Great Grads 2019: Hannah Finlan, BIB/19
On June 10, we will celebrate the class of 2019 as our newest graduates cross the Carleton University Convocation stage to receive their degrees. To make this special occasion, we’ve asked some of our grads to reflect on their time in the Sprott School of Business.
Hannah Finlan is graduating from the Bachelor of International Business with a concentration in Global Financial Systems and a Minor in German. Hannah is also awarded a Senate Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement, With High Distinction.
If you could choose one word to sum up your time at Sprott, what is it and why?
This is a really difficult question; I think I’d go with the word diversified. Not only because I’m in finance, but because I think Sprott has so much to offer and I was able to take advantage of so many different opportunities whether it was networking, studying abroad, community involvement or exciting course offerings.
What were your goals when you started at Sprott? Did you achieve them?
Work hard, don’t limit yourself and get out of your comfort zone!
I like to think that I achieved these goals! I was able to do well academically while still working as a Campus Tour Guide, being a Teaching Assistant for three courses in one semester and being a Director on the Sprott Business Student Society (SBSS). Hard work does pay off!
In addition, I think learning German and living abroad in Vienna, Austria for a year really pushed me to gain a global perspective but a better understanding of myself.
What is your favourite Sprott memory?
I’d have to say my year abroad in Vienna, Austria. While studying, I was able to visit 18 countries and 43 cities, in addition to improving my German. I was fortunate enough to be a BIB Blogger for Sprott so if you want to learn more of my adventures, you can check them out!
What was your favourite course or professor?
Derivatives with Dr. Yuriy Zabolotnyuk or Applied Corporate Finance with Graham Edwards. These were two of the more difficult courses but were incredibly engaging and rewarding because of these two professors. I really enjoyed all of my finance classes, in fact, I always referred to it as FUN-ance (I know, terrible pun but it works so well).
What was the most important lesson you learned during your time at Sprott?
To branch out and be open to everything! I think a lot of the time people come into university with a set idea of what they want to do and may not pay attention to opportunities in other fields. I think Sprott really puts effort into hosting events and offering courses that give students the opportunities to learn about things that they may have otherwise not decided to look into. In that sense, I learned to remain very open minded and I think my exchange helped with that as well.
What will you miss the most?
The community! When I moved from Calgary, I knew absolutely no one and I found the Sprott community to be so welcoming! I’ll miss walking on to the seventh floor of Dunton Tower and saying hi to everyone!
What’s next for you?
At the time of writing, I will be starting a new career in Commercial Banking! Long term goals include pursuing my CFA and my MBA and maybe even my PhD.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the Sprott community?
I’d just like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone at Sprott including students, faculty, staff and others who made my experience (and I’m sure others’), such a positive one. I have always been proud to call myself a Sprottie and will continue to as an alumna.
To all Sprott students – if you have a chance to study abroad… DO IT!
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