From being on academic probation in 2011 to now taking on a role as VP, Finance at a global golf tech company, Calven Wang’s SFU Beedie journey has been a rollercoaster ride. After graduating from SFU Beedie in 2017, he secured a full-time position with MNP, a mid-size accounting firm in Vancouver, for three years. He completed his CPA designation and transitioned to work at GOLFTEC Canada, where he was quickly promoted to a senior leadership role.

My Journey

Starting university was a challenging transition for me, as my high school study habits no longer worked. I failed two first-year courses and received a 1.49 GPA during my first semester. However, I learned to manage my time more efficiently and sought support from my peers and mentors to improve my academic performance.

I got the chance to explore various specializations at SFU Beedie, from marketing to accounting to finance. I eventually settled on accounting and decided to pursue the CPA designation. It took a little while but I'm happy with my choice.

Co-ops are a great way to obtain real work experience. SFU Beedie has a great co-op program where coordinators support you in improving your resume, cover letter and interview skills. I secured an internship at a manufacturing company called Stork Craft, where I gained valuable soft skills and work experience.

Despite a low GPA, I persevered and participated in the annual recruitment season for CPA firms, but did not receive any offers during my first attempt. However, I continued networking and improving my application, ultimately receiving offers from several firms during my second attempt.

I accepted a position at MNP, and during my co-op, I worked hard to prove myself and was offered a full-time position before graduating. I am proud of my accomplishments and am grateful for the support I received along the way.

My experience at SFU Beedie

What I loved about SFU Beedie is that it gives students the flexibility to explore different courses and extracurriculars to figure out their career path before committing. This is especially valuable for those with lower GPAs who want to enhance their skills and make themselves more marketable. It’s not just academic superiority that’s needed in the workplace. It’s important to be well-rounded.

FROSH/LAUNCH was one experience I loved. It connected me with mentors and peers, helping me develop mentoring and leadership skills that I still use today. I’m still in contact with my mentees and fellow FROSH leaders and we do annual get togethers.

Participating in case competitions also helped me improve my communication skills, an asset in the workplace. My exchange to Mannheim, Germany was life-changing—it taught me how to problem-solve and think critically in a new and unfamiliar environment.

These experiences at SFU Beedie highlight the importance of being well-rounded and adaptable, as they have helped me gain the skills to become successful in my career.

My BBA major comprised of:

Education

BBA (accounting)
Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) Designation

Student Engagement

• FROSH Leaders
• SFU Beedie Ambassador
• Vice President at SFU Marketing Association (SMA)
• BUS 201 Teaching Assistant

Where I am today

After working at MNP for three years and getting my CPA designation, I transitioned over to GOLFTEC Canada as a Senior Accounting in November 2020. I was promoted to Controller in April 2021, and a year later, I was promoted to VP of Finance. It’s been a dream come true for someone with my background and age to end up in this senior leadership position. Whats even better is that I’m a huge golfer and fan. Being able to mix what I’m good at (finance/accounting) and my favourite sport (golf) is pretty cool.

Advice for incoming students

Take your time and don't rush into university right after high school. If your first semesters don't meet your expectations, consider taking a gap year, exploring your interests, or participating in co-op or exchange programs. Use this time to enjoy your freedom before entering the corporate world. At SFU Beedie, you have the opportunity to explore different areas of study and easily transfer if you decide to pursue a different path.

It's important to learn how to handle failure, and university provides a great environment to do so. It may seem counterintuitive, but experiencing failure can help you develop the skills to handle challenges in the corporate world. So embrace failure and learn how to bounce back from it.