Build Your Career During Your Degree

How one student is bridging university life and the work world...

Jason Azzoparde has gone a long way towards putting in place the building blocks of a very promising professional future while earning his degree. He’s earned top marks in Actuarial Mathematics and Finance, while completing work terms as part of the Co-op program. (He’s one of more than 1,400 students doing Co-op at Concordia.)

Azzoparde is also passing, at an astonishing rate, a series of actuarial exams on the way to attaining an important and coveted professional designation: associate of the Society of Actuaries. A hunger to never stop learning is what keeps him moving forward, says Azzoparde. Each of the teams he’s worked on at consultancy firm Towers Watson over three Co-op terms has offered something different. Azzoparde is now versed in consulting on retirement, health and group benefits, and investment.

His advice for students who are just starting out: “The best way to stay motivated is to always have a long term goal that justifies your current efforts. The projected success should be enough to keep you focused!”

One thing Azzoparde shouldn’t have to worry about when he graduates from Concordia is finding a job. With his resumé, the sky’s the limit.

Career and Planning Services (CAPS) has valuable resources available to all Concordians when it comes to preparing for the job market. CAPS helps you research careers, prepare a job search strategy, put together a top-notch resumé and connect with employers.

If you’re interested in becoming an entrepreneur, District 3 Innovation Center (D3) is a fantastic resource. Concordia students use D3 to connect with professionals and pitch their ideas, ultimately working towards building a start-up company.