We welcome you to the beginning of a journey of self-discovery. As
Publications Managers, one of our main goals for this year that we hope
accomplish with The Executive is to provide relevant resources that you, the
students, can utilize. With these tools, we hope to assist you in making your
university experience as exciting, unforgettable and inspirational as possible!
We are committed to publishing articles that include relevant
information that will �t your needs, which is why our issue focuses
on ways to save money. We understand and recognize the �nancial
burden that entails the life of a post-secondary student. In this
issue, we had the opportunity to acquire professional expertise
with individuals from Kijiji, Sunlife and Scotiabank. With their
advice, we hope that you will be inspired to make a change for
yourself to succeed in this journey you are about to embark on.
We not only hope that you will discover �nancial know-how, but
we encourage you to make your UTSC experience memorable.
This issue introduces aspects that will help you in starting your
school year right and keep you updated about upcoming
events such as Nuit Blanche, CA Facts Night and much more.
On this road of discovery, we encourage you to make
a di�erence in your life and the life of others. We hope
these tips will not only be applicable to school but also
in your daily life. What will you make of your future?
Hi everyone! Welcome to
the start of another school year
that is bound to be successful
and �lled with opportunities,
friendships, and passion. If you
are just beginning your university
career here at the University
of Toronto Scarborough,
congratulations! You have
chosen a wonderful place
that will give you the foundation and tools to succeed in your
future endeavours. To all returning students, as we continue
on our path to completion of this life stage, remember to
enjoy your time here. Even through times of stress and the
increasing workloads, our time here is only �nite and we should
challenge anything that comes our way with zest and fervour.
I am incredibly humbled and honoured to serve as the President
of the Management and Economics Students’ Association (MESA)
this year. MESA is the o�cial Departmental Students Association
(DSA), which means the Association represents over 3,000
students in all the Management and Economics programs. As the
MESA team strives to continue achieving the levels of excellence
and professionalism displayed in the past, we will also continue
to work diligently to provide new and relevant opportunities
for students in all areas of study throughout the year. Our vision
this year is three-fold, and is based upon student engagement,
resource o�erings, and building external awareness and
recognition of UTSC’s programs and of MESA. Ultimately, MESA is
here to work for you and we value any feedback throughout the
year. As we are representative of the student body, our Executives
work towards the betterment of your undergraduate experience.
We welcome you to get involved, participate, and voice your
opinions with us so we can collectively succeed this year.
This month, MESA is hosting many exciting events including our
annual Launch Party, which is taking place on September 10th
from 3PM to 7PM. Launch Party is your o�cial Management
Orientation, where you will be sure to enjoy the food, activities,
and friendships you will make. After, on September 14th, join
us at Grand Baccus for our annual CA Facts Night. This is an
important event for those who are interested in pursuing their CA
designations. It provides a great opportunity for all students to
network with representatives from all of the top �rms. These are
just two examples of the many events and initiatives that MESA
provides. I sincerely hope that you take the time this coming year
to seek out and participate in any opportunities that interests
you. If you are unsure of your passion or speci�c calling in the
large domain of business, I encourage you to diversify the types
of events you attend. MESA hosts events for all streams of study,
and these initiatives may help you better understand your path of
pursuit. Simply put, your university life is whatever you make of it.
Do not underestimate how quickly these years will pass by so seize
opportunities that are available now in order to optimize the value
of these four years. If you take a look around campus, I have no doubt
you’ll �nd a club or activity that interest and fuel your passions.
Let us have a dynamic, engaging, and ful�lling year
together. I hope to see you around campus very soon.
Wesley ChanPresident, MESA
President’s Message
Again this year, I have the honour
and pleasure of welcoming all of our
new students and welcoming back our
returning students to Management.
Last year was a series of �rsts for
Management. We moved into our
new home in the Instructional Centre,
we opened up a new, state-of-the art
Finance Lab, we launched our new
Management in International Business Program, and it was
my �rst year as Chair of Management. Along with these very
visible activities, we continue to engage in a lot of work behind
the scenes to enhance our fantastic department and improve
the learning experience for our students. You have all seen
the banners in the building that express Management’s new
vision and philosophy of “Experience to Lead”. You might even
have read about our vision on our website, where it states that:
“Our students join us with an open mind and a desire to learn.
We challenge our students to take part in a unique curriculum
designed to test their assumptions, question their ideas, expand
their minds, learn how to lead, and leave with the knowledge and
experience to become the next generation of business leaders.”
Let me tell you what this means for all of us. The Department has
been hard at work to ensure that we are providing you, our students,
with the experiences you need to become the next generation
of organizational leaders. Of course, one of the key pillars of the
Management Program is co-op. Our co-op students are given the
opportunity to apply their knowledge in organizations around the
world. Our new Management in International Business program
has attracted some of the brightest and best students who will
be embarking on truly life-changing learning experiences in
countries across the globe. But, co-op doesn’t tell the whole story.
Another key strength of our program is t he curriculum. The
faculty and sta! have been hard at work reviewing every
aspect of our curriculum to ensure that your education is at
the forefront of knowledge in all areas of Management. In
the upcoming months, you will see new courses coming
on stream, new specializations being developed, and a
new emphasis on experience-based learning across every
discipline and in every course we teach in Management.
The faculty and sta! have also been developing new programs
and services for students to help you apply your knowledge
and develop your skills in Management. We have a number
of new and ongoing programs in place to help you learn skills
in Excel and Bloomberg, to conduct e!ective presentations,
and to engage in advanced �nancial modeling. In addition, we
will be holding a number of workshops to help all students in
their job searches, manage the transition from school to work,
choose the right career path, and to seek out help with their
courses and coursework. We are committed to your success.
MESA is the best Departmental Student Association on this
campus (and anywhere). As always, the faculty and sta! are excited
to support all of MESA’s terri�c initiatives, events, and of course,
the LIVE conference. I encourage all Management students to get
involved with all of the great things MESA does throughout the year.
As I have said before, we are all very proud of our Management
students. We hold you to high standards and you exceed them. We
o!er you opportunities to play with knowledge, to experiment
with ideas, to search for solutions, and to become e!ective
leaders. Together, we are creating the experiences you need to
lead. On behalf of the faculty and sta! in Management, I wish you
great success in all of your endeavours in this new academic year.
David ZweigChair of the Department of Management
Welcome Message from the Chair of Management
Bobbi McFarlaneEvents Coordinator,
Coop Programs in Management
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games are
here again! Has it been four years already?
I am continually amazed at the discipline,
dedication and determination of the
athletes who take part in this coveted event.
Amid all the pageantry and applause, it’s
important to remember that each has his
or her own story to tell, about the awesome
journey that led to this moment. And at
THIS moment, awesome student, I can’t
help but think about the journey that it is
just beginning, or beginning again, for you.
Whether you are just starting out as
a Management / Management Co-op
student, or are a ‘seasoned’ member of
the BBA class, you can be sure that each
academic year will bring opportunities for
growth, change and success. It’s up to you to
reach for these chances as they come, and
make them your own. The UTSC Campus
has a multitude of activities and student
organizations (like MESA) literally waiting
for you to get involved! Just joining other
people who are passionate about learning
the ins-and-outs of business, teamwork,
networking etc., will reward you with strong
friendships, and energize you on your path.
Regardless of the race you are running
(academic, track & �eld, securing a job,
etc.), remember to discipline yourself to set
goals. Having benchmarks along the way
keeps the journey interesting, especially
when you achieve them (and even when
you don’t)! They also keep your focus from
shifting when challenges arise and help
to ensure that you’re staying true to what
you really want. And ‘training together’, or
sharing your goals with a trusted peer or
colleague can only aid in moving you both
towards greater standards of excellence.
Like athletes, who sometimes change their
routine, why not make ‘innovation’ a part of
your journey, and involve it in all that you
do? As a university student, continuous
improvement is probably already a part
of your philosophy (or hopefully will be
after today. Not only will this attitude
help you to bring fresh ideas to each
classroom discussion, but you just might
‘spread’ that energy to other students,
thereby helping them to take their ideas
further. This cycle of positive growth and
change could begin with someone else,
but it could also start right now, with you.
The Olympian knows, that practice makes
perfect, and in order to get better, it’s vital
to keep going. So when incorporating
some (or all) of these ideas into your daily
existence, it is more than o.k. to start
slowly. Medal winners didn’t get to the
podium after their very �rst attempt on
the �eld, so give yourself time to evolve
at your own pace, knowing that mistakes
are part of any process. Indeed, Olympic
winners are few; yet, I believe all who
participate have earned the right to say
that they gave it their very best. As you
continue on your university journey, do
recall vividly your many ‘victories’ along the
way, in order to maintain your momentum.
These are just a small sampling of the
many ways that your journey resembles
that of a world-class athlete. And make
no mistake, your instructors, mentors
and Co-op Sta� are here to motivate and
guide you while you train alongside us,
and your future / current friends. Also,
did I mention? Fostering such friendships,
and making them an essential part of your
travels, is a key part of this journey; for
they will be the ones running alongside
you and waiting for you at this particular
�nish line. Such an exciting time to be
a BBA student! And with that, I say…
Welcome to the start of your 2012
academic year! Is it September already?
The Journey is Your Gold Medal
Bobbi McFarlaneEvents Coordinator,
Coop Programs in Management
he 2012 Summer Olympic Games are
here again! Has it been four years already?
I am continually amazed at the discipline,
dedication and determination of the
athletes who take part in this coveted event.
Amid all the pageantry and applause, it’s
important to remember that each has his
or her own story to tell, about the awesome
journey that led to this moment. And at
THIS moment, awesome student, I can’t
help but think about the journey that it is
just beginning, or beginning again, for you.
Whether you are just starting out as
a Management / Management Co-op
student, or are a ‘seasoned’ member of
the BBA class, you can be sure that each
academic year will bring opportunities for
growth, change and success. It’s up to you to
reach for these chances as they come, and
make them your own. The UTSC Campus
has a multitude of activities and student
organizations (like MESA) literally waiting
for you to get involved! Just joining other
people who are passionate about learning
the ins-and-outs of business, teamwork,
networking etc., will reward you with strong
friendships, and energize you on your path.
Regardless of the race you are running
(academic, track & �eld, securing a job,
etc.), remember to discipline yourself to set
goals. Having benchmarks along the way
keeps the journey interesting, especially
when you achieve them (and even when
you don’t)! They also keep your focus from
shifting when challenges arise and help
to ensure that you’re staying true to what
you really want. And ‘training together’, or
sharing your goals with a trusted peer or
colleague can only aid in moving you both
towards greater standards of excellence.
Like athletes, who sometimes change their
routine, why not make ‘innovation’ a part of
your journey, and involve it in all that you
do? As a university student, continuous
improvement is probably already a part
of your philosophy (or hopefully will be
after today. Not only will this attitude
help you to bring fresh ideas to each
classroom discussion, but you just might
‘spread’ that energy to other students,
thereby helping them to take their ideas
further. This cycle of positive growth and
change could begin with someone else,
but it could also start right now, with you.
The Olympian knows, that practice makes
perfect, and in order to get better, it’s vital
to keep going. So when incorporating
some (or all) of these ideas into your daily
existence, it is more than o.k. to start
slowly. Medal winners didn’t get to the
podium after their very �rst attempt on
the �eld, so give yourself time to evolve
at your own pace, knowing that mistakes
are part of any process. Indeed, Olympic
winners are few; yet, I believe all who
participate have earned the right to say
that they gave it their very best. As you
continue on your university journey, do
recall vividly your many ‘victories’ along the
way, in order to maintain your momentum.
These are just a small sampling of the
many ways that your journey resembles
that of a world-class athlete. And make
no mistake, your instructors, mentors
and Co-op Sta� are here to motivate and
guide you while you train alongside us,
and your future / current friends. Also,
did I mention? Fostering such friendships,
and making them an essential part of your
travels, is a key part of this journey; for
they will be the ones running alongside
you and waiting for you at this particular
�nish line. Such an exciting time to be
a BBA student! And with that, I say…
Welcome to the start of your 2012
academic year! Is it September already?
Here are some tips and guidelines to ensure that you will be able
to make the most out of the event.
Be sure to bring the following items: » CAFN Ticket
» Name tag (provided upon arrival)
» Business Cards
» Pen or pencil
» Positive attitude, passion and interest
» Your brightest smile
» Skills&knowledge acquired from Networking Prep Session
IT IS TIME TO NETWORK!Networking is just as important as getting the job itself. You
need to WORK to build strong networks. The following are useful
tips in helping you WORK towards being a successful networker.
Before CAFN:
» Research about the companies attending
» Prepare a list of questions to ask recruiters
» Prepare business cards
» Practice networking whenever you can – CAFN
Networking Prep Session!
During CAFN:
» Make an entrance and introduce yourself
» Be aware of your body language
» Ask open-ended questions
» Broaden your networks and speak with multiple recruiters
and representatives
» Look, Listen and Learn
» Be you, be genuine and be authentic
» Be memorable and remember to smile!
After CAFN:
» Follow up with
a brief email after the
event
» Expand your
connections on
BUSINESS ETTIQUETE Another important aspect of networking is etiquette. Here
are some elements of professional business etiquette:
1.) How do I enter a group?It is common to feel uncomfortable standing as
an outsider where a group which deep in
conversation. It is simple, all you have to do is
ENTER. Try "nding someone you may know in
the group, stand beside them and ask to enter
the group. Once your are in the group, try and "gure
out where the conversation is headed and provide your input.
2.) How do I introduce myself?Once you have made your way into the conversation, take a moment
to simply say “Hello, my name is ____, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
Then a "rm but not overbearingly forceful handshake will do.
3.) How do I leave a conversation?When appropriate (no one is speaking or someone has just
"nished speaking), speak up. Say something along the lines of
“Thank you very much Mr./Mrs. _____ for taking the time to talk
to me, I really appreciate everything that I have learned so far.”
Then hand a business card to the networker and be on your way
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS 1.) Only interested Accounting students should go attend CAFN.CA Facts Night is open to all students and is the perfect
opportunity to practice your networking skills. You can
bene"t greatly by attending CA Facts Night irrespective of
your stream. CA Facts Night is a great place to openly network
with business professionals, faculty and other students.
You can never have too large of a professional network.
2.) Only upper years should attend.By attending CA Facts Night, it allows you to explore a potential
career path in Accounting. Recruiters and CAs will share their
knowledge regarding their experiences and suggest the next
steps students need to take in achieving their career aspirations.
3.) If you attend CA Facts Night, you are guaranteed an interview. This is false, by attending CA Facts Night you are taking your "rst
step in gathering information about potential employers. It is
the perfect opportunity for students to learn more about each
"rms’ organizational culture and become more familiar with their
application process. An interview is not guaranteed but it is your
chance to create long lasting "rst-impressions.
Vanessa Ha
Events Director, MESA
Serene ChanPublications Manager, MESA
We’ve all used this excuse at least once in our lives: “I
really want to work out but I just don’t have the time!” If there
is one thing I know that most of you can relate to, it’s that
life is BUSY! Whether you’re studying as full time student or
completing a work term, it can be di�cult to �t exercise into
a hectic schedule. When getting one more paper turned in
on time or studying for an exam upcoming up is at the top
of your to-do-list, exercise is usually the last of your priorities.
A busy schedule is no excuse to neglect physical wellness.
Even if you’re eating properly prepared foods, that’s only
half the journey toward achieving a healthy lifestyle.
Exercise is the other primary component of the equation.
Learning how to balance between your studies and your
health is essential as a student. The following are three tips
on how to �t exercise into a busy schedule to assist you in
your journey towards a more con�dent and active lifestyle.
Tip OneMany people are under the impression that working out
suggests sacri�cing a signi�cant part of their day. In reality, a
short workout can actually be just as e"ective as an extended
one! Try to delegate just 30 minutes aside every day for vigorous
exercise. The key is to get your heart rate up on a consistent
basis for a lengthy duration of time.
This requires doing exercise that
will get you out of breath and
sweating for a good 15 minutes.
Try doing exercises that
involve more energy and
less time, such as burpies,
light jogs, or cycling. You can share
work out ideas amongst friends
or even �nd them on YouTube
for inspiration. Exercise that gets
your heart rate up increases the
circulation of blood, which leads
to more nutrients delivered
through your body. Not only
will you feel healthier after
just 30 minutes, this also
increases circulation of oxygen within the brain
and leads to a higher level of concentration!
Tip Two Whether you prefer doing a yoga class, joining a dancing
club, or signing up for the dragon boat team, joining
organizations around campus that center around being active
can bene�t your body. Scheduled classes are particularly
good at �tting a full body workout in a set timeframe.
Exercising side by side with others is also a great motivation
for pushing personal boundaries and achieving goals.
Encourage yourself to take just 20-30 minutes at least 3
times a week to experience various workout classes. UTSC
o"ers great workout programs for inexpensive prices and
provides a variety of sports teams that you can join, which
can be found at: http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~athletics/
schedules.html. Remember that you paid for these facilities
within your student fees! Not only does it encourage you
to work out on a regular basis, you also get the chance to
meet new people working toward the same healthy lifestyle.
Tip ThreeIt’s understandable that the workload of a student can
be demanding and roadblocks may arise at any given
time. It’s also important to remember that you can pretty
much make a workout out of anything! As you go about
your normal tasks, �nd as many ways to include exercise.
Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking a bit
farther away than you usually do, or ride a bike to school. If
you’re at home, try incorporating exercise in your everyday
chores. Carefully observe your day for possible exercises
you can do, and it will be likely that you will �nd many more.
The reality is that anyone can get active. It doesn’t require
eliminating your social life, neglecting your studies, or
avoiding your job. However, it does require you to take charge
of your life, creating a schedule for
yourself, and holding yourself
accountable for staying on track.
If you want to be healthy
and active, it’s all up to you.
Despite the stress of being a
student, there are many perks of
being in school which can be friendly
on our wallets. Although tuition
for a post-secondary education
can leave quite the impact in our
bank accounts, it’s important to
realize and recognize the bene�ts
it entails. With this knowledge,
you can derive and make use of
the value from all the money that
you are paying for your tuition.
Health planFor those students who are not
covered under a health or dental
plan from their parent or guardian,
do not fret! At UTSC, our tuition
includes a health and dental
plan at a great rate. The health
plan covers partial to full costs,
including prescribed medications,
visits to the chiropractor, contact
lenses and much more. You can
visit http://scsu.ca/services/health-
dental-plan/ for more speci�c
information in regards to the plan.
Student DiscountAs a student, there are countless
discounts that we are eligible for.
Some of these discounts include
the Student Price Card (SPC) , which
is a highly popular discount
card that entitles students to
immediate and exclusive savings
at di"erent retailers o"ering a 10-
15% discount. Other retailers that
o"er student discounts amongst
the many out there include a
10% o" discount Bulk Barn on
Wednesdays and a 10% student
discount Loblaw o"ers on Tuesdays.
Facilities on CampusOn campus, we are surrounded by
an abundance of helpful resources.
We have access to a gym, library,
study space, and walk in clinic. The
gym fee we each pay as a part of
our tuition is less than a regular
gym membership. We also have the
convenience of a walk in doctors
clinic as well as a dental clinic on
campus. So if we are ever feeling
unwell or in need of teeth cleaning
it’s just a few steps from your class!
Between the stress and freedom
of being a student, there are many
things that we should enjoy and
make use of. Hopefully, you can
make use of the tips suggested
above! Share with us any other
perks of being a student that you
are informed about at http://www.
mesa.ca/publications/the-blog/.
Carmen ChanPublications Manager, MESA
With each September that rolls around, many
students embark on a new school year. It is important
that with any new beginning that you are equipped with
the right tools to be as successful as possible. This applies
to many things in life such as starting a new job, moving
into a new house, and our focus in the beginning of a new
school year. I hope that you will �nd the following tips use-
ful and will assist you in getting through the year with ease.
AttitudeYour attitude towards tackling any task is a strong
predictor of the outcome and your success. As Theo-
dore Roosevelt once said, “Believe you can and you’re
halfway there.” Having a positive attitude a!ects the
way you challenge an obstacles. It can also in"uence
the type of people you will attract who in turn may be
those you surround yourself with. No matter if a task is
challenging, easy, ambiguous or straight-forward, having
a positive winning attitude makes you fun to be around.
People enjoy surrounding themselves with positive
energy; it is no fun being around a Debbie Downer all
the time. Despite how hard an assignment or a class may
be, being positive and having a great attitude makes
the task a tad bit easier just by simply changing the way
you look at it. Many of our feelings, attitudes and behav-
iours stem from individuals that we spend time with.
Having great people around you that motivate and inspire
you can greatly a!ect your take on many things in life.
Find a good
mentorBe it an upper year
student, a professor, or
an individual working in
the �eld you aspire to be
in, it is very important to
have a great mentor. These
individuals have been
through what you are going
through now and can give
you invaluable advice. As a
third year student, there are
many things I wish I would’ve
known back in my �rst year
at university. I can provide
this knowledge to a �rst year student to improve their
university experience. A good mentor not only
guides you, but provides you with support that many
fellow classmates or parents may not be able to give.
Be open-minded & look aheadUniversity is very di!erent from high school, which is why it is
important to be open-minded in a new environment.
Things will be done di!erently and it is simply a learn-
ing experience. Keeping a list of goals with you will help
you look ahead into the future and give you a direction of
where want to be. It is easy to get �xated on a career goal
entering university, but be careful not to jump into a
decision too quickly. It is important to be open-minded to
diferent opportunities. Gaining insight and experience will
also help you in deciding your career. You can do this by
talking to individuals who are in the �eld you’re interested in
or getting a coop or internship to gain hands on experience.
Get enough rest!It is easy to fall behind in classes and I admit that I have
experienced this numerous times! During midterm and
�nal seasons, it can be so easy to lose sleep since there
may be a lot of material to catch up. Students may feel
the need to be extra prepared for an exam in hopes of
scoring high. Each of us has a unique and di!erent sleep
requirement depending on genetic and physiological
factors. Ensure that you are giving your body enough down
time and supply it with nutritious foods to keep it going!
Ca!eine is not a substitute for sleep,
meaning a good night’s rest cannot be
mimicked by ca!eine. However
it is understandable that when
there is no time to sleep, ca!eine is
acceptable when taken in moderation!
These tips are not only
applicable to a new school year,
but can be applied in many other
situations in your personal, working,
or social life. Let us know if you have
any methods of combatting a new
beginning. Share you thoughts at
h t t p : / / w w w . m e s a . c a / p u b l i c a -
t i o n s / t h e - b l o g /
Carmen ChanPublications Manager, MESA
Since you were once a student yourself, what did you do
in school to set up for your future �nancial success? It started with my parents’ teaching, and it was: don’t
spend what you don’t have. I will say that it is best to be
prepared for the unexpected. Certainly things happen, such
as emergencies. Always have that in your plan that you
never want to be at a zero base line. If you make ten spend
ten you’ll have no debt, but you’ll also have no reserve.
In our day, there were no cell phones; there were no
blackberries, iPhones. Whereas now, it’s almost like it’s
mandatory. So that’s added expense. So I didn’t have a �fty
dollar a month user fee that I had to pay. It’s like exercise,
and if you make it a priority, and discipline yourself, then
you can see it through. When you’re training yourself not to
spend beyond X percent, I think the bottom line is discipline.
How can students start practicing budgeting? Do you think
it’s okay for students to spend a little more on something
and compensate for it later?
They always say that there are your must haves,
need to haves, and nice to haves. I would start
with your must haves. That’s a hard when
you’re accountable to yourself. Say there’s a new iPhone 4S
out, iPhone 5, and they have a 4. And you upgrade it,and
switch it which is going to cost you $600. So where is that $600
going to come from? Are you going to eat $600 less of food?
Is it really worth it? So it comes back to the person. They have
to be honest and quantify it and put an evaluation on it.
What are some of the dangers that students can avoid in
order not to get into too much debt?
It is very powerful for students, for anyone, to realize,
recognize and acknowledge where there might be holes
that they could possibly plug. For example, your Starbucks
co!ee at three or four dollars each; is it necessary? If you
have that three four dollar co!ee once, twice a day, now
you’re up to $70 a week. And now you’re up to $300 a
month, and that goes up to almost $4000 a year. So you see,
and that’s just co!ee. Now it starts to have impact. People
sort of fool themselves into that routine that it’s only a few
dollars, it’s only a few dollars. But once you do the math
and push the number out, and then compare it to that.
Are there any ways that Sun Life can help students budget?
Don’t spend what you don’t have and save for the future
because you never know. Sunlife’s whole business is built
on the future, the long term horizon: retirement, unforeseen
events, and usually life altering or life ending events. Pay now
for something in the future. It’s Sun Life’s mantra in terms
of saving today for tomorrow because you never know; and
expect the unexpected because it usually happens. When
students hear it sometimes, ‘it’s like yeah, yeah, yeah.” At your
age, it’s very hard sometimes to project out 10, 20, 30 years.
It’s habitual. Better to start younger to get into that habit.
Interviewed by Serene ChanPublications Manager, MESA
As a highly popular art festival, what
is so unique about Nuit Blanche that
di�erentiates it from other displays of
art?
Since the event lasts for just one night
it makes the event inevitably unique
and di�erent. With the accompanying
darkness that descends onto the city it
provides a wonderful atmosphere. The
nature of this event helps and guides the
selection of work that is chosen as well
as the location. Nuit Blanche transforms
the audiences’ perception of the city
encouraging them to stay up late and
explore places they would not normally
inhabit during early hours of the morning.
For some art installations, its appearance
at Nuit Blanche might be it’s only display
and opportunity for an audience to view.
In the short duration, what artists can
display challenges them and adds to the
festival pieces of art that are restaged.
How is Nuit Blanche di�erent this year
compared to previous years? This year, Nathan Philip Square and City
Hall will be used to present a collection of
15 di�erent projects instead of displaying
one large scale project as it did in previous
years. Artists will be recreating a museum
for the end of the world at City Hall
and viewers will be able to explore the
Council of Chambers itself. Nuit Blanche
will be commissioning 63 projects which
is a substantial increase from last year and
presenting nearly 100 projects within the
independent program. Trisha Brown’s Dance
Company who has not been to Toronto in over
12 years will be making an appearance at Nuit
Blanche presenting a dance called Planes.
What are some interesting pieces of art
you would recommend students to see
who are new to Nuit Blanche?With the diverse array of pieces that
will be on display during Nuit Blanche
it gives the audience a sneak peek of
what is happening in the contemporary
visual art scene. There are far too many
pieces to pinpoint certain pieces that are
fantastic but there is absolutely something
for everyone. You can !nd more information
online at http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.
ca/ where the event guide can be found.
Additional CommentsIn order to supplement the audiences’
ease with getting around the city, Nuit
Blanche go-ers can buy an all-night TTC pass
allowing them to make as many journeys
as they wish. Additional GO Trains along
the Lakeshore corridor will be running
as well. You also have a choice of staying
downtown where a variety of fantastic
hotel packages are available. All those
who book a travel package will be
automatically invited to an exciting
preview event on Friday September 28th.
To read the full interview visit
http://www.mesa.ca/publications/the-blog
Interviewed by Carmen ChanPublications Manager, MESA
How can students start practicing budgeting? How does
Scotiabank help students save money when they have a limited
income?
Budgeting is an organized way to plan your spending and
your income. People like to spend; if they earn one dollar, they
like to spend two dollars. They always tend overspend. I have
some clients that make pretty good money, however they
still cannot make the ends meet. It’s all about the �nancial
plan. My piece of advice to students is to have a �nancial
plan with the bank or the �nancial advisor. Scotiabank
follows six-step procedure to complete the �nancial plan:
1.Understand your �nancial situation, needs, and goals
2.Identify gaps and opportunities
3.Develop appropriate strategies
4.Present you with a written plan
5.Help to implement your plan
6.Re�ne and update your plan
One of the most important steps for budgeting is to have a
cash �ow analysis. Based on an individual’s limited income,
I �gure out how they can save on a regular basis towards their
goals. With Scotiabank, we have many programs to support
that. For example, we have a free student banking advantage
plan that includes a free bank account and a fantastic service
called bank direct; both of which can be found at http://www.
scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,404,00.html . You save as you spend,
making it a very good strategy with a very limited budget.
You can also get the Scotia Scene visa that includes no annual
fee and 250 points free scene points. For credit cards, the
most important thing is to make your payment on time. If
for some reason you’re running out of cash and you cannot
ful�ll the whole payment, that’s �ne. If you maintain the
minimum payment before the due date, then the bank
still trusts you because you show a willingness to pay.
So it’s never too late to start the budgeting. When you
grow older, you’ll need to budget for your family and
your career. You need to have a plan, have a goal, and
stick to the plan and revisit that on a regular basis.
Would you advise students to invest a tax-free savings account
or investments?
Going back to the basics - I have to know your needs, your
objectives, and then I will give you a plan. Based on their situation,
it varies. If I put students in long term investment, for example
stock, then the money is locked in. They don’t have access to the
money when they need the money. Financial advisors can help
you invest into these types of investments, because there are
risks involved. For some of them I can have them set up a saving
plan, which is short term because they have to pay their tuition
in six months. For short term situations, we try to be secure
because people need to access the money in a short timeframe.
If it’s too risky for them, then we lose the purpose of saving.
How much money should students start saving? Does saving a
few dollars really matter?
It depends. If the people are coming in to us with a tight budget, they
can join the bank direct program. So when you spend two dollars
in Tim Hortons, you can save up a few cents towards your savings.
Interviewed by Serene ChanPublications Manager, MESA
Don’t ignore the e�ect of the few cents, because it adds up.
For a whole year you can accumulate maybe a few hundred
dollars, which is good enough for a trip! We have this fantastic
tool that gives you a visual picture of how much you should
save over the years called the Money Finder Calculator, which
can be found at http://cgi.scotiabank.com/cgi-bin/Scotiabank/
Calculators/CashFlowCalc.cgi.Think about how you spend your
money and your income coming in. Plug in your in�ows and
out�ows, and the calculator can �gure out what your spending
habit like. With this, maybe you’ll realize that you tend to spend
too much money on clothes or eating out. This way you can
cut that out a little bit and save towards your long-term goal.
When should students start putting money in their RRSP and
why?
A few students have came to me before wanting to save for their
RSEP, but I always tell them no. They might have part time job,
for example at the Pet Smart or Canadian Tire as an intern for a
summer job. Even then, their income is still very low. Their whole
year’s income might be $6000 from a few months working. So if
you buy your RSP, you don’t get much credit back. You cannot
do RSP contribution the �rst year you work. You have to wait
until you receive a letter from the CRA, telling you how much
you are able to contribute into your RSP. I tell these students
that the wisest thing to do is to save the income until they have
a full time job. Students may want to work along with your
personal �nancial advisor and get a tax free savings account,
which can be good for a medium or long term investment.
As an investment advisor, what do you enjoy seeing/ doing the
most?
There are so many. The most that I enjoy in my job is the ful�llment
I get from my clients. When they come in with a problem, I often
compare myself as a �nancial doctor. They trust me so much
because there are so many sensitive and private things that they
have to share with me. Their investments, their pension; there’s so
many private stu�. But they trust me and it creates a relationship.
When I give them my advice and they follow through, I can see
their problems getting better and improving. They become very
healthy �nancially, which makes me feel extremely ful�lled.
Find a plan that is right for you
Specialty plansRegistered Education Savings Plan (RESP) - You’ll bene�t
from tax-deferred investment growth plus the potential
to receive up to $9,200 in government bonds and grants.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) – Money saved
within the plan can be enhanced by tax-deferred investment
growth and as much as $90,000 in government assistance.
Savings plansTax Free Savings Account (TFSA) - It’s a personal savings
account that allows you to invest and enjoy tax free returns.
Non-Registered Plans- You can save for short- and long- term
goals with no contribution limits and no strings attached.
Retirement PlansRetirement Savings plan (RSP) - You can save for
retirement with tax deductable contributions and the
opportunity to earn tax-deferred returns on your investment.
Retirement Income Fund (RIF) – When you
retire, your RSP is converted into RIF and you
begin to draw income, while continuing to
bene�t from tax-deferred growth of your investment.
1.How does Kijiji let their users know that their
site is safe place to buy, sell and trade?We involve the community in helping us ensure the site is a
safe place to buy, sell, and trade. Community members are
asked to provide us with their feedback and each ad includes
a “report this ad” link that gives the community the power to
report suspicious ads.
2.What are some safety rules that you follow when
using your buy or sell online?It’s important to carefully assess the deals and opportunities
– does this pricing make sense? Do the details check out?
People need to do their homework to help inform their
decisions. Ultimately, it’s important to use common sense. If
you’re not comfortable having someone come to your home
to buy an item, choose a busy spot to meet them. Don’t accept
o!ers that ask you to pay online - all transactions should be
completed in person.
3.What are some interesting consumer spending
habits that you have noticed during your
experience working at Kijiji?Kijiji is a trading platform, helping buyers and sellers connect.
We don’t track consumer spending habits because all
transactions are completed in person.
4.What is the most popular purchased item on
Kijiji? Can you share your own experience of
purchasing items online?Electronics are extremely popular on Kijiji. We have a lot of
posts for iPads/iPhones, as well as computers. Other popular
sections include autos and pets. A little over a year ago
we bought a 1988 Dodge Aries, aka the K-Car, via Kijiji. We
wanted a vehicle for some of our community activities and it
only made sense to buy it through our site! The team took a
little road trip to Stou!ville to pick it up from a family there. It
was in great condition for its age!
5.What selling tactics would you give users who
are trying to sell things on Kijiji?Take good, clear pictures of your items and take multiple
pictures from di!erent angles. It really helps people get a sense
of what you are buying. Think about the types of questions
you would ask someone if you were buying the item and try
to list out the information in bullets to help answer those
questions. Also, some categories get more posts than others,
so it can be worth the money to pay to promote your ad, if it
has been bumped o! the #rst two pages.
6.Have you ever experienced scam while
purchasing items online? How does the company
deal with scams claiming to be associated with
Kijiji? I personally have not. We do our best to pull any ads that are
suspicious and we have a number of safety measures in place
that scan for keywords and phrases to pull down suspicious
ads. As I mentioned before, community members are asked
to provide us with their feedback and each ad includes a
“report this ad” link that gives the community the power to
report suspicious ads.
Interviewed by Serene ChanPublications Manager, MESA
Shawn McIntyre is Community Relations Manager at
Kijiji Canada, where he has been on the Community
Relations/Support Team for four years, making him
one of the �rst members of the Kijiji.ca team. Following
the launch of Kijiji.ca in 2005, Shawn joined the team
with a focus on developing an innovative Community
Support Model to deliver a fun, safe online classi�eds
experience for Canadians.fun, safe online classi�eds
experience for Canadians.
If you weren’t a professor, what would you be or do?I would be in radio because I like to talk
and a bene�t would be that no one
would have to see me! It’s kind of cool
to have a radio personality and work for
a station that plays music that I enjoy.
Secondly, I would be a professional
athlete. I would probably run.
What is one thing that students would be surprised to know about you?
I do a disproportion amount of chores
around the house. My wife works full
time at UTSC. She works with very high
leveled people and the work around
the house has to be done. So I certainly
try to do my part; in fact do more than my
part because my wife’s working hours are
very constrained and it’s my house too.
I think students would be surprised to
hear that the other day I pulled out my
lunch and students asked me, “Did your
wife make that for you?” I just fell over.
What made you go into teaching?I realize that I probably enjoy my students
more than I enjoy my subject. I think what
made me go into teaching was partly
the experience of helping students
�nd their way, consolidate their
knowledge and make their own
success. And a bit of it is sort of sel�sh.
It’s by living vicariously, repeating
the experiences I had as a student.
What was your least favorite subject in school?My least favorite subject was, oh dear,
biology. The reason I didn’t like
biology was because it seemed like a
huge collection of things to remember
with not a lot of substance. I didn’t like
memorization. But I found later in life
that knowing something in biology,
particular human biology, can be useful.
What would you do if you had a million dollars?First thing would be to not do much
for a while; just think about things.
Second thing is to put that money into
somewhere secure. I would decide how
to spread it amongst my wife’s family
and my family. If there is anything left,
pay o" the mortgage. As a working adult
with a child, you’d be surprised how fast
money disappears. I don’t even see it!
With a million bucks, it’s not like you can
say, “Shucks, I can retire.” If you said 10
million bucks, that would be di"erent.
What was your dream as a student?If I had to answer that, I would say
mathematician. I guess as far as career
wise, I really love my subject. You’ve heard
of this term “geek”? Well they were around
during the 80s when I was a student and I
was one of those. I really loved my subject
and so one of my goals was to see more of it.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given to you?It’s certainly applicable in school and it’s
applicable in life. It’s applicable especially
when things are really awful.. The best
advice my dad gave me was that in a
particular situation, especially if it was
bad, that this too will pass. Everything
passes. Both my parents reminded me
that the sun will come tomorrow and it
will be a di"erent day. There are so many
great things that are still going to happen.
Interviewed by Serene ChanPublications Manager, MESA
Serene ChanPublications Manager, MESA
“I wanna be a billionaire so frikin’ badBuy all the things I never had”
Bruno Mars seems to understand how most of us wish we
could splurge as hard as a celebrity could. With hundreds of
millions, some celebrities buy the most unnecessary things.
The following are outrageous purchases of the rich and famous:
Rihanna has become a huge trendsetter
when it comes to hairstyles. Style
doesn’t come cheap, which might
explain why she spends a staggering
$23,000 every week on a personal hair
stylist. That’s more than $1.1 million
on hair a year! Looks like Rihanna is
the only girl who will never bad a hair day.
Have you ever heard of the song sung by Marilyn Monroe,
“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”? This song seems
to be certainly true for Akon! He likes his diamonds so
much; he bought his own diamond mine in South Africa.
You know how some people played dress up as a kid? It must
be Tom Cruise’s baby girl’s favorite game since her wardrobe
consists of $25,000 tiaras, $750 Armani gowns, and a $6,000
princess Halloween costume. This little girl is running around
town with a child-sized Ferragamo handbag worth more
than what we spend on a month’s rent!
Suri Cruise is not the only little girl who
showers with luxuries. Beyonce’s daughter
Blue Ivy literally showers in a $5,200 pink
Swarovski crystal covered tub. This infant
may be just a few months old, but she has
accumulated more expensive gifts than
most people will receive in a lifetime.
Lady Gaga might terrify
some people with her
outrageous out�ts. But
when it comes to �ghting
her own fear, the singer
spent $50,000 on ghost
detecting equipment,
including electro-magnetic
�eld meters to tackle the
supposed spirit named Ryan
that follows her everywhere. Rumors suggest Gaga does a spirit
check at each venue she plays to chase away the bad energy.
As university students, we know
how much we should value sleep.
Daniel Radcli�e must understand
the true importance of beauty sleep.
At 11 years old, he spent $17,000
on a custom Savoir mattress after
cashing his �rst pay check from the
“Harry Potter” series.
Looking at his $38 million debt and his decision to buy two white
Bengal tigers, the former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson has been
known to pour money down the drain with his lavish spending.
He seemed to have taken the saying a little too literally when
he purchased a $2 million bathtub for his ex-wife Robin Givens.
It’s rather ridiculous how the extravagant spending habits
of some very wealthy celebrities come from those who
often seem to have more money sense. If you had as much
money as these celebrities, what would you spend it on?
1 The CN TowerAt 1,815 feet the CN Tower
attracts millions of tourists from all over the world, giving the
visitors a bird’s eye view of Toronto and the surrounding areas.
If looking down on the city from the glass observation deck or
walking on the edge of the main pod is not your thing, you can also
dine at the towers top-�oor restaurant with a breathtaking view.
2 The Distillery DistrictThe Distillery Historic District in downtown Toronto is a pedestrian-
only village is dedicated to promoting arts and culture and has
fabulous heritage architecture. With a wellness centre, plenty
of cafés, restaurants and pubs, it is de"nitely a place to visit!
3 YorkvilleYorkville is a charming anomaly in the midst of Toronto’s high rises
and shopping malls. The old-fashioned Victorian architecture
houses dozens of boutiques, restaurants and art galleries. .
Various celebrities have been spotted strolling the sidewalks of
Yorkville, especially during the Toronto International Film Festival.
4 Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)The AGO is the 10th largest art museum in North America and
houses an impressive collection of over 40,000 pieces of work.
The AGO is housed in a striking Frank Gehry building and features
masterworks from around the world from 100AD to present
5 St. Lawrence Market
The St. Lawrence Market o$ers shoppers a variety of shops
and co$ee houses in a unique atmosphere making it one
of the top places to relax in Toronto. It is located west of
Jarvis Street between King Street East and the Esplanade. A
perk of the St. Lawrence market is that the admission is free.
6 HarbourfrontAs a neighbourhood on the northern shore of Lake Ontario,
the Habourfront area is developing rapidly and becoming
one of the busiest pedestrian zones in Toronto. Harbourfront
Centre is a non-pro"t cultural organization providing renowned
programming in arts, culture education and recreation.
it attracts approximately 12 million visitors every year.
7 Toronto IslandsOnly a 10-minute ferry ride from the foot of Yonge Street, the Toronto
islands o$er a panoramic view of the city’s skyline. The largest
and outermost island is called Centre Island and o$ers miles of
parkland with beaches, barbecues and picnic tables, boat rentals,
bicycle paths, a children’s farm, and even an amusement park.
8 Allan GardensAllan Gardens is one of the oldest parks in Toronto that’s open every
day of the year with free admission. You will be able to "nd a Botanical
Conservatory, playground, and two fenced o$-leash areas for dogs.
9 Air Canada CentreThe Air Canada Centre is a state-of-the-art arena that is home
to the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs. It is a
multipurpose indoor sporting arena located on Bay Street.
10 Rogers Centre (formerly known as Skydome)Famous for its retractable roof, the Rogers Centre
is home to the Toronto Argonauts football
team and the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team.
Carmen ChanPublications Manager, MESA