From Toy Cash Registers to Business School: Meet Courtney DeGiobbi
Courtney DeGiobbi has had an interest in Business for her entire life. When she was little her favourite toy was a cash register, and things haven鈥檛 changed much since. 鈥淔unny enough my sister鈥檚 favourite was a doctor鈥檚 kit and she recently graduated from CBU鈥檚 Bachelor of Science, Nursing program but it was always going to be Business for me,鈥� says Courtney.
Growing up in New Waterford, NS, CBU was the clear choice for Courtney, but the third-year Bachelor of Business Administration student says she would have happily chosen CBU even if she was from another province. 鈥淲hen people say that CBU鈥檚 small class sizes are a bonus, it鈥檚 the truth,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚鈥檝e gotten to know my professors and even spent the summer working on Economic research for one of them. Having professors who know who you are is the biggest bonus a university can offer its students if you ask me.鈥� Courtney jokes that the stunning Shannon School of Business (SSOB) building didn鈥檛 hurt her decision either.
While Courtney says she is passionate about all of her courses and the experience of learning, what she loves most about CBU are the wonderful people she has been able to meet. 鈥淐oming from a small high school, I was the only one with any interest in Business,鈥� she says. 鈥淣ow at CBU, I鈥檓 surrounded by people who share the same passions as I do which is a fantastic feeling.鈥�
Recently, Courtney was surprised to be nominated for the by SSOB Dean, George Karaphillis. Each year, the Frank H. Sobey Awards for Excellence in Business Studies are presented to Atlantic Canadian Business students who demonstrate academic excellence, 福利免费在线看 activity, entrepreneurial interest and strong career aspirations. We are proud that Courtney was one of 30 finalists for this prestigious award.
鈥淲hen the initial email went out to our class I only had one year of business studies under my belt, but I thought 鈥榳hat鈥檚 the harm in applying?鈥� so I sent in my reference letters and transcripts,鈥� says Courtney. 鈥淏ut when I got an email informing me that the Dean would like me to stop by I was shocked.鈥� Courtney says just to be selected by CBU鈥檚 award committee was a significant honour in itself.
As a finalist, Courtney was presented with a scholarship and an engraved pen which she says has been proudly on display in her bedroom. 鈥淣o, I didn鈥檛 take the top prize,鈥� says Courtney. 鈥淏ut I was up against later year Bachelor鈥檚 and even Master鈥檚 students from across Atlantic Canada. So to have made it as far as I did was beyond my wildest dreams.鈥�
Like many students, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Courtney鈥檚 plans, forcing her to adapt and push forward. While she initially anticipated doing a co-op placement this summer, Courtney refused to let its cancellation slow her down. 鈥淥ne thing anyone who knows me can tell you is that I hate wasting time,鈥� she explains. 鈥淪o I went ahead and applied for four courses over the spring and summer to get ahead.鈥�
Courtney says she wasn鈥檛 sure what to expect during the shift to online learning, but that once she settled in the experience was great. 鈥淚鈥檓 a dog lover, so hearing my professor鈥檚 dogs in the background while they鈥檙e trying to teach definitely brightens my day during these tough times,鈥� laughs Courtney. 鈥淔or my fellow students who haven鈥檛 begun their online classes yet, my advice is to treat it exactly the same as an in-person class even if your professors and classmates can鈥檛 see you. For my first online lecture, I thought I would just pop my headphones on and listen while curled up in bed. That was a terrible idea because I ended up dozing off, sorry Mary Jane! From that point on, I鈥檝e gotten up and dressed for my lectures and I鈥檝e been so glad for it.鈥� While Courtney misses being on campus with everyone, she says she understands that this is for the best and we鈥檒l all get through it together.
Above all else, Courtney says her best piece of advice is to get involved and ask for help. You can currently find Courtney delivering online services through the Math & Science Centre, providing free tutoring to university and high school students.