According to the CGA-Canada website, the award honours “newly certified members who rank as the leading performers across the association based on the average of their PACE Level examinations.”
Zhou, who obtained her CGA designation earlier this year, said it was nice to be acknowledged for her accomplishment.
“The award is certainly an honour. It reflects the passion and commitment I have contributed over the years and it makes me proud of myself.”
Zhou, who graduated with a final GPA of 3.94 and was named to the Dean’s Honour List, credited her education at Conestoga for her achievement. She said the co-op component of her program was particularly helpful in providing real-world experience in the industry.
“The courses of the program are well-designed to help students gain knowledge and skill in demand, and the co-op term gives students the opportunity to gain practical experience,” she said. “It is a great program for students to pursue a career in finance and accounting.”
Like many students in Conestoga’s co-op programs, Zhou was offered a full-time job at one of her placements while she was still a student. Today, she works as a senior analyst (Business Performance & Analysis) for a leading provider of senior accommodations in Cambridge.
Zhou said her success, both as a student and as a professional, has always come down to going the extra mile.
“Hard work always pays off,” she said.
Story by Ryan Bowman, second-year student in Conestoga's Print-Journalism program.