Wondering how to make an impact with your business degree or curious about what lies ahead? You’re in the right place! This article is part of an 8-part series, supported by RBC Future Launch, that delves into the entrepreneurial journeys of students and recent graduates just like you. 

To get some real advice, we sat down with two of our 2024 RBC Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award Winners from our Fellowship Program. These business graduates, recognized for their inclusive leadership and entrepreneurial innovation, shared their personal stories, growth journeys, and practical advice, all tailored just for you.

Meet the Fellows

Sophika Dmytryshyn 

Meet Sophika, she has a Bachelor of Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation with a certificate in Marketing Management from Dalhousie University and is currently completing a postgraduate certificate in Marketing Management – Digital Marketing from George Brown College. She’s based in Toronto, Ontario and is a 2024 Venture for Canada Fellow.

Sophika’s story began at Dalhousie University where she first discovered Venture for Canada by attending a workshop on campus. She was able to get a glimpse of what being part of the Fellowship Program would look like. Fast-forward a year later, with VFC still at the back of her mind, she submitted her application and decided to give it a shot! “I was excited by the prospect of a robust program that would build on what I’ve learned as an Entrepreneurship and Innovation major,” says Sophika. 

Those coming from a business or management program will see a lot of overlap and similarities, however, the Fellowship Program will add some extra sparkle! “Tap into the soft skills that you used throughout your degree – think about how you approached group projects, presentations, in-class activities, case competitions or other extra-curricular activities. This includes having an open mind, being able to think on your feet, effectively communicating, problem-solving, adaptability, and working as part of a team,” advises Sophika. 

The Fellowship Program has impacted the way Sophika views her professional journey. “I was able to collect nuggets of wisdom from incredible guest speakers, the supportive VFC staff, and the amazing Fellows in this program. I can’t wait to see how the rest of my year as a Fellow unfolds and I’m excited to grow alongside the talented cohort I’m part of!” comments Sophika. 🎉

Aaron Li

Meet Aaron, he has a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the Schulich School of Business – York University and has a background in accounting, real estate, and the nonprofit sector. He’s located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and is a 2024 Venture for Canada Fellow.

Aaron was already familiar with the Fellowship Program because he was a part of the Intrapreneurship Program at the beginning of 2023. He originally found out about the Intrapreneurship program because VFC provided some info about the program with his entrepreneurship professor to share with the class. He was unsure whether or not to apply to the Fellowship Program for a while and missed a few application deadlines. During the most recent application timeframe, he received an email from VFC and decided to give it a shot, regardless of whether he got accepted or not. 

I would recommend future Fellows take advantage of the opportunity to meet and communicate with Fellows from different academic and cultural backgrounds and try to gain more diverse perspectives. Try to understand business and startups from the lens of someone who didn’t go to business school or from someone who didn’t grow up in Canada and see if you can find ways to combine your perspectives to create more unique and inclusive company cultures,” says Aaron. 

“The Fellowship Program helped me gain more confidence in my skills through the various activities and presentations we did. It also helped me connect with others, like Fellows who are well-versed in a variety of different fields that I wouldn’t have met otherwise (especially since I was in a business school and the majority of my courses were in our own building, making it more difficult to connect with students pursuing other fields),” explains Aaron. 😃