For Yorkville University Class of 2023 valedictorian Eesha Pallan, life changed significantly in 2016 when she moved to BC, enrolled in a high school specializing in business, and fell in love with finance and statistics.
From then on, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in business.
“Then the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 marked another watershed moment in my life, when universities around the world closed their physical campuses and moved teaching to the online environment,” said Pallan, who will represent her fellow Bachelor of Business Administration graduates specializing in Accounting during Yorkville University’s upcoming convocation ceremony on June 29.
“One of my co-workers suggested that I enroll at Yorkville, where I encountered a motivated, co-operative environment and enjoyed a fantastic experience in all my courses.”
For Eesha, her upcoming graduation from Yorkville evokes many emotions – namely, excitement for the future.
“Now that I have learned so much, it is time to put it all to use,” said Pallan, who’s next goal is to earn her Chartered Professional Accountant designation and find employment with a business that shares her beliefs, goals and work ethic.
Pallan recently sat down to reflect on her time at Yorkville University and her plans for the future. Here’s what she had to say:
1. What brought you to Yorkville University? Where were you in your life/career when you decided to continue your studies with us?
I graduated high school from Rick Hanson, where I fell in love with business and accounting. I heard a lot about Yorkville from my fellow students and coworkers. When I started researching, I found it quite fascinating that Yorkville provides a variety of hybrid programs, which fit my schedule. Having the flexibility to study from anywhere made it easy for me to manage having a work-study-life balance.
2. What made you decide to pursue your Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting?
My dad used to make me sit with him to do all the business and house finance/accounting. I always used to be fascinated with numbers. While researching for courses online after high school, I came across this Bachelor’s program in Business Administration, which specialized in accounting, and I could not be happier. I applied for it and now feel very lucky to be a part of such an amazing university.
3. What is the most important thing you’re taking away from your studies at Yorkville University?
The most important lesson I have learned is to be yourself: embrace your uniqueness, strengths, and weaknesses. Embrace change, practice gratitude, and build new relationships. These qualities have all gone a long way to help me become a better version of myself.
4. What are your plans after graduation, both immediate and long term?
My short-term plan is to travel the world and explore, because after working so hard between my studies and my work, I believe it is very important to take some time off and reward myself.
My long-term goal is to gain as much experience in accounting as I can and to be a part of an organization that adds value to everyday life and makes a difference. I also want to start my own business in the long run.
5. If you offered one piece of advice to an incoming student, what would that be?
I think patience and the ability to never give up go a long way. You are here, you should be proud of yourself. You now have the opportunity to become something you always wanted to be. YU will give you all the opportunities you need and will support you in becoming the best version of yourself. You need to work hard and believe in yourself. Trust me if I can do it, you can do it, too. I wish you very good luck on your journey with YU.
