Author Archive
From Vancouver to New York and back to Stanley Park: The life of a financial risk management student
Posted by: Elif Boz in Student Life on June 8th, 2011
It’s almost been 10 months since I started the SFU Beedie Master of Financial Risk Management (FRM) program. I have been feeling a strange mixture of relief, anxiety, and depression at the thought that I’ll be graduating from the program soon. It seems like only yesterday that I landed at Vancouver International Airport anticipating an exciting year ahead. But on the other hand, I feel like I have a new group of friends that I have known for years.
This semester, I have another five courses. One of them includes my final project, where I get to work together with my supervisors. Even with the heavy workload, I’m trying to engage in more extracurricular activities and networking events.
The SFU Beedie SIAS Fund Team presenting at their Q1 2011 Presentation
The SFU Beedie Student Investment Advisory Service (SIAS) Team had our 2011 Quarter 1 presentation last week and it was a great success. These presentations are a great way to meet industry professionals and broaden our network. Some of my classmates found their internships this way. The benefits of an internship are quite clear: an opportunity to apply what we learn in the classroom, experience a new field and most importantly, land a job offer after the internship.
I also had the opportunity to visit New York for a week as a member of the SIAS team. Students who have been actively involved in the student-run investment fund can apply for this trip to meet with executives, visit trading desks and learn about the operations of various firms. This is a great reward for the student contributions to SIAS, the MFRM program and the Beedie School of Business. I believe that the experience gained from participating in SIAS makes us great ambassadors for our program.
The SFU Beedie Team competing at Corporate Champions Vancouver 2011
Finally, Corporate Championships Vancouver is an annual multi-sports challenge for organizations big and small. Some students in my class have been preparing for this championship by playing soccer, basketball and volleyball. It is a true class bonding experience and everyone has a fantastic time. I’ll be cheering for Team SFUMBA!
I am anxious to explore Vancouver this summer. There is so much do to and see such as rollerblade the seawall around Stanley Park and relax on the beach at English Bay.
It promises to be an exciting final term!
Politics, business, and the U-Pass: Get to know the Graduate Student Society
Posted by: Elif Boz in Student Life on April 20th, 2011
After a successful campaign, I was elected to be the Operations and Finance Officer of Graduate Student Society (GSS). GSS is a student-run, not-for-profit organization, and the official representative body for all Masters and PhD students at SFU. The GSS represents over 4,400 graduate students for SFU’s decision-making bodies.
On March 13 - 21st of 2011, graduate students at SFU voted in the GSS Officer Election. There were 3 positions, Coordinating & External Relations Officer, Academic & Internal Relations and Operations & Finance Officer. During this electoral undertaking, there were 4,415 total registered graduate students that were eligible to vote. A total of 564 graduate students voted in the Officer Elections, representing a 13% voter turn-out. This election had the highest voter turnout in its three-year history. Much of which I believe, came from the graduate students from the Beedie School of Business . As a Business Graduate student, I am grateful to be a representative and officer in GSS.
Read the rest of this entry »
My Life as an International Student in Canada and SFU by Elif Boz (Edited by Lauren Looi)
Posted by: Elif Boz in Student Life on April 8th, 2011
Hello everyone!
My name is Elif Boz. I am an international student from Turkey, and I am a candidate of Master of Financial Risk Management (MFRM) at SFU.
Our program welcomes students from all around the world, which is indicative of the fact that 80% of the students are international. SFU offers an international student office on the Burnaby campus that provides mentorship programs and advisory services. You can always find a helping hand at SFU.
It is important to apply for the program as early as possible as the application process can take quite a long time. For those who are determined to pursue a career in the finance industry, the MFRM is the right program that offers a unique blend of rigorous training in all aspects of financial risk management as well as real-world experience. You will definitely have a really heavy workload but a big part of the program is about managing your time, balancing social and academic activities and taking advantage of an amazing year with classmates.