Meet the CMA Campus Ambassadors

If you're looking for more information about the CMA designation, look no further than your own campus. CMA Alberta has ambassadors at most major post-secondary institutions in Alberta. Find your campus ambassador below and contact them with any questions you may have about the CMA designation. They'll be more than happy to tell you how a CMA can help you as you start on your career path and tell you about the exciting CMA events coming up in the next few months.

Email Aaron

Aaron Bird Mount Royal University Third year accounting student On campus, you're most likely to find me: at the library or in the gym. I chose to be a CMA Ambassador because: I believe in the exciting opportunities that are available with a CMA designation. The best part about being a CMA Ambassador is: meeting great contacts and being in a position where I can educate other students about the designation, why they choose CMA and how to become a CMA. I want to get my CMA designation because: it is the most diverse and well-rounded professional accounting designation, equipping you with skills that allow you to work outside the accounting realm. I think students should consider a CMA designation because: I find it by far the most intriguing designation available that creates career possibilities beyond number crunching. I think the most important qualities in a leader are: humbleness and confidence. The coolest place I've ever travelled to is: Mexico. I went this summer to visit a friend and the people there are absolutely amazing. The best concert I've ever been to was: Relient K at Warped Tour 2008.

Email Patrick

Patrick Caroline SAIT Polytechnic Third year accounting student On campus, you're most likely to find me: in the Students Alliances office. I chose to be a CMA Ambassador because: I would like to know as much about the designation as possible. The best part about being a CMA Ambassador is: the flexibility; I can promote the designation and events in between classes, after studying or at the end of the day when my classes are over. I want to get my CMA designation because: I love the management side of business and that's one of the pillars of the CMA designation. It's not just about numbers. I think students should consider a CMA designation because: it's recognized around the world. My favourite song on my iPod right now is: "I Cut Like a Buffalo" by the Dead Weather. The strangest food I've ever eaten is: snake. The most challenging assignment I ever had to complete was: my fourth-year accounting software project. It involved every aspect of what I learnt in semesters one, two and three. The best class I ever took was: Organizational Behaviour. I loved the idea of finding structure in something as abstract as behaviour.

Email Cathy

Cathy Chen University of Calgary Fourth year accounting student On campus, you're most likely to find me: in the AISEC office in the Scurfield Hall clubs trailer or in the business library. I chose to be a CMA Ambassador because: I truly believe the CMA designation can prepare students for a great career path. The best part about being a CMA Ambassador is: networking, meeting interesting people and helping other students know what options exist when it comes to professional accounting designations. I want to get my CMA designation because: the CMA designation provides sound training in both accounting and business analysis and strategic thinking. I think students should consider a CMA designation because: understanding accounting is essential for any business. I think the most important qualities in a leader are: integrity, dedication and assertiveness. In my spare time, I like to: learn a new skill or sport. These days, I'm into classical dance, stocks, golf and snowboarding. The coolest place I ever travelled to is: Rome. No other city comes close! I really enjoy its rich history and stunning architecture. And best of all, I met some amazing people from around the world. The best piece of advice I ever received was: Be the one taking the first step. Don't end up taking the safe route and risk never understanding what you are truly capable of.

Email Nathan

Nathan Petersen University of Alberta Third year accounting student On campus, you're most likely to find me: in the JDC office in the Business Students' Lounge. I chose to be a CMA Ambassador because: I am passionate about the power of the designation and the ability it has to prepare students to enter a professional world that demands superior level of innovation and creativity. The best part about being a CMA Ambassador is: getting to share the knowledge I have about the designation with my peers. I want to get my CMA designation because: as an accounting student, I don't want to pinhole myself into being an articling student for a public practice firm. Instead, a CMA designation will help me quickly move into a specialized field of practice with an extensive technical skill set and the ability to think about things at a holistic level. I think students should consider a CMA designation because: more than ever, employers are looking for students who can differentiate themselves from other candidates. By obtaining a CMA designation, students are doing just that by learning to think outside the box while maintaining the ability to think critically and rationally. I think the most important qualities in a leader are: the ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a team and challenging a team to do what they know best. In my spare time, I like to: play piano, quad, read, go to the theatre and invest in the stock market. The best summer job I ever had was: working with an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, 21 African penguins and three Californian sea lions. Although it has nothing to do with what I'm doing now, it helped me learn to pay attention to details, which will help me as I progress in my career. The best piece of advice I ever received was: "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have."

Email Annie

Annie Qian Grant MacEwan College Third year accounting student On campus, you're most likely to find me: in the library. I chose to be a CMA Ambassador because: I'm eager to promote the CMA designation to my peers at Grant MacEwan College and help them advance their careers. The best part about being a CMA Ambassador is: working closely with the staff at CMA Alberta and gaining valuable knowledge about the designation. I want to get my CMA designation because: I want to be able to use my creative thinking skills instead of solely focusing on the numbers all the time. I think students should consider a CMA designation because: CMAs have the ability to look beyond the numbers and posses a unique skill set that gives them the knowledge to provide leadership, innovation and visionary thinking for organizations. The coolest place I ever travelled to is: Xinjiang, China. If I could choose one place in the world to live, it would be: Switzerland. My favourite memory of college so far is: all the wonderful instructors I've met at Grant MacEwan College. The best class I ever took was: Corporate Finance.

Email Steve

Steve Schwartz University of Lethbridge Fourth year management student - accounting stream On campus, you're most likely to find me: in class. I chose to be a CMA Ambassador because: it's a great way to network and learn more about the designation. The best part about being a CMA Ambassador is: attending CMA events. I want to get my CMA designation because: it will open a lot of doors and help me reach my career aspirations. I think students should consider a CMA designation because: it gives you a lot of options for your career path. When I finish school, I want to: start my career, obtain my CMA designation and continue to learn. In my spare time, I like to: Play volleyball and play frisbee with my son. If I could be anybody in the world but myself, I would be: a kid. My favourite song on my iPod right now is: "Funny the way it is" by Dave Matthews Band. If I won the lottery, I would: start my own business.