Matthew Guitard: Oxford University Press Award Recipient
Meet Matthew Guitard! Matthew is currently pursuing a BA in Law with a concentration in Business Law. Originally from Ottawa, Matthew is the recipient of this year’s Oxford University Press Award in Law.
What lead you to decide to pursue your BA at Carleton?
At first, I began my first two years of my undergrad at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Halfway through my second year I decided to take time off to move back home, work, and live life a little as my grades were not the best… I became sidetracked and next thing I knew two years flashed by in a blink of an eye and it’s September 2024 and I decided I needed more purpose and finally felt motivated again to work on my studies so I applied to Carleton for January 2025 winter term and was accepted.
Do you have a favourite part of your program (whether a specific course or instructor, or something else)?
The best aspect of my program is in my eyes the business law courses as for me it’s where my interest is drawn to. Most of the professors that I have had in my time at Carleton who teach business law courses, for example Professor Hashim Oudeh or Professor Salazar, have an excellent ability to turn courses built on loads of information which is important (but often boring) into something that makes the work and learning a far more pleasant experience.
What are you hoping to do after graduation and what do you hope to gain from your degree?
After graduation, I am hoping to pursue law school, attending either University of Ottawa, or Queens Law for my JD. After law school, who knows where the road will take me.
Any advice for incoming students?
Putting in the time and effort is only half of it- the other half is your mentality. To succeed and accomplish what you want in life, you need the kind of self-belief that might look delusional to other people. Trust yourself, have faith, relax, and take things one step at a time. Prioritize your happiness, peace, energy, and relationships, because school and work should never come before your well-being. Take as many breaks as possible, do not rush through life, and remember that time goes by faster than you think, it’ll be first year, then next thing you know you’re graduating four years older about to start working till your 60’s. Take it easy it’s never that deep.