Students hired before they graduate

 
Financial Services Management student, Mehran Salimian, enjoys career success before graduation.

Mehran Salimian was expecting to prepare his resume for job-hunting after he completed the Financial Services Management Program at Douglas College.

Instead, the Coquitlam native was hired as an Account Manager at a major bank - before he even graduated.

"I got the job of my dreams," says Salimian who now works at the bank full-time while he finishes one last night course to graduate. Salimian was able to tap into the industry contacts that the faculty has built, and successfully pass an interview with management.

Hiring graduates right from the Financial Services Management program has proven to be business as usual, says program chair George Stroppa.

"At one point this summer, I didn't have enough grads for these positions. It just tells you how employers view this program," says Stroppa.

The Financial Services Management program at Douglas College is unique in design, created in close consultation with banks and credit unions. Employers gave input on what they wanted to see in a two-year diploma program so that it would meet workplace requirements.

"Our program is so popular because it is purely focused towards training people for financial services representatives in financial institutions," says Stroppa.

Students in the program enrol in the Canadian Securities course, which is required across Canada to be licensed in the industry. As a new employee, Salimian felt the program equipped him for his job.

"The program definitely prepared me. I know the background of the financial industry. I can comment on different products and the customers listen to me because I have a license."

A Port Moody Secondary graduate, Salimian enjoys having all the responsibility that comes with a job of this level.

"I enjoy the feeling of helping people make good financial decisions."

To learn more about the Financial Services Management Diploma Program, contact George Stroppa at stroppag@douglas.bc.ca or call 604-527-5768.

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