Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

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For many at Rotman, contributing to the community is a particularly important aspect of their student experience. This was the case with Master of Finance candidates David Fontebasso and Amy Sidhu (MFin ‘20), who worked together to spearhead a remarkable initiative that raised over $1,200 for the SickKids Foundation. 

David and Amy have both done volunteer work in the past. In David’s case, he worked with hockey leagues to raise money for women’s shelters. David says he was inspired to raise money for SickKids due to a desire to give back to those in need and to motivate others to do the same. 

“It’s always been important to me to give back to those around you and try to encourage others to help those in need.”

David Fontebasso  (MFin ‘20)

For Amy, SickKids had cared for and nurtured a family member in the past, which was one of the reasons why the charity was a natural choice for her. She was glad to see how her class came together to help children in need. 

“This experience was very fulfilling, and our small contribution helped the children. It was great to see the class pull together to spread Christmas cheer for those in need.”

A Busy Month in the Program

“The most rewarding part is definitely the friendships gained through connecting with classmates.”

December was a particularly busy month for both students. In addition to spearheading the SickKids initiative, the two MFin candidates had to manage their time effectively between work, classes, and exams. Regardless of these challenges, Amy believes the experience had been especially rewarding due to the enormous amount learned in a relatively short period of time. She says that engaging with her peers and professors have been fundamental to her time at Rotman. 

“The wealth of knowledge you can gain from others is quite extraordinary. I enjoy engaging with the other students in the program and learning from their experiences.”

Amy Sidhu (MFin ‘20)

For David, the knowledge gaining-aspect is just one of the many positive features of the program. According to him, the friendships made through attending Rotman have been instrumental to his experience. 

“The most rewarding part is definitely the friendships gained through connecting with classmates.”

Advice for future MFin students

Both candidates had something to say when it came to the best way to take full advantage of the program. David advises students who are considering the MFin to make enough time to enjoy all of the excellent opportunities it provides. 

“There is a lot you can get involved with so try to allocate some of your time to participate in different opportunities related to your interests.”

In addition to extra-curricular clubs and activities, MFin students have access to the Career Services, the Self-Development Lab, and Speaker Series Events which all add to the Rotman experience. 

As for Amy, she had her own message to prospective students:

“My advice would be to have fun, stay focused, and give back to the community!”

© Rotman School of ManagementThe Rotman School of Management is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AASCB)