UNB Alumni
Telling our #ProudlyUNB stories

Whether you're a recent grad or an experienced professional, there's no better time to be thoughtful about your professional life and career. Two-time UNB young alumnus, Nathan Munroe (BBA '12, MBA '14,) shares his experiences since graduating and chimes in with great advice for fellow alumni.

Q: Did you come to UNB knowing which degree program and career path you wanted to explore?

Like many, I came to UNB pretty unsure of what my future had in store. I finished high-school with grades that could have sent me down multiple paths, but I knew for certain there were a few subjects I just had no interest in. For some people it is very well defined what they want to study in university, but for me I was pretty open-minded.

Q: What was your first job after graduation? 

After graduation I started working as a Financial Analyst for a real estate investment company. As an Economics and Finance Major various aspects of this job were right up my alley. A fellow UNB graduate and I were hired to build financial models to represent various key indicators of the company’s current and future performance.

Q: Were there specific skills you learned during your time at UNB that you highlighted in order to be hired?

UNB gave me opportunities to learn a wide variety of business fundamentals inside the classroom, but it was the extras that helped me stand out. On the court/field I learned how to be a winner and a loser, a teammate and a leader. During my three work terms with the Co-op program I learned a million and one things about being a responsible employee, colleague and manager.

Q: Where do you currently work?

I am the Caribbean Territory Sales Manager for Bumble Bee Seafood International. I work with a small but mighty team at our International Office in Saint John. I am responsible for managing the sales and distribution of all our products in each of the Caribbean Islands. The fact that we are a small shop gives me opportunities to work together with marketing, logistics, customer service and innovation.

Q: If you weren’t in your current career field, what would you be doing?

I’m not sure… I am lucky enough to be enjoying what I’m doing right now so I haven’t had to think about it!

Q: What was your ‘aha’ moment?

I’m still waiting for it! But I would say when you start learning independently about subjects you are more likely to have a ‘aha’ moment. You likely won’t find it in a textbook.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you've experienced since graduating? 

I would say one of the biggest challenges I have faced thus far is transitioning out of the industry I studied for. Since making the transition I have found that almost all the skills I picked up studying Finance and Economics have come in handy in other industries, and who knows I may transition back someday and have new skills I picked up along the way. The thing about challenges is that you usually aren’t the first person to experience them, so find someone older and wiser who has the experience and learn from them.

Q: If you had just one piece of advice to share with fellow young alumni, what would it be?

I have a few! Stay fit and have fun. There are a million decisions you will have to make in life, some you will play your cards well, and others not so well. Just play one hand at a time and be thankful for all the good hands you’re dealt. And find a good mentor! No matter what stage of your career you are in,  someone somewhere has made the decisions you are currently making and they can help you map out your future path. I’m going to sound like a broken record, but for any big decisions try to find good advice from someone who has been there before. Home renovations can be stressful.