Bridging Academic Excellence with Professional Achievement – Kian Rastegar’s Pathway to Raymond James Ltd.
Kian Rastegar (Tech MBA ‘24 Candidate) has recently achieved a significant milestone in his career journey by securing a role as a Regulatory and Compliance Intern at Raymond James Ltd. This accomplishment reflects his commitment to professional development, enthusiastic networking, and authenticity throughout the application and interview process.
Before applying for the position, Rastegar invested considerable time in refining his resume to meet the high standards set by Schulich, and was aided in doing so by the structure, guidance, and resources offered through the Tech MBA’s core Professional Development course. Further, through members of the Centre for Career Design’s Corporate Relations team, Rastegar was introduced to innovative recruitment tools, such as personal “trading cards” – an elevated take on the traditional business card – which encouraged him to think creatively about his professional presentation and identity as he began his job search.
Rastegar learned about the Raymond James role through a referral from the CCD’s Corporate Relations Specialist, Dolly Shao. After meeting him at a networking event, Shao was impressed with his positive attitude, eagerness, and breadth of experience. She offered to introduce him to an employer who was looking for someone with his qualifications. When Rastegar was invited to interview for the position, he focused on aligning his authentic self with the company’s needs and culture. He took the initiative to have an informal chat with his primary contact at Raymond James before the formal interview. This allowed him to gain insights into the team dynamics, company culture, and specific role requirements and to showcase his ability to adapt, learn, and bring value to their specific context. These efforts proved to be key factors in his successful application. To leave nothing to chance, Rastegar also engaged with the CCD’s online platform, Quinncia, prior to his formal interview to fine-tune his interview skills.
Reflecting on his experience, Rastegar said, “The CCD’s holistic approach to career development goes beyond traditional job search assistance. They nurture a mindset of continuous growth and adaptability. Their dedication to understanding each student’s unique strengths and aspirations, coupled with their extensive industry connections, creates a powerful synergy that propels Schulich students toward success.”
Kian Rastegar’s successful journey to securing this internship role underscores the value of leveraging available resources, building meaningful connections, and staying true to one’s strengths and values.