Jennifer (Jing) Zhu an international student currently in her 2nd year of the Co-op Management Program at the University of Toronto Scarborough, has already proven herself to be a rising star and well-rounded student who is committed to top notch academics while also giving back to the University and local community.

Originally from Nanjing, China, Jennifer always had the dream of attending school abroad.  After being nominated by the Principal of The Nanjing Foreign Languages School and impressing UTSC’s Director of Student Recruitment and Registrar in a personal interview, Jennifer’s dream finally came true when she was able to enroll in U of T Scarborough’s Green Path Program (which in Chinese translates into “the way to success”).  The Green Path Program requires that students participate in a 3-month academic and English as a Second Language Program in preparation for studies as an undergraduate at the University of Toronto Scarborough.  When asked why she chose UTSC, Jennifer replied “I always knew that I wanted to come to the University of Toronto because it has the best reputation back in China.  I chose the Scarborough campus because I wanted to be in business and the B.B.A. degree and Co-op Program really stood out to me.”

In her time at U of T Scarborough, Jennifer has shown that she is interested in more than just pulling off high grades.  In her first year, she participated in the Student Venture Program (SVP), a competitive and also time demanding Program in which students compete to see their business idea brought to reality (SVP).  Jennifer showcased her entrepreneurial drive in her composition of a comprehensive business plan for an independent automobile importing/exporting business.  The SVP is by having the most outstanding business plan as ranked first the professional panel of judges.  Jennifer was also a member of the Volunteer Network Program (VNP), completing over 200 volunteer hours at events such as the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto and the Daily Bread Food Bank. 

As a second year student, Jennifer has embarked on being even more involved in extracurricular activities.  While continuing to be an active member of the VNP, she is now also the Vice President of the Green Path Association of U of T Scarborough; she is responsible for sourcing sponsorships and maintaining the association’s budget.  Moreover, she provides academic, professional and personal guidance to 11 first year international students as a mentor through the Green Path Program and the Buddy Program.  Jennifer is also committed to extracurricular activities in her academic area of interest as an extremely active member of MESA (Management & Economics Students’ Association), participating in LIVE (a 2-day national business conference), the InvestYoung Stock Market Competition and Street-egic Edge, a program fashioned after the hit TV-show The Apprentice, designed to help students enhance their street smarts and business skills through exciting and fast-paced challenges.  

Jennifer strongly believes that every student should get involved outside of their academic studies not only because it looks good on one’s resume but also because, “being involved is the best way to meet people and enhance your interpersonal skills especially as an international student” she states.   When asked how she is able to stay on top of her studies and remain so involved, Jennifer says, “It’s all about time management.  If you choose to be involved you have to schedule time for studying and stick to it.  If you fully concentrate on your studies during that time then there will always be time left to get involved!”

Impressively, Jennifer has been able to get involved while maintaining an outstanding cumulative GPA.  She credits much of her success to the “the Co-op Coordinators and Professors who are always ready to help students, wherever and whenever.”  Jennifer also states that she is fond of the small class sizes and corporately integrative curriculum, as it allows students to think and learn analytically, with a real world perspective.  “I really appreciate the fact that management courses are structured and designed in such a way that I am able to implement what I have learned in the real business world, especially through the Co-op Program,” she says.

Jennifer is considering focusing her studies in either accounting or finance, and one day hopes to earn her CA and CFA designations.  However, she, is adamant about keeping her options open.  Jennifer remarked, “I am very interested in share market and have already undertaken some small personal investments, so that is why I definitely think accounting or finance is what I want to do, but I am also keeping an open mind.” In terms of future extracurricular commitments she is working towards holding a position on MESA’s executive team, adding “I would love to have an even more active role in MESA that has helped me tremendously in developing my leadership and other business skills.”   

While at U of T Scarborough, Jennifer has been the proud recipient of the University of Toronto Scholar Award and made it onto the University of Toronto Scarborough Honours List at the end of her first year.  In China, she was the recipient of the first prize for both the National Physics/Mathematics Olympics Competition and National Critical Writing Award.  She also proudly received the Distinction Award for the International Skills Test in Australia. 

In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys maintaining and adding to her rare coin collection complete with international and dated currencies.  She is also a seasoned swimmer, having won the title of #1 Model Student Under 10 after competing professionally in China. 

The Management Department is proud to call Jennifer (Jing) Zhu one of our own.  She is an inspiration to her fellow students and an outstanding protégé to faculty.  One thing is for sure, Jennifer has no plans of slowing down and we look forward to hearing about her future successes which are inevitable.