Extracurriculars accelerate growth

“Real growth almost always comes from embracing discomfort.”

Meet Zach Eliason. Consistent. Committed. Commanding.
Home: Lethbridge
Program: Bachelor of Business Administration — Finance

Crunching numbers and writing essays is all fine and good, necessary to earn any post-secondary degree. But what took Zach Eliason from an excellent student to an even higher-achieving financial analyst? Mount Royal University’s extracurriculars.

Zach joined MRU in September of 2021, drawn to the business program because of his family background.

“Entrepreneurship runs in my family, so it was something I had been exposed to from an early age,” Eliason says.

“MRU was a place of opportunity at the time, and I liked the small classes and interpersonal atmosphere it provided. You could say it was the right time and place for things to line up.”

Determined to maximize his time on campus, Eliason didn’t waste time jumping into clubs and stacking up internships.

“I did three internships in total over my summers at university. I also worked with the Student Investment Fund (SIF) for two years and was a peer mentor and student ambassador for two years, among other extracurriculars,” Eliason shares.

“I told myself early on that I was going to take advantage of every opportunity to meet people, get involved and experience university to the fullest. For me, it was never about doing things halfway. It was all the way or nothing, and that is how I approach most areas of my life.”

He adds that it was a lot to balance at times, with classwork and juggling personal responsibilities. But all of these experiences shaped him into who he is today.

“Through my roles with the Financial Students’ Organization, I had the opportunity to lead initiatives that connected students with industry, expanded opportunities and strengthened the business community. Being part of groups like the SIF, the MRU Ski Club and the Bissett Accounting Student Society allowed me to build strong relationships, develop leadership skills, and gain perspectives and friendships well beyond the classroom.”

“Zach is an incredibly well-rounded and inspiring student,” Megan Williams says, who is a senior specialist of Donor Relations who collaborated with Eliason when he was a student ambassador.

“He is a wonderful example of how an outstanding student leader balances academics, work and life.”

Eliason says what you learn outside of the classroom is just as valuable as what you learn in it.

“Those experiences are incredibly valuable to me because they accelerate growth in ways that academics alone cannot. They teach teamwork, communication, resilience and leadership, all of which are essential in any career,” he says, adding that extracurriculars also exposed him to a community of like-minded people that he now holds dear.

Another thing Eliason learned during his academic journey was that setbacks are just opportunities.

“Real growth almost always comes from discomfort. Setbacks forced me to adapt, to be honest with myself about where I needed to improve, and to build resilience and discipline. Over time, I became more comfortable being uncomfortable, and that mindset allowed me to take on bigger challenges and continue pushing myself forward,” he shares, adding that hardships are simply part of the process and failing forward is still moving forward.

“In many ways, they shape you more than your successes ever will. It’s easy to stay motivated when things are going well, but real growth happens when you’re faced with challenges, uncertainty, or even failure.”

The President’s/Dean’s Honour Roll and student and Golden Key Honour Society member says that while an excellent GPA and the scholarships and grants he earned are feathers in his cap, this may be the only time his finance-oriented mind isn’t measuring success by the numbers.

“I am not going to sit here and say that I didn't love the external recognition, and who doesn't love to be compensated for excelling. I’m still a finance person at heart,” Eliason jokes.

“But at the end of the day, I measure success by the impact I’ve left behind and whether I’ve helped others grow, gain confidence and move closer to their own goals. Being recognized in that way is something I take a lot of pride in, because it represents the kind of person and leader I’ve worked to become.”

And leadership isn’t about big jobs and fancy titles, Eliason says. It’s about showing up, being reliable, accountable, and supportive. It’s about integrity.

“Some of the most meaningful leadership moments aren’t visible. They happen in small, consistent actions, whether that’s mentoring someone, helping a teammate through a challenge or setting a standard through your own work ethic. For me, leadership became less about recognition and more about responsibility. It’s about leaving things better than you found them and creating an environment where others can succeed more than yourself,” Eliason explains.

“If I were to be remembered for anything, I would want it to be for the positive impacts I made on my fellow students and the MRU community.”

Eliason completed his program in December of 2025 and is now working in private wealth management with BMO Nesbitt Burns. Months after his departure from campus, it’s safe to say his impact was certainly felt.