Meet Our Students: Celebrating Success Stories | Karen Oommen

For Oommen, her time at Western was about much more than earning a degree. It was a journey of discovery, growth, and learning how to ask meaningful questions about the world around her.

“Honestly, my Economics and Finance courses are where I fell in love with asking questions,” she says. “They didn't just teach me theory, they taught me how to actually look at the world and ask why it works the way it does.”

Through courses such as International Trade, Economic Development, Financial Institutions, and Strategic Management, Oommen developed a deeper understanding of the systems that shape economies, organizations, and communities. She credits her professors not only for their expertise but also for the encouragement and mentorship they provided throughout her studies.

“As someone hoping to build a career in corporate finance, what meant the most to me wasn't just the material, it was how much my professors believed in me,” Oommen explains. “They constantly pushed me to apply for internships and research opportunities, checked in, and kept their doors open whenever I needed support.”

That support helped lead her to a valuable co-op experience with Kraft Heinz, where she spent a summer working as a Finance Intern and gained practical experience in a corporate environment. The opportunity proved transformative, allowing her to develop both technical expertise and essential leadership skills.

“I learned how to lead with confidence, stay resilient when things got tough, and build genuine relationships with people,” she says. “Every project pushed me to ask better questions, actively seek feedback, and really listen to perspectives different from my own.”

Her success in the classroom and workplace was matched by an extraordinary commitment to student life. For the past three years, Oommen has served as a Residence Don, supporting more than 80 students as they navigated their transition to university life.

“Getting to support students as they found their footing at university has honestly been one of the greatest privileges of my time here,” she says.

Having moved to Canada from Dubai, Oommen understood firsthand the challenges many students face when adapting to a new environment. Her dedication to building an inclusive and supportive community earned her the Community Development Award, recognizing her efforts to create a residence environment where students felt valued, connected, and supported.

Beyond residence life, Oommen actively contributed to the broader Western community. Through her work with the Social Science Students' Council's Academic Portfolio, she helped organize conferences focused on artificial intelligence and undergraduate research opportunities, connecting students with faculty members and researchers. As President of the University Humanitarian Society, she also helped raise more than $3,000 for charitable initiatives supporting both local and international communities.

Her involvement extended to cultural organizations as well, including the Western Indo-Canadian Students Organization, where she celebrated her heritage through campus events and cultural programming. These experiences, combined with her academic achievements and commitment to service, led to another significant recognition: the USC Student Award of Merit.

“To have my growth, leadership, and contributions to the Western community recognized in this way was incredibly meaningful,” Oommen reflects. “It still feels a little surreal.”

Looking back, Oommen believes some of her greatest growth happened when she stepped outside her comfort zone. Her advice to future Social Science students is rooted in that experience.

“I remember feeling completely out of my depth in first year and convinced everyone else had it figured out,” she says. “If I could go back, I'd tell myself to network as much as possible and lean into the things that scare you, because that's exactly where the growth happens.”

She encourages students to take advantage of every opportunity available to them, whether that means participating in the Co-op Program, attending professors' office hours, joining student organizations, or seeking support when needed.

“But more than anything, ask for help,” Oommen says. “There are so many incredible people and resources here just waiting to support you. Go find your people, lean on your mentors, and once you're settled, make sure you turn around and do the same for someone else.”

While graduating with a Gold Medal is a remarkable accomplishment, Oommen views her greatest achievement differently.

“My proudest achievement was what that degree represented: the journey from who I was when I first joined Western to who I am today,” she says. “It reflected years of growth, resilience, leadership, learning, and the many experiences that will continue to shape me far beyond the classroom.”

As she prepares to begin the next chapter of her career in corporate finance, Oommen carries forward the lessons, relationships, and experiences that defined her time at Western. Her story is a powerful reminder that success is not measured solely by academic achievements, but also by the growth, leadership, and impact students create along the way.