Culture, community, and curriculum

UBC graduate Andrew gives his best advice to new first-year students

Culture, community, and curriculum
CategoryAlumni
NameAndrew Darcovich
FromWhite Rock, BC
ProgramBComm with Honours, specialization in finance

Andrew remembers how his first days at UBC seemed overwhelming.

He recalls the initial anxiety of adapting to university life, starting the courses he’d picked, and figuring out what clubs and societies he might want to join. But from the beginning, he threw himself into making friends, connecting with his teachers, and trying to experience a bit of everything UBC had to offer. Over his time at the university he played on the football team, made friends in UBC’s diverse international community, joined dozens of clubs, volunteered, and, after graduating in 2015, he moved to New York to work at one of the world’s most preeminent firms. As many students get ready to begin their first term, Andrew shares the moments he enjoyed most and his advice for new first years.

 

Could you tell us a little bit about what you are up to now?

I work at Goldman Sachs in the investment banking division, focusing on structuring hybrid transactions across public and private companies. Put simply, we help companies who need money reach investors who have it! I have been here in New York since graduation (wow, time flies) and am still very active in UBC recruiting and the UBC network as a mentor to students.

 

What big questions about yourself or your future plans did UBC help you answer?

Put shortly, starting university is overwhelming. Picking a degree, your courses, what you do for fun – everything. UBC helped to answer so many questions by simply being such a large and diverse community. The breadth of students across faculties, languages, interests, and ages really helped to shape and guide me. Being able to connect with professors in small group formats, or be a part of large discussions in class, helped to give me a sense of where my true passion lay and the tools to make best use of a UBC education. The reputation of the school and the alumni group were critical in driving me to the career path I am on now.

 

In what ways did your UBC education and experience help prepare you for what you’re doing?

UBC has so many resources and opportunities no matter what your interests are. Being able to connect with so many unique perspectives and diverse trains of thought really allowed me to expand my horizons and find hobbies and ideas that I was naive to prior. Now that I am in the workforce, the experiences, friendships, and ongoing interaction as a graduate is incredibly valuable in understanding and working with diverse teams.

 

What made you choose UBC?

Blue and gold are my favourite colours! Only joking. It came down to the ability to be a part of both large and small classes, reputation of the school, and the geography. The education provided by UBC both in curriculum and in culture was unlike any other school, in my opinion.

 

Andrew Darcovich UBC Stories

 

What UBC communities, clubs, or groups were most meaningful to you?

I played football and that team has had a tremendous impact in my personal and professional life. Outside of the various Sauder clubs, the amazing Storm the Wall event and intramural sports allowed me to make dozens of lifelong friends that are now all over the world. Having such an amazing campus with so many health-minded individuals has instilled a sense of sport that continues with me today.

 

In your opinion, what makes UBC distinctive from other universities?

It comes down to a lot of what I have said above: culture, community, and curriculum. I look at the amount of opportunities to get involved and how internationally diverse the school is and I realize how it has made me a much stronger professional today. Those choices are reinforced by the number of different courses that you can take – did you know there is an African Drumming class (or at least was one when I was there)? No matter what your background or passion, UBC does so much to ensure that every student has a voice and can pursue their interests both inside and outside the classroom.

 

The breadth of students across faculties, languages, interests, and ages really helped to shape and guide me.

 

What advice would you give to new UBC students?

It is scary to start: moving away, meeting new people, creating and owning a schedule, and more. Don’t feel like you are alone – everyone feels the same. Use it as an icebreaker: get to know people’s stories, where they are from, what gets them out of bed, and learn from them! You may find a shared interest or a new one, but it is at UBC that you will make friends that will last a lifetime. You will only grow from your first day and you are in for an amazing experience.

 

 

Latest Stories

Previous

Space to Grow

BA degree offers International Scholar Hammad a place to belong and find community.
alumni

Space to Grow

"I enjoyed the idea of taking courses from various disciplines while working towards my degree requirements. That has given me unique access to knowledge, skills, and experiences that have been invaluable for my growth and development." - Hammad J., Bachelor of Arts
Axel playing soccer, about to kick the ball

Commerce alum and soccer player Axel on the support he received at UBC as an international student athlete

alumni

Commerce alum and soccer player Axel on the support he received at UBC as an international student athlete

“From playing soccer at a national level, to having fun at the best ski-resort in the world, to traveling through Canada and working in Germany, all while studying at one of the best business schools in the world, I really could not have asked for more during my Bachelor’s degree.” - Axel L., Commerce
Richelle smiling on the stairs at UBC Okangan

Arts student Richelle on studying Indigenous Literature at UBC Okanagan

student

Arts student Richelle on studying Indigenous Literature at UBC Okanagan

"UBC has given me countless amounts of opportunities and support throughout my academic journey. Specifically, within the Indigenous Program Services Department where I was able to create community and connect with other Indigenous students." - Richelle A-B., Bachelor of Arts
Rahman sitting on stairs at UBC Okanagan

Manufacturing Engineering student Rahman on how his passions helped shape his university experience

student

Manufacturing Engineering student Rahman on how his passions helped shape his university experience

"The close-knit community of the campus fosters a very supportive learning environment. I find it very easy to get to know people here and have personalized interactions with both my profs and peers which have been very instrumental in my success so far. The natural beauty of the Okanagan has encouraged me to integrate more outdoor activities into my life, which I find helps my mental and physical health. Overall, the Okanagan campus has not only been a place of academic growth but also a source of personal development. The connections I've made and the skills I've developed here are invaluable and something I will be carrying with me for a long time in life." - Rahman G., Manufacturing Engineering

Global Resource Systems alum Julia on the benefits of a smaller faculty

alumni

Global Resource Systems alum Julia on the benefits of a smaller faculty

"My program, Global Resource Systems, was the perfect fit for me, as I got to apply my passion for sustainable food systems with environmental science, all while focusing on real-world action through an interdisciplinary lens. I was encouraged to take my learning outside of the classroom and apply my learning in other settings, and with so many options, it meant that I could create the exact right combination of experiences to fuel my aspirations and unearth new goals along the way." - Julia T.
Elleda standing in front of a concrete wall

Political Science student Elleda on why transferring to UBC was the best decision she ever made

student

Political Science student Elleda on why transferring to UBC was the best decision she ever made

"When I originally came to UBC as a transfer student, I was unsure of what I wanted my academic and career futures to be. I had just spent a year studying musical theatre in the United States, and realized it wasn’t the right path for me. After taking a campus tour of UBC Vancouver and speaking to the incredible student ambassadors, I knew transferring to UBC was a step onto the right path. Two years later, and it is the best decision I have ever made, though it was extremely scary and nerve-wracking at first." - Elleda S., Political Science
Noah reading a book in the Indigenous Centre

Supporting Indigenous students in higher education

Inspiring educator Noah on pursuing his passions to help Indigenous communities
alumni

Supporting Indigenous students in higher education

"My passion to support Indigenous educational methodologies allowed me to work with my local Syilx community building more connections between community and education for Indigenous youth. This passion drove me to build relationships across both campuses and use UBC’s vast web of connections across the globe to earn credits, work experience, and conduct research to shape my own unique educational experience." - Noah C., Bachelor of Arts
Peter I standing on stairs at UBC Okanagan

Transitioning from Nigeria to the Okanagan

A Computer Science student in the Faculty of Arts, Peter gets to pursue what he loves at UBC Okanagan
student

Transitioning from Nigeria to the Okanagan

"Coming out of high school, I knew I absolutely loathed physics, wanted to avoid math at all costs, and loved solving complex problems with computer science. As such, finding out about the Computer Science major in the Bachelor of Arts at UBC was monumental for me because it meant that I could tailor my degree to prioritize my strengths and help me avoid my weaknesses." - Peter I., Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science
next