Quick info
- MFRM Class of 2021
- Previous education: Rotman Commerce - Bachelor of Commerce - Specialization in Finance and Economics, Major in Economics, Minor in Statistics
Why did you decide to study the MFRM program?
I have always had an interest in Finance, Economics, and Statistics, so I was naturally drawn to quantitative finance. Aside from the empirical skills demanded inthe quantitative finance industry today, MFRM also emphasizes the ability of students to communicate clearly and succinctly to a non-technical audience. It is so rare that someone has the technical knowledge, a big picture view of how it all fits together, and the ability to communicate all that. This has been proven so true in the risk management project placement where we tackle a real business problem with an industry sponsor.
What was your main reason for choosing Rotman?
I completed my undergraduate in Rotman Commerce, so I was already familiar with Rotman. The school offers an unparalleled exposure to the financial industry, leading academics, and industry professionals. Otherwise, Rotman also offers extensive opportunities to be a teaching and research assistant, to compete in case competitions, and to seek mentorship through official programs.
What was the highlight of the Rotman experience?
My most valuable experience at Rotman must be my risk management project at the Bank of Canada. Throughout the project, I have gathered professional skills such as data analysis and research, but also the often-overlooked skills of giving/receiving constructive criticism, communication skills, and meaningful presentations.
Did Rotman and the MFRM program meet your expectations?
My initial expectation of the program was that the course contents will be similar to a typical financial engineering program, with a heavy emphasize in theory and financial mathematics. With a focus on applications, MFRM exceeded my expectations given that I have an academic background in many of the courses from undergrad.
"MFRM enables students to apply empirical analysis using cutting-edge research, which is highly sought after in the finance industry today."
How was your experience with the Rotman community?
My experience at Rotman was unusual due to COVID. As the elected career representative of our class, I had the chance to connect with many of my classmates despite our physical separation. With a small class of 60 students and a heavy emphasize on group work, the class of MFRM had grown to be quite close in a short period of time. These relationships will last well beyond our graduation into the workforce.
What would you say to someone considering choosing the MFRM?
MFRM prepares graduates for a range of finance roles – not just in risk management – since risk is a necessary ingredient in making money in finance. However, MFRM was never designed to scrutinize specific risk modelsor learn the latest regulatory requirements, but instead offers a framework built on empirical analysis to make risk-informed decision making and to convey abstract concepts to a non-technical audience.In other words, excelling in any capacity in finance would require a solid understanding of risk, and MFRM enables this in a short period of time.
The Master of Financial Risk Management is a full time program designed to prepare ambitious young professionals for careers in risk management and finance.