Alumni Testimonials

Cohort: 2020

Known Job Title: Associate, Portfolio Strategy & Analytics

Known Employer: SLC Management

Date of Testimonial: November 11, 2024

Cohort: 2022

Known Job Title: Analyst, Investment Risk Research

Known Employer: Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO)

Date of Testimonial: September 29, 2024

Cohort: 2023

Known Job Title: Rotational Associate - Global Risk Management

Known Employer: Scotiabank

Date of Testimonial: November 8, 2024

My name is Travis Knox, an MFE alumni that completed my coursework in December 2023 and graduated in June 2024. I currently work as a risk rotational associate at Scotiabank, having completed terms in Structured Credit and Funds Risk Management, Global Automotive Credit, and currently Financial Institutions, Insurance, and Securitization.

There are a few courses that really advanced my skillset in finance that I have applied during my time at Scotiabank, including Financial Economics, Cashflow Analysis, and Value Investing. These courses did an excellent job at understanding foundational concepts in finance, breaking them down, and then leveraging those lessons in real world applications, whether it is the stock competition in Financial Economics, the comprehensive financial statement analysis of a current public company in Cashflow Analysis, or the series of historic analyses and current public company analysis in Value Investing.

Why is this important in my job? Working with counterparties in both the commercial and corporate space, an understanding of the lending/derivative products they require, along with a strong skillset in breaking down a company's operations and financial statements and pairing that with a strong macro framework of larger financial/economic themes or trends makes me a more competent risk officer, able to better identify potential risks, ask better and more informed questions, all while being able to build a strong understanding of the company and industry I am dealing with. 

My internship experience during the program was a great opportunity to take my coursework that I had completed through my undergrad and MFE experiences and leverage it to get a strong understanding of what the key responsibilities of a risk officer are. Being able to absorb a lot of information about companies across a broad range of industries, ask important questions, and develop my own confidence instead of just relying on my managers and directors was fundamentally based on having a strong foundation in economic and financial concepts. Having that knowledge allowed me to put aside the more shy, timid side of myself and have a greater confidence in my opinions and decision-making, take advantage of networking opportunities, and stand out as one of the associates that really applied themselves to learn and differentiate themselves by taking on as many opportunities that came my way. The feedback I am most proud about receiving that I have continued to get across the different teams I have worked on is that I ask great questions, and that's important in risk (and learning), and is built upon a lot of the knowledge and experiences afforded to me in courses like the ones listed above.

The professional development aspect of the program (kudos to MFE Career Services Officer, Mark Hamilton) really set me up for success. Having been a shy person, Mark really allowed me to put my best foot forward both on and off paper, prepare for interviews, and go in confident that I would not only be a good fit for the role, but that I would succeed and bring value to the team I stepped onto. The flexibility in choosing between a Winter or Summer term, or both, allowed me to spend the Winter term practicing my interview skills applying to as many jobs as I could, even though I knew I was only going to take a Summer role. Most of all, professional development taught me that if you don't shoot your shot and ask for the things you want, great opportunities will pass you by and you may not get a second chance at it. These learnings go beyond just my professional experience, really helping me to develop into a more well-rounded person in my personal life as well.

I started out not really knowing if the MFE program was right for me. My best friend (and to be frank, personal mentor) encouraged me to apply having completed the first year of the program. I did, and was accepted, and only after completing the first term did I realize how transformational it had been for me. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing - MFE gave me a skillset that has really allowed me to grow as a person, while entering into the finance industry through the "back door" at a manager level. I always knew I loved the macro lens, connecting the dots and building the bigger picture is what really fascinates me, and that's what I most enjoy about my day-to-day at Scotiabank as a risk manager. Though I didn't know beforehand how much risk was a great fit for me, the MFE program has been instrumental in setting me up for success now that I found the role that really makes me tick. On top of that, it gave me a network, and to be more specific, a lot of friends with whom I share a deep passion for politics, economic, and finance, and stay in close contact with to this day. At the end of the day, a big factor in personal success and happiness is who you get to spend your time with, and MFE has given me a group of friends and colleagues that continue to push me to new levels of success.

Fun anecdote - I really enjoyed the applied elements of the dreaded derivatives course. It was hard when it was very centred around theory and this is the part a lot of new students are told horror stories of, but pricing out the derivatives by hand in the second half of the course was something I found really interesting and quite fun. Me and a few friends spent hours and hours practicing (and I was even teaching them how to price some of the options trading strategies!). I felt really confident, woke up and walked across campus to the exam, and failed. It was really crushing, but a great lesson in failure and how even though you may not always be able to put your best work down on paper on a given day, your success is a marathon and not a sprint, and this along with a few other bad marks are all great lessons I try to share with the ~1/2 dozen mentees I meet with that are currently in MFE, from my other alma mater UWaterloo, and within Scotiabank.

Cohort: 2024

Known Job Title: Rotational Associate – Capital Market Risk Management

Known Employer: TD Securities

Date of Testimonial: July 21, 2025

Introduction

My name is James, and I am a graduate of the MFE program, having completed my studies in June 2025. Currently, I work as a rotational associate at TD Securities, specializing in capital markets risk management.

Coursework

During the program, I completed several courses that deepened my knowledge in Finance, Economics, and Statistics, such as Financial Economics, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Portfolio Management. These courses not only enhanced my understanding of financial markets but also sharpened my technical skills, ranging from coding to advanced mathematical and statistical concepts.

Why MFE?

I chose the MFE program because I wanted a deep, rigorous understanding of financial markets and risk management—skills that are essential in today’s dynamic financial landscape. The program’s comprehensive curriculum, paired with its hands-on approach, gave me the perfect blend of technical knowledge and real-world application. The MFE program not only sharpened my quantitative skills but also connected me with a diverse network of like-minded individuals who share a passion for finance. Looking back, the MFE experience set me on a path to my current role at TD Securities, where I can confidently contribute to capital markets risk management, all while drawing on the deep foundation I gained from the program.

Why is this important in my job?

The MFE program provided a strong foundation in quantitative analysis, financial modeling, and risk management—all of which are essential in my role as a rotational associate at TD Securities. Working in capital markets risk management requires not only technical expertise but also the ability to interpret complex financial data in real time. The program’s rigorous curriculum and hands-on projects helped me build the practical skills and strategic thinking I rely on every day.

Internship Experience

My internship experiences at Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) and OPSEU Pension Trust (OPTrust) were invaluable in bridging the gap between the theory I learned in the MFE program and the real-world applications of risk management. They gave me the opportunity to apply concepts from my coursework in quantitative risk modeling and total fund management while also gaining insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of a risk officer. These experiences helped me build confidence in my ability to absorb complex information across various industries, ask critical questions, and develop my own perspectives—rather than solely relying on guidance from my managers. Having a strong foundation in financial and economic principles from the MFE program empowered me to engage more confidently in discussions, network with professionals, and seize opportunities that set me apart as someone who was fully invested in learning and growing. The feedback I’ve received across multiple teams, that I ask insightful questions, is a testament to how the MFE program prepared me to think critically and make meaningful contributions in the field of risk management.

Professional Development Program

In addition to the technical skills I gained through coursework and internships, the MFE program's professional development support played a crucial role in my career journey. The guidance I received from Mark, the program's career advisor, was instrumental in navigating the job application process and preparing for interviews. Through personalized coaching and industry insights, I gained a clearer understanding of what employers look for, and how to position myself as a strong candidate in the competitive financial services sector. The career development sessions also helped me refine my communication skills, network effectively, and approach my job search with greater confidence. This holistic approach to career support complemented the technical training and allowed me to transition seamlessly into my role at TD Securities, with a strong understanding of both the technical and professional expectations in the industry.

Fun Fact

One of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences during the MFE program was working on the portfolio strategy project in the Empirical Asset Pricing class. Our team was tasked with acting as consultants for a pension fund, where we had to design a tailored portfolio strategy that would meet their specific investment goals. We not only had to apply theoretical concepts, but also think creatively and strategically to ensure our approach was practical and realistic. The most exciting part was when we saw the backtesting results—the strategy performed exceptionally well, which was a testament to the strong foundation the program gave us in both quantitative finance and asset management. This project wasn’t just an academic exercise; it was a real-world simulation that gave us invaluable insights into how financial strategies are developed and evaluated in practice.

Cohort: 2024

Known Job Title: Quantitative Associate

Known Employer: TD Securities

Date of Testimonial: August 7, 2025

Hi, I'm Rayan Abu-Sardanah, and I’m excited to share my experience in the Master of Financial Economics (MFE) program at Western University as a guide for prospective students like you.

Graduation and Current Role

I completed the MFE program in June 2025 and now work as a Quantitative Associate at TD Securities in Toronto. It’s a role that blends analytical challenges with real-world impact, and the MFE program helped me get here.

Memorable Courses

A few courses really stood out. Applied Financial Econometrics opened my eyes to modeling market trends with data, making complex concepts feel approachable and useful. Financial Risk Management taught me practical ways to assess and manage risks, which I now use daily. Empirical Asset Pricing was engaging because it let us explore trading strategies hands-on, connecting theory to practice in a way that felt exciting and relevant.

Internship Experience

My internship at OPTrust in Capital Markets Investments from January to August 2024 was a game-changer. I worked on projects like building a recession prediction model and analyzing portfolio liquidity using Python. The experience taught me how to turn data into actionable insights and communicate effectively with senior colleagues. It also helped me build a network of mentors and peers who continue to guide me, showing me the value of collaboration in finance.

Preparation for Career

The MFE program gave me a strong foundation for my job and beyond. Courses provided technical skills, like using Bloomberg Terminal and coding in Python, which I rely on at TD. Professional development, like resume workshops and networking events with industry speakers, helped me present myself confidently and connect with professionals. Participating in case competitions, like the Rotman International Trading Competition, taught me teamwork and creative problem-solving—skills that make a difference in my current role.

Recommendation

I’d absolutely recommend the MFE program to anyone considering a career in finance. It’s rigorous but supportive, blending theory, quantitative skills, and real-world applications. The faculty and peers create a community that pushes you to grow, and the program’s focus on internships and networking sets you up for success. If you’re curious and ready to work hard, this program will open doors.

Fun Anecdote

One night, my MFE study group got carried away debating yield curve models for a competition. We filled every whiteboard in the room, laughing as we ran out of space. It was a moment of shared passion and camaraderie that reminded me how much I enjoyed learning alongside such driven classmates.

I hope this gives you a sense of what the MFE program offers. It’s a challenging but rewarding journey, and I’m confident it can help you achieve your goals. Best of luck!