Eric Zekai Zheng

Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

“Passionate about self-improvement and learning through failure.”

Hometown: Vancouver, Canada

Fun Fact About Yourself: Enjoys calisthenics and can do ten muscle ups in a row

Undergraduate School and Major: NYU Stern School of Business, Finance and Accounting

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Deloitte & Touche LLP, Manager

Integrative thinking is one of the cornerstones of the Rotman MBA experience. What does integrative thinking mean to you and how have you been able to apply it thus far? Integrative thinking means not memorizing a myopically established framework and instead recognizing that the world is constantly changing while adapting strategic thinking. I believe such approach is especially relevant when I envision my career impact in anticipation of future trend shifts or on more tangibly brainstorm for a case competition.

What has been your favorite part of Toronto so far? Why? The people are some of the nicest and most supportive folks you will meet in a metropolitan. For a person like me who cares very much about who you are with rather than just where you are, the people really make the MBA experience special.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Toronto Rotman’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? For better or worse, Rotman MBA really simulates the real-life experience and exposes you to extensive team challenges throughout its academic curriculum. You will not succeed if you cannot work with others. For some, it means dropping your ego. For others, it means expressing your opinion. I believe such experiences build character.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Toronto Rotman? Foundation of Strategic Management by Brian Silverman has been a pretty incredible second semester class that goes beyond generic cases and tackles intriguing real-life applications. Professor Silverman is also an excellent presenter with extensive real life consulting experience with an awesome sense of humor that will give everyone a good time.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Working with a multi-trillion AUM financial advisor to develop an FDIC insured brokerage banking program and facilitating critical designs of operations in finance and treasury.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? Having worked in consulting and advisory extensively prior, I helped more than a dozen classmates connect with key contacts in the industry and provided personal insights and key information needed for them to make their right decisions for their long-term career.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? Working on a number of case competitions with fellow teammates late night and sharing those bonding experiences followed by some nice hangouts at the local bars.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Toronto Rotman’s MBA program? Believe in yourself but critically have a game plan prior to your application. Life is all about preparation. The more efforts you make to understanding something, the greater chance you will have to become affiliated with it.

DON’T MISS: MEET TORONTO ROTMAN’S MBA CLASS OF 2024