Introduction

Hi! My name is Alicia and I’m currently a third-year AFM student. I spent my last co-op term at HOOPP as an analyst on their Public Equities team and will be joining Point72’s New York office as a Summer Analyst in 2026.

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Career Motivation

I think my interest in finance was initially sparked at a fairly young age, largely due to exposure from my family. My father often talked about the stock market, and as first-generation Canadians, my parents prioritized teaching my brother and I financial literacy. This foundation was really reinforced in my 2nd year of AFM though, when I found myself doing much better in finance courses and enjoying them more.
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I was always more drawn to the investing side but wanted to explore different areas, so I joined the Student Venture Fund and applied to a variety of different roles for my second co-op. Ultimately, I accepted an offer at HOOPP as a Public Equities Analyst—and loved it! I had a lot of fun learning about different companies, industries, and evaluating them as investments. The experience solidified my interest in public markets, which led me to my upcoming role at Point72.

A picture from a co-op social at HOOPP!

Co-op Reflection

Recruiting is difficult, and everyone has their own strong suits which should be leveraged but these are some factors that I think helped me stand out as an applicant:

1. Extracurricular Involvement: These helped demonstrate my interest in finance, taught me applicable skills, and crafted my story
2. Grades: Grades don’t define you, and you do not need a super high GPA for finance. However, a high average can differentiate you from otherwise similar candidates
   
   

I know it can be easy to feel discouraged but always keep an open mind and apply broadly—you never know which opportunity will be the right fit. Stay persistent, leverage your strengths, community, resources, and trust that each experience whether a success or setback, will help you grow and get closer to your goals.

Advice for Students

There are many rewarding parts about working in finance but it is a challenging journey. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in finance, my key takeaways and advice for you based on my experience would be as follows: 

1. Take Risks, Have Conviction: Finance is about taking risks and you can’t move forward by being complacent. I took a risk rejecting the return offer for my first co-op, but would not be here today if I didn’t do so
   
2. Join Clubs: The best way to demonstrate that you’re interested or passionate about something is being involved and gaining related experience. If you’re interested in investing, join an investment fund/club
3. Talk to People: There are many different roles within finance; talking to people in those roles can help you grasp a better idea of what they entail and what may be a better fit for you

Hopefully some of my advice was helpful and thanks for taking the time to read about my journey in finance! I hope my experience encourages you to explore different opportunities and find what excites you most. If you have any questions or just want to chat, feel free to reach out :)