Maryam Tosif gives back to communities thanks to the support of student awards

Law and Business student Maryam Tosif is passionate about working with people from diverse backgrounds and giving back to the many communities she is a part of. And thanks to the financial support she has received through student awards at the Ted Rogers School of Management, she has been able to do just that. 

In 2024-25, Tosif was the recipient of the Business Award, the David Miller Award in Law and Business, and the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Business Scholarship, amounting to over $20,000 altogether. “This financial aid allows students like me to invest in a future where we can become pillars of our own communities and give back to those who have supported us along the way,” she says. 

Tosif’s goal is not only to advance in her own career journey, but to uplift and empower every community she interacts with. She has been a member of the Law and Business Student Association, and previously provided pro bono legal support to underprivileged local businesses and entrepreneurs by participating in the Ted Rogers School Law & Business Clinic. Tosif also became a Teaching Assistant in her program because she wanted to provide mentorship to students facing the same challenges she overcame.

Here is what Tosif had to say about her experience at the Ted Rogers School and the impact of student awards:

Why did you want to study at the Ted Rogers School and what do you hope to do after graduation?

I chose the Ted Rogers School because it offered me the ability to remain undeclared for my major during my first year of university. Transitioning from high school to post-secondary can be intimidating because you’re suddenly expected to know what you want to do with the rest of your life. However, the Ted Rogers School comforted incoming students by allowing us to get a taste of various disciplines before choosing our pathway. 

After graduating as a Law and Business co-op student, I hope to work for an organization that truly empowers and uplifts the community around it while growing alongside a rapidly evolving marketplace. Although I will not be continuing my law journey as I am not going to law school, I definitely aim to put my legal background to good use by remaining client-centered and continuously working towards enabling positive policy change.

What has been your favourite experience at the Ted Rogers School?

In second-year, I was the Director of Graphic Design for the Law and Business Student Association. One of my favourite experiences was taking part in the planning and execution of the 2023 Law and Business Conference. Anyone who has been part of a student association definitely knows and understands how stressful and chaotic it can be to execute such large scale events, however, despite all the turbulence, I was extremely proud of how we as students were able to come together, from various backgrounds and skills, and execute such a nuanced event that placed student success at the forefront. 

How did receiving student awards impact you?

Although I have many personal incentives within my life that motivate me to continuously strive for excellence, reward and recognition is a powerful tool that accelerates students’ success. These awards not only feel like a pat on the back that recognize the continuous effort I have invested in my own journey, but they also feel like a warm smile from the Ted Rogers School community for acknowledging the work I have done on campus and beyond. And of course, the financial aspects of such awards lighten my financial burden and allow me to continuously invest in the community that has continuously invested in me since day one.

What advice would you give students thinking of applying for student awards?

I would definitely encourage everyone to get involved within their various communities, whether that be within the Ted Rogers School or outside of campus. If you are someone who shines in the spotlight, then sign up for case competitions and networking events. If you are someone who would rather work behind the scenes to shine the spotlight on others, then get involved in student groups and add your skills into the planning and execution of exciting new events for your peers. 

Getting involved requires you to know yourself, your skills and your goals. Personally, I do better off the stage, so I joined student groups and department committees where my skills of leadership, communication and listening could be put to use in enabling positive change around the Ted Rogers School. Not only will you get to know yourself and have something to write about when applying to student awards, but by putting yourself out there, you become exposed to new, endless opportunities.