From the classroom to the TMX closing bell

From my first year at McMaster, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in capital markets, so being invited to give a toast at the TMX Closing Bell ceremony during the Grand Opening of the McLean Centre for Collaborative Discovery at the DeGroote School of Business was a surreal experience for me. It was one of those moments that encouraged me to step back and reflect on the opportunities DeGroote has created for students, and how these experiences have shaped my own path. 

The opening of the McLean Centre was an incredibly special occasion. The building creates a place for students across disciplines to connect and learn from one another. As finance students, so much of what we study is connected to the world beyond the classroom, and it felt particularly fitting that the two worlds came together during the event. 

I recently completed an internship and am preparing to begin my career in corporate banking, and I have gained an appreciation for how financial markets influence the work we do. Market sentiment and the performance of companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange can play an important role in assessing a company’s financial health and credit risk. Seeing that countdown clock and then ringing the bell made this work feel more tangible and meaningful. It also reminded me of the importance of experiential learning and how real-world applications enhance our learning at DeGroote. 

This experience was equally meaningful for DFIC’s our portfolio managers and analysts. Throughout the academic year, our Investment Council researches equities and other asset classes, develops investment theses, builds financial models, pitches them to advisors and makes investment decisions for the DSB-Fidelity Canada Balanced Students Investment Fund. A great deal of time and effort goes into this process. It was rewarding for our members to see the markets they spend so much time following coming to life. 

Meeting Kelsey Gunderson, a McMaster alumnus and President of Equity Trading and Head of TMX Markets Products and Services, was another highlight. It was inspiring to meet someone who has built an incredible career in the industry my colleagues and I hope to enter.  

More than anything, this experience reminded me of how much there is to gain from being involved in the DeGroote community. Through extracurricular activities and experiences, we get to explore our interests, learn from others and put our knowledge into practice. 

I am so grateful to have been part of this historic moment for the DeGroote School of Business and McMaster University. I know the McLean Centre will continue to create opportunities for students to connect with one another and with industry and discover where their own passions might take them.