On the Edge of Graduation.

It was the final semester of college. I had made it through endless exams, group projects, and late-night cram sessions. Now, everyone around me was applying to universities. I wanted to go into finance, but I still wasn’t sure which path would lead me to success. Should I choose reputation… or opportunity?

Choice 1 : Apply to HEC Montréal

Choice 2 : Apply to UQAM

Welcome to HEC Montréal.

I got accepted into HEC Montréal. The competition was brutal, and I felt like a small fish in a tank full of sharks. Everyone seemed to have a LinkedIn following and a connection at Deloitte. I stayed focused. In my second semester, I had to choose between two major opportunities.

Choice 1 : Accept a finance internship at a Big Four accounting firm

Choice 2 : Join a student run investment fund

The UQAM Hustle.

I chose UQAM no ivy walls, no expensive tuition, but lots of hustle. I worked part-time while studying full-time. My modeling professor offered me a chance to join a research team. Meanwhile, my best friend invited me to co-found a budgeting app startup.

Choice 1 : Accept the research role

Choice 2 : Join the startup

Baptism by Fire (Big Four Internship).

The Big Four internship was a pressure cooker. I worked 70-hour weeks, drank more coffee than water, and handled tasks that weren’t even mine. One day, the CFO asked me to present a quarterly summary to real investors. If I nailed it, I could get hired after graduation. If I failed….

Choice 1 : Pull an all-nighter and take the risk

Choice 2 : Ask a colleague for help and share credit

The Investment Fund Gamble.

The student-run fund gave me freedom to make real trades and manage portfolios. I loved the pressure. But I made a bad call on a risky stock the fund lost $20,000. I could own up to the mistake… or manipulate the numbers.

Choice 1 : Own up and risk suspension

Choice 2 : Cover it up and fix it next quarter

Quiet Climb Through Research.

Research life was calm. I published two papers, built strong ties with professors, and got offered early admission to a Master’s program. But an internship at the Treasury Board of Canada opened up — very exclusive, very political.

Choice 1 : Accept the internship

Choice 2 : Stick to research and aim for a PhD

Start-Up Chaos.

We launched the budgeting app — and the numbers looked promising. But just before our investor pitch, I found out my co-founder was using company funds for personal expenses. If I exposed him, the startup might collapse.

Choice 1 : Confront him privately

Choice 2 : Expose him publicly during the pitch

Give this section a short title.

Write this part of the story here and present your reader with choices.

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Give this section a short title.

Write this part of the story here and present your reader with choices.

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