UBC Student Wins Top Co-op Honours in BC/Yukon for Fifth Straight Year

Himali Chhabra

Himali Chhabra: 2023 BC/Yukon University Co-op Student of the Year

As a Strategy Consultant Co-op at TD Bank, Himali excelled in her business and technology role, through which she charted a course towards a meaningful career, while illustrating the strength and versatility of an Arts degree.

Making an Impact on TD’s Design Strategy

In her day-to-day responsibilities, Himali acted as a “competitive intelligence engine,” conducting secondary research on competitors to determine industry trends, emerging technologies, and behavioral patterns. She also supported TD’s primary research, including helping to evaluate a purchase flow predicted to yield a significant increase in incremental revenue and contributing to over 10 projects, some of which laid the foundation for the team’s patentable ideas.

Himali is a shining example of how to put theory into practice in the workplace. Drawing from her studies in Psychology and Economics, she applied ideas and insights backed in academic research to her work at TD, including developing strategies to overcome hesitancies around saving for retirement and critically evaluating the impact of emerging technologies on people.

Himali earned high praise from her supervisor for operating at a level “well beyond her years of experience” and for being instrumental in researching innovative technologies.

5-Year Streak of Provincial Recognition for UBC Co-op Students

With Himali's award, it's the fifth year in a row that a UBC student has been recognized by ACE-WIL BC/Yukon. Previous winners:

About the ACE-WIL Student of the Year Awards

ACE-WIL BC/Yukon Student of the Year Awards honour students who demonstrate outstanding levels of achievement in their co-operative education or work-integrated learning experience; combined with a strong academic record, volunteer activities, and significant contributions to promoting co-operative education in their school and in the community. There are four categories, including University Co-op Student. Students are selected based on impact to the partner organization, student (self), and post-secondary institution.