Attending the UBC Sauder School of Business is a difficult task all by itself. Safeena Dhalla not only managed to graduate from the school, but also walk across the stage as valedictorian for the Class of 2011.
Dhalla completed her final semester this past February, receiving a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing, after attending high school at both Howe Sound and Don Ross secondary schools in Squamish.
After being chosen out of the 700 students in this year's graduating class, it's no wonder Dhalla was excited to be selected.
"I feel honoured and very lucky, it's a great feeling that in the time spent at school that I was able to connect with so many people and have a friendship and network that will last a lifetime," Dhalla said.
It's never easy to be named valedictorian. It takes a lot of hard work and for Dhalla, it took even a little more. When she first started at the school, like most people in their first year it was a whole new experience, one that took Dhalla a little while to embrace.
"It was definitely a shock after coming from Howe Sound Secondary and Don Ross where you know everyone and everyone knows you. When I came to UBC, I felt kind of lost. I felt there wasn't that personal connection; it was hard to find my footing. I didn't really know where I fit in, and on top of all that school was really hard. It was almost like re-learning how to learn again. It was a bit of a struggle; it was like trying to find myself again," said Dhalla.
Once she got over the initial shock of being in school, Dhalla excelled at her course work and was granted opportunities overseas. She studied in Barcelona, was a part of the winning team at the global business case competition in New Zealand, and founded a micro-credit initiative in Africa.
Her experience at Sauder is not one she will soon take for granted. Some of her best experiences in school were "trying new things and the opportunities that Sauder provided. The network and foundation that was available at Sauder allowed you to connect with people on a huge scale," Dhalla said.
Though Dhalla graduated just last month, she's had her foot in the working world since January at one of the largest advertising agencies in Canada. Though her schooling has her well prepared, it wasn't entirely what she expected.
"It's a lot of long hours; it doesn't stop once you're out of school. It's definitely hard work but advertising is very much work hard, play hard. A lot of blood, sweat and tears going into it, something I never would have guessed."
After high school a lot of people are left wondering what's next in their life. However, Dhalla has had this career in her sights since the middle of high school.
"I remember seeing a billboard as I was driving along the Sea to Sky Highway. I remember thinking, 'I want to be a part of making that happen,' so since Grade 9 I just knew I really wanted to get into advertising, so I just set my sights on it and went for it," said Dhalla.
It's been a few years since she saw the billboard but Dhalla has made every one of them count. After being successful in business school and graduating as valedictorian, she insists it's something she couldn't have done alone.
"I wouldn't be where I'm at today without Squamish. There is no doubt in my mind that the opportunities and life lessons that I learned from Squamish, I wouldn't be here today without it. Without the teachers, the community, and the people I got to know because of such a small community, it really opened up a lot of doors for me," she said.
