The Elusive Definition of Success: Pursuing Happiness through Internal Validation
In the fall of 2019, eighteen year-old Sally Jiao was one of 80 students who joined the very first cohort of the Beedie Luminaries Scholarship Program. At the time, Sally’s application envisioned a successful future where she would combine her passion for commerce and filmmaking to produce educational videos. Her goal? To give more opportunities to students in need and level the playing field for students just like her.
Nearly six years later, Sally has graduated at the top of her class from UBC’s Sauder School of Business and has relocated to Toronto, Ontario, where she thrives as an Investment Analyst at HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan). Reflecting on her undergraduate journey—the highs, lows, and everything in between—she offers one key piece of advice to students striving for success: self-love and acceptance is essential, and you can’t succeed without it.