New pathways: Grad school stories
Just as one academic journey ends, another begins. More Rotman Commerce students than ever are taking the bold leap into graduate studies. For five soon-to-be grads, whether they’re seeking a path to deeper learning, career growth, or life-changing experiences, grad school offers a chance to take the next step in their academic and professional journeys.
Pursuing a lifelong dream in law and business
From his first year at Rotman Commerce, Luca DiPietro (BCom ’25) knew he wanted to pursue a career in law. After graduation, he is headed straight into the combined JD/MBA program at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law and Rotman School of Management. “I felt that I currently possessed a great deal of academic momentum and was at a stage in my life where I could get the most out of my educational pursuits,” he explains. Surrounded by high-caliber peers at RC, Luca was inspired to keep pushing himself and pursue his long-held dream.
The JD/MBA program stood out to him as the ideal combination for his goals in corporate law, particularly in securities or intellectual property law. “An MBA would be a great asset to my career as I will be able to continue to sharpen my finance and accounting skills while deepening my understanding in areas of commerce.”
Luca is excited to experience the day-to-day of law school—learning from exceptional faculty, engaging with classmates, and getting involved in student life. While he acknowledges the challenge ahead, he is focused on setting short-term goals to equip himself for long-term success.
Luca DiPietro (BCom ‘25)“Pursue a graduate program if you are passionate about the subject matter and feel that it will add value to the career you hope to pursue.”
Shaping a career in asset management
Lauren Zhuang (BCom ’25) is pursuing a Master’s in Asset Management (AM) at Yale University, building on the rigorous academic foundation she developed at Rotman Commerce. “The constant challenge of balancing advanced coursework with practical applications developed both my technical skills and capacity for critical thinking.”
With internship experience and her CFA studies, Lauren saw graduate school as the natural next step to develop the analytical skills required for leadership in today’s evolving financial landscape.
Lauren was drawn to Yale’s program for its prestige and unique curriculum. She shares, “What excites me most about Yale’s AM curriculum is how it integrates cutting-edge quant methods, behavioural insights, and fiduciary responsibility.” Lauren looks forward to immersing herself in this dynamic environment outside of the classroom. “As someone who believes good food fuels great ideas,” she adds, “I can’t wait to try New Haven’s iconic pizza.”
Lauren’s short-term goal is to launch a career in asset management, contributing to strategic asset allocation, risk management, and portfolio resilience. In the long term, she aspires to become senior management, driving digital transformation and ESG-focused strategies.
Lauren Zhuang (BCom ’25)“Take full advantage of Rotman Commerce’s resources to discover your passions, then apply only to programs that match your career vision and background.”
Unlocking new opportunities
“The opportunities that come with a top-tier program are on a whole different level—definitely things I wouldn’t have access to with just a bachelor’s.” Jayant Zhang (BCom ’25) initially viewed grad school as a prestigious next step, his perspective quickly evolved.
Soon to begin a Master of Finance program at a top U.S. university, he is especially looking forward to the challenge of a rigorous academic environment and the chance to work on applied, hands-on projects alongside finance industry professionals. Jayant plans to work in private credit or investment banking in Hong Kong to transition into private equity after a few years.
His biggest advice? “Start early.” He emphasizes that many students underestimate how much early planning matters—whether it’s GPA targets, course selection, or having a clear idea of long-term career goals.
Jayant Zhang (BCom ’25)“Networking with alumni from your dream programs helps more than you’d expect. It gives you perspective and sometimes opens doors you didn’t even know existed.”
Taking the next step in finance
Emiel ten Doeschot (BCom ’25) is pursuing a Master’s in Finance and Accounting at Imperial College London to deepen his expertise before entering the workforce. “The Focus in Finance stream at Rotman Commerce helped me discover my interests and gave me a strong foundation. That experience made me realize how much more there is to explore.”
He was drawn to Imperial’s strong reputation, international outlook, and focus on innovation. The program’s unique blend of finance and accounting felt like the ideal toolkit for long-term success. He shares, “The program structure really appealed to me, and I saw it as the best place to build on what I’ve learned so far while being surrounded by motivated and curious students.”
Emiel is excited to live in London, engage with new perspectives, and take on rigorous coursework. In the short term, he plans to begin a career in investment banking. Over time, he hopes to lead complex transactions and contribute meaningfully to a team.
Emiel ten Doeschot (BCom ‘25)“Giving yourself enough time to research, reflect, and put together strong applications makes a big difference.”
Broadening horizons through finance and economics
Driven by curiosity and a desire to deepen his understanding of financial markets, Haorui (Horace) Zhang (BCom ’25) is pursuing a Master of Science in Financial Economics at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. Horace viewed grad school as an investment in his human capital—trading a year of work for greater long-term expertise and opportunity.
He reflects, “RC taught me to take a long-term view, much like evaluating an investment.” A pivotal class project simulating the role of a fund manager sparked his passion for applying theory to real-world contexts. Additionally, encouragement from family and the inspiration of alumni who pursued their master’s abroad helped solidify his decision.
Horace was drawn to Oxford to learn from world-renowned professors and immerse himself in a diverse, global cohort. He looks forward to developing his expertise in corporate finance and behavioural finance while immersing himself in Oxford’s rich academic traditions.
Horace hopes to build a career where he can apply his Rotman Commerce foundation and Oxford education to help companies make sound financial decisions and guide investors ethically. He aims to continue broadening his perspective and skill set, maintaining the growth mindset he developed during undergrad.
For students considering grad school, Horace emphasizes the importance of preparation.
Haorui (Horace) Zhang (BCom ’25)“Don’t go to grad school just because it seems like the logical next step or others are doing it—go because it aligns with your passion or will help you achieve your long-term goals.”
Reflecting on his journey, he adds, “In hindsight, I realized that my support network… was incredibly willing to help me, but I had to take the initiative to ask.”
For Jayant, Emiel, Luca, Horace, and Lauren, grad school is more than just a degree —it’s an opportunity to learn, challenge themselves, and align their education with their ambitions. This next chapter is a chance for them to grow, meet new people, and take a meaningful next step towards their future. Congratulations to all our graduates of 2025, we look forward to cheering you on life’s big stage.
By Cammyn Lim (BCom ’26) | June 18, 2025
