands of publications and market data pieces. These are resources, indexes, and abstracts that companies pay large amounts to access on a yearly basis. The Winspear Business Library holds access to one of the best business database collections in Canada that serves to satisfy your thirst for knowledge in any subject. Coverage ranges from insight on marketing trends to trustworthy reports on patents and trademarks—these databases are an assemblage of specialized material from regions around the world! Still, not everyone knows where to start when trying to master these useful tools. For this article, the goal will be to provide an overview of some key databases, their contents as well as ways that you can maximize your access to them while at the School of Business. ABI Inform Global has information dating back to the 1970s and has indexed articles from over a thousand different publications that cover top-
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ics both inside and outside of business. Another all-encompassing business database is Business Source Complete; providing full texts from reputable sources, BSC also offers comprehensive SWOT analyses. For those interested in international business, databases like Business Monitor International specialize in information on emerging markets, offering analyses on global economic forecasts, industry sector risks and operating environments, etc. from regions such as Western Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The Economic Intelligence Unit goes into further detail on political, economic, and legal risk factors for over 150 countries, as well as detailed analyses on these countries. If you’re looking for information on accounting and taxation, sites like Accounting Research Manager will provide information on accounting standards, while Mergent Online provides international coverage on company financials (e.g. such as balance sheets and annual reports). Databases are great for both academic and professional research; if you’re going in for an interview, for example, browse beyond the company site and into databases to develop a better feel on where the company wants to go and how you fit in.
Business Databases “Databases are much like this, but they strengthen your mind instead of your muscles!” are looking for.
The Winspear Canadian Industry Database is a unique tool local to the faculty and is focused on assisting the research needs of individuals here at the U of A. The database collects information on industries and provides coverage specifically for the Albertan and Canadian sectors. Many databases offer full texts from newspapers and magazines such as the Economist, the Financial Post, etc. Factiva includes publications from Canadian and American newspapers, journals and analyst reports, and newswires. In particular, Factiva is useful for those investigating business in the U.S. as it provides publications from U.S. government departments, information on state laws and regulations, and congressional committee hearings. While we’ve listed some of the top players in the business database community, there are hundreds of databases waiting to be explored. While each database is unique and may provide insight on specific topics, the method to search for articles and to sift out out-dated or unrelated articles can be very similar. It can be daunting at first to learn how to navigate and use the search functions but once you develop your own method, you can quickly sort through the information to find exactly what you
Think of it like your first time at the gym: the equipment can be complicated to use and you might feel deterred at first, but the benefits it can have for your body should spur you on! Eventually you become a master of the trade and cannot imagine working out without these helpful devices. Databases are much like this, but they strengthen your mind instead of your muscles! It is worth mentioning that the Winspear Business Library has the personnel, knowledge, and expertise to guide you through the process of becoming familiar with these tools. The main database page is easy to navigate, allowing you to browse databases by subject and listing top locations for information. If you have any questions or would like to receive inperson assistance, the staff members at the library are skilled and more than willing to help. You can also visit the BizFAQ site (http://winspearfaq.library.ualberta.ca/kb/) to view commonly asked questions or to submit your own. Organized by category, BizFAQ can guide you in the right direction by suggesting top databases that align with your area of research. In addition to listing sites that provide information on specific topics such as anti-money laundering legislation in Canada, BizFAQ provides links to sites that contain information on industry salaries, business standards, designations, and more. Finally, try some different methods of keyword filtering and remind yourself to visit at least three different databases for your research. If you want to use these resources to their full potential, don’t be afraid to play around and ask for help. That way, you can turn every assignment, personal research project or case into a real “work out”!
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Alberta School of Business 2013 Grad Banquet
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BY GARRY DENG, SR. CONTRIBUTOR DESIGNED BY COLLEEN DO, DESIGN DIRECTOR
Calling all April to-be-graduates! As your graduation draws closer and closer, allow the Lazy Faire team to direct
your attention to the Alberta School of Business 2013 Grad Banquet! The banquet is an amazing opportunity for you to celebrate your achievements with your family and friends before entering into the next stage of your lives and embarking on a whole new journey. DETAILS ON THE BANQUET Date: March 23, 2013 (Saturday) Time: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM, After-party starts at 10:00 PM Location: The Westin – BC, Alberta, Yukon, Saskatchewan Rooms and the Northwest Foyer (10135 100 St) Cost: $75.00/ Individual Ticket (Limit of 6) Activities: On top of an impressive meal prepared by the award-winning chefs at The Westin Edmonton, graduates will be addressed by faculty and alumni throughout the evening. As they have once travelled a similar path, graduates will be able to listen and learn from those who have set out on their own, just as they are about to start a new journey as well. Highlighting the evening’s activities, graduates will also have the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker, Hugh Bolton. Having graduated from the University of Alberta with a lifetime of distinguished experiences under his belt, graduates are sure to be inspired by his words. Finally, there is also an after-party following the banquet. Buses will be picking graduates up from the Westin Hotel at around roughly 10:00 PM and from there, heading off to an undisclosed bar/pub to end the night.
INTERVIEW
Additionally, Lazy Faire also had the opportunity to conduct a short interview with this year’s grad director, Carver DeLeeuw. Here are his opinions on the upcoming Alberta School of Business 2013 Grad Banquet: Why should students attend the Alberta School of Business 2013 Grad Banquet? Hugh Bolton is a pioneer in the business world, and hearing his words of wisdom is a special and unique opportunity that we are extremely happy to provide. Not only are we excited about Hugh, but it’s also your graduation! This is what we’ve been working towards for the past 4-5 years. I think it would be a mistake to pass up the opportunity to come out and celebrate what has been a wonderful degree and an undoubtedly endless amount of hard-work. It’s the final hoorah, a chance to say good-bye to your friends before you embark on your journey into the real world. Bring your friends, bring your family, or just bring yourself, either way we’re honoured to celebrate our achievements with you.
What would be the best thing about attending the Alberta School of Business 2013 Grad Banquet? Without a doubt, the best thing would be the chance to celebrate the last 4-5 years of your life. Graduating from university is something that everyone should be proud of. From the time that you landed in your first year and were thrown into 300 person classes, to the case competitions, to the business plans, to the finance classes, to everything that you did over your degree, now is the time to be proud of yourself and celebrate all that you have accomplished. You may never see some of these people again, while others will be lifelong friends. I strongly encourage everyone to come and celebrate with the likewise of both parties. For some, graduation can be a bittersweet thing. One thing is certain though: the evening of the banquet will embody a medley of emotions as you and your fellow graduates share some final laughs and tears together. Before setting out on a new direction in your life, take the time to put on your finest suits and cocktail dresses, shine your shoes and just enjoy each other’s company. Take matters into your own hands and prepare to celebrate together one last time; this may be goodbye for some, but for others it may just be the beginning.
Here is the link to purchase Grad Banquet Tickets: https://asob.inviteright.com/busgrad2013 And here is the link for Grad Photos: http://www.imagesofdistinction.net/scheduler/index.php?cap=43 Also, here is the link for the Grad Banquet Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/330235000424298/?fref=ts
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How Business Savvy Are You? V
BY BRADEN LAUER, SR. CONTRIBUTOR DESIGNED BY SHIRLEY DU, DESIGN DIRECTOR
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ave you ever wondered if you could be the next Steve Jobs? Do you have the skills to be a millionaire like Richard Branson? Lazy Faire presents the first ever School of Business “business savvy” quiz: a quiz to show where you stack up in the world of business. Don’t worry though, the results from this test are not proven to work 100% of the time. For every question, choose the answer that applies most to you. When you have completed the quiz check your answers with the key at the bottom of the page to see how many “savvy” points you scored. The more points you accrue the more business savvy you are! Read the points profile to see what type of business person you are.
4. You are out for a meeting over drinks with a colleague. Which drink do you order? a) A fine wine b) Milk c) The cheapest beer on the menu d) Diet Dr. Pepper 5. Which personality type do you most identify with?
6. Do you have a personal account (portfolio stocks)?
Key:
a) Driver - Strong willed and assertive b) Promoter – Talkative and enthusiastic, comfortable with change c) Supporter – Dependable and supportive d) Analyzer – Perfectionists, detailed, work within the rules
1 A=2 B=4 C=0 2 A=2 B=3 C=0 D=4 3 A=1 B=2 C=4 D=0 4 A=4 B=1 C=1 D=1 5 A=4 B=4 C=4 D= 4 6 A=4 B=1 C=2 D=3 7 A=0 B=4 C=4 D=1
a) The only case I did was in Bus 201 b) One case only, and it was hosted by the University of Alberta c) More than one case hosted at a number of different universities d) I am a master briefcase creator, and have been in competitions where you make briefcases
9-0 points: You don’t even go here!@!!12
3. Have you ever attempted a case competition?
a) Shy away, new people are scary b) Give them your business card, and exchange it for theirs c) Shake their hand with a firm hand shake, with strong eye contact, and get their card d) Only talk about yourself, and let the new person know how awesome you are
19-10 points: You are slightly inclined towards business. There are some key pieces that you are missing at this point but there is room to grow. You read the Lazy Faire though and this will help you connect with the School of Business and to move up a business savvy level.
a) Facebook / Twitter b) LinkedIn c) Nexopia d) A and B as well as a real life social network
7. What do you do when you meet new people?
24-20 points: You are a business person. This is good! You may need to push to be the super successful business person you always wanted to be. Don’t stop believing!
2. Which type of social network do you use?
27-25 points: You are a business mogul. You have a personal brand equity that not many people achieve in the world of business and it will bring you far. You must keep up a hard working attitude to get to where you want in the business world, but it isn’t going to be very hard with that charm you’re exuding.
a) Once b) At least one for every year of school I have attended c) What is a conference?
a) I trade call options on margin b) My debit card collects 1% interest… c) I passively hold the index / hold mutual funds d) I actively invest in a diversified basket
28 points: You are the next coming of Steve Jobs. A mixture of smart, sociable and determined, you will very likely succeed in everything you do. It is important that you learn to balance your business life with the rest of your life so that you do not just become taken over by your job.
1. Have you attended any business conferences?
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The one thing that never changes is our values. We succeed through satisfied customers. We value our employees. We deliver quality and excellence in all we do. We require premium return on assets. We use technology to develop market leadership. We behave responsibly as a corporate citizen. –Joseph C. Wilson, Xerox Founder, 1961
Last year across Canada 170 new grads joined our team. Find out why findyourXfactor.com. Xerox is a proud sponsor of the University of Alberta BSA.
© 2012 Xerox Corporation. All rights reserved. Xerox®, Xerox and Design® and Ready For Real Business are trademarks of Xerox Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Xerox Canada Ltd. is the licensee of all the trademarks.