Every summer, we make it our mission to talk to Options alumni who have just finished their first year of post-secondary studies. Besides all of the regular questions I ask them, there is one question to which I really value their feedback: “What do you wish you had known academically or been prepared for skill-wise before you got to campus in September?” The answer to this question helps guide our advising. It also emphasizes the importance for students to develop skills outside of the standard British Columbia curriculum. We have noticed that commerce students, in particular, wish they had spent a little more time preparing before their first-year courses. So here’s some helpful advice to help make your summer productive.
Learn about accounting
One piece of advice we hear consistently from both students attending the Queen’s Smith School of Business and UCalgary’s Haskayne School of Business is to brush up on your accounting skills. This is especially important if you didn’t take Accounting 11 or 12 in high school. A good way to do this is through Khan Academy or through any number of Coursera courses. My favourite is from the University of Virginia: Financial Accounting Fundamentals.
Brush up on your knowledge of key commerce software
Additionally, commerce students often report that they wished they had gained Excel skills and had committed to upgrading their basic presentation skills, especially with programs such as PowerPoint. Microsoft offers free Microsoft 365 training modules on its website, and students can complete a G Suite Certification online for $75 (what a great resume builder!). Students tell us having this set of skills makes them valuable group members and gives them confidence in presentations.
Read, watch, and listen
Also, we recommend that students entering commerce for fall 2021 start to read a newspaper daily. Business isn’t an isolated topic; it is dependent on economics, politics, policy, social justice issues, and, of course, science. Students can also prepare for business-style academic reading by perusing high-end magazines such as The Economist and The Atlantic and by watching TED Talks and YouTube videos by leading business thinkers.
We know that students need a break in the summer. However, with the shortened online third term this year, it is worth committing to some extra reading and skill-building this summer! September (and challenging commerce courses) will be here before we know it. For more post-secondary insight and preparation, check out our Post-Secondary Send Off, which will take place virtually in August.
