Dear 3rd year me: advice for the year ahead at Gustavson
As Sampras Chung completes his final year of the Bachelor of Commerce program, he shares his advice with students entering their third year, reflecting on what he’s learned along the way, the value of international study and the importance of joining a club on campus.
If you could describe year three of the program in one sentence, what would it be?
Everything is new! Moving from Taiwan to study in Canada and at UVic was a major change, but the support from faculty and staff made a huge difference.
What surprised you most?
The power of connection! I joined UVic’s Personal Finance Club where I served as president and met students who shared my interests. Many of these connections have turned into friendships. That power of connection has also allowed me to build a professional network in areas I’m interested in, like wealth management and finance. They’ve helped me explore co-op and full-time opportunities.
What's an opportunity outside the classroom that had the biggest impact on you?
The Gustavson Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). I really enjoyed helping so many people in the community file their personal taxes. I met a lot of good friends by just volunteering with the program.
What's a skill that you developed at Gustavson and will carry with you throughout your career?
I would say my communication skills. We learn hard skills like accounting and finance in our classes, but business is also about adapting to different scenarios and communication is key. The instructors create opportunities for students to improve our interpersonal skills by putting us in different business scenarios and even conducting practice job interviews, so we learn how to act and communicate under pressure.
What would you tell yourself not to worry about?
Finding co-ops! It’s really what makes Gustavson stand out from other schools. For students entering a new market, gaining work experience is so important. Through the BCom program, I was able to connect with the business community, work with Canadian companies, and discover my career path. I also worried about my English at first, but I learned that the attitude and the skills you bring matter most.
If you could go back to the beginning of third year and give yourself a piece of advice, what would it be?
Ask for more and do more! I feel like I’m often waiting for experiences and knowledge to come to me but looking back I’d say take the initiative to learn more actively and seek out resources that will help you achieve what you want.
What's one piece of advice you'd pass along to students entering their third year?
Gustavson has a great balance between classroom learning and work experience. Third year is the core year in BCom, where you build your accounting and finance skills, and then immediately apply them in a work term. Returning to class in fourth year allows you to build on that experience before heading into another work term. This type of learning really helps you develop practical skills that prepare you for the workplace.
Stay calm and don’t get overwhelmed. It can seem like a lot of pressure to figure it all out, just take it one step at a time. As an international student, I was so intimidated, but I’ve realized I can’t compare myself to others. It’s ok if you don’t know everything. Just learn as you go!