Starting university is more than just lectures, assignments, exams, and finding your way around campus – it’s also your first step into the business world. From day one, first-year students have access to resources, networks, and opportunities that can turn back-to-school season into the foundation of a successful career.
A Built-In Network
The University of Ottawa, more specifically the Telfer School of Management, brings together accountants, marketers, managers, and entrepreneurs. In your classes, almost everyone aspires to work in a business-related field. By joining clubs, participating in case competitions, and engaging with our student association early on, you can connect with peers, mentors, and potential collaborators who may one day become colleagues.
Having these connections early can be more valuable than just borrowing the notes for the accounting lesson you missed.
Campus Resources
Don’t wait to start tapping into the resources that give you an edge. Your assigned mentor, professors, and teaching assistants can share their experiences, offer practical advice, and answer most of your questions. They’ve been in your shoes and genuinely want to help you succeed.
Participating in clubs and associations will help you develop leadership experience that’s transferable to the industry. You don’t need to be president right away to start honing these skills.
Interested in marketing? Join the Telfer Marketing Association.
Like trading? Explore the Telfer Finance Society.
Want to make a difference for students day-to-day? Check out the Telfer Students’ Association.
At the beginning of the fall and winter terms, clubs host a club fair—don’t be shy; they’re thrilled to meet you. You have more to offer than you think.
One of the best resources for students is the Career Centre. They offer personalized résumé help, mock interviews, networking events, professional photoshoots, LinkedIn profile reviews, and skill-building workshops. The Career Centre can help you master crucial professional tools that might otherwise feel intimidating. Use it—it’s free, and even a little tweaking on your résumé can make a big difference.
The ‘Ir’ Relevant Projects
One day, your professor will assign a group project with people you don’t know on a topic that seems irrelevant. But think of it as training for the workplace. These projects sharpen your communication, organization, planning, creativity, and teamwork skills in a professional setting.
You won’t always get to work with your friends or pick tasks you like. So, ask yourself:
How do you collaborate with others effectively?
How do you adapt to uncomfortable situations?
How do you deliver strong results even when you don’t love the topic?
These group projects will help you answer those questions and prepare you for real-world challenges.
Small Wins Can Go a Long Way
Some companies begin on campus, but career success doesn’t always mean starting the next Facebook. Launching a tutoring service, creating a textbook-trading platform, joining a consulting club, or pitching a business model in a case competition are all small wins that can strengthen your résumé and diversify your skills portfolio.
These experiences also boost your confidence and prepare you to tackle bigger challenges later in your degree—whether that’s landing a co-op placement, founding your own club, or studying abroad on an exchange program.
The Most Important Part
This is the cliché part that tells you to step outside your comfort zone—but it’s true: university is the perfect time to test your interests. Try different clubs, participate in side projects, sign up for intramurals, volunteer on and off campus, or enroll in classes that spark your curiosity.
If you end up not liking something you signed up for, the worst that can happen is you won’t sign up again. Each step—failure or achievement—will help you discover your strengths and interests while giving you practical skills for internships and future roles.
The University of Ottawa campus is your stepping stone to a future career. You might sometimes feel like you’re missing out, falling behind, or not belonging—but remember, everyone feels that way at some point. By making use of the resources, building your network, and trying new opportunities, your first year can be the start of a professional journey that extends far beyond graduation.
References
University of Ottawa. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://www.uottawa.ca/en
Telfer School of Management. (n.d.). Telfer School of Management. University of Ottawa. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://telfer.uottawa.ca/en/
Telfer Career Centre. (n.d.). Career Centre Services. University of Ottawa. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://telfer.uottawa.ca/en/careercentre/
Association des Étudiantes et Étudiants de Telfer / Telfer Students’ Association (AÉTSA). (n.d.). AÉTSA. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://www.aetsa.info/