Elrika Oey

Q: Briefly describe your current position and responsibilities, including challenges/rewards. How did you go about your job search upon graduating -- what strategies were most successful and why do you think you were hired?

• Perform audit on professional income tax with gross income up to $500,000 and corporate GST return with gross income $3 M.
• Rewards: knowing that my work is helping Canadian communities indirectly
• Challenges: the hardest thing about my job is the part where I am changing a person's life, more specifically the financial aspect of the individual life.
• Strategies: network with professionals, spare time to attend recruiting events and networking events to maximize opportunities; learn about different job opportunities and be open minded

Q: List the key positions you have held since graduation, and any post-graduate degrees/diplomas you earned after graduation. If applicable, list any other ways you are involved in your profession or in your community (member of a professional association, involved as a leadership volunteer, etc).

• Plan to pursue Master of Business Administration in 2009
• Involved in YMCA community events
• Currently pursuing Certified Management Accountants (CMA) designation

Q: What personal characteristics/skills are most important for success in your job/field?

• interpersonal
• communication
• time management

Q: During your university career did any key experiences assist you in making your career choices? If yes, how so? (Internships? Extern Program? Volunteering? Student clubs? Summer job? Mentorship?)

• participated in UTM alumni mentorship program
• worked as a Career Assistant at UTM Career Centre
• worked as a leadership coordinator at UTM leadership department
• involved in various student clubs

Q: What have been the keys to your success? What advice would you give to students who wish to pursue a similar career path? If you had the chance to plan your studies and your career path again, what would you do differently (if anything)?

• apply for summer position with CRA
• work within any governmental organizations
• get involved in the community as much as you can