When Dylan Getchell walks across the stage at the University of New Brunswick's Saint John fall convocation ceremony, he will become the first in his family to earn a university degree.
But graduating from university wasn't always part of Getchell's plan.
UNB Saint John business graduand Dylan Getchell wasn't sure if university was for him. Now, he's passionate about building a career in accounting aimed at helping small- and medium-sized Atlantic Canadian businesses thrive.
"I didn't even know if I wanted to go to university," said the business grad. "In high school, I knew a guy who knew a guy who had a construction gig. I was like, Sign me up. It sounds like good money.'
"I've always been a hands-on learner, so I figured this would be good for me, and it aligned with my interests. I thought it would be a good experience and would help if I ever wanted to build my own place."
Getchell began bouncing between residential and commercial construction, carpentry and concrete jobs.
"That really laid the groundwork for what I desired to become later in life: being on job sites in the flesh, working behind the scenes."
The accounting major also had a taste for business.
"My uncle started a really successful pizza business in Toronto Descendant Detroit Style Pizza which he's since sold. He started with a small shop and they did really well, so I would go to Toronto and work there in the summer."
Originally, Getchell had planned to take a year or two of university-level business courses in a city like Toronto to lay the foundation for a jump into entrepreneurship.
"I decided I wanted to stay closer to family due to COVID and personal reasons," he said. "But I still wanted to pursue a professional career that offers the knowledge to get into entrepreneurship later in life. As Warren Buffett said, Accounting is the language of business!'"
UNB's Saint John campus offered the balance he was looking for.
"It offered something I could handle. The community was great, and it was close to home," said Getchell, who commuted from St. George throughout his four years at UNB.
He said UNB offers many of the same opportunities as universities in bigger cities, and more. "I really felt like I could make an impact," he said.
But Getchell's early days at UNB weren't easy. His first year took place largely online because of lingering pandemic restrictions, and he struggled to stay motivated.
"For the first few weeks I felt pumped and ready, but once I got there, I just didn't feel as invested as I should have been," he said.
"That was when I thought, You know, maybe this isn't for me. Maybe I should just jump back into work.' That felt like the safer bet."
But encouragement from friends and family kept him pushing through, and soon, Getchell could see himself thriving in a business environment.
When he returned for his second year, everything turned around. He started excelling in his courses, found mentors among his professors, and discovered a passion for accounting.
"I had an amazing time," he said. "I was doing great in my classes. It was a total 180.
"The struggle in itself was a learning experience in developing resilience."
Even with a daily two-hour commute, Getchell made connections within the faculty. Among his mentors are Dr. Matt Wegener, acting associate dean of undergraduate programs and assurance of learning, and Dr. Greg Fleet, associate dean of undergraduate programs and student relations.
"Matt's just so personable and encouraging. After his night class, we'd talk about class work for a few minutes, then we'd start talking about music and hobbies."
Getchell met Fleet in the e-commerce professor's Intro to Business course.
"He offered a coffee and chat for new students. I think I might have been the only person to take him up on the offer, but I'm really happy I did. I only spoke with him a few times, but really enjoyed the moments I did. Greg's really cool a great guy."
When it came time for his first co-op placement, Getchell, who is self-described as "Charlotte County proud," was thrilled to hear placements were available with Cooke Aquaculture a Canadian multinational seafood company and the economic heartbeat of the region.
"They are our local economy in Charlotte County," he said. "As soon as I heard that UNB offered work terms with Cooke, I knew I wanted to be involved. Everybody there is a family friend or friend of a friend."
Getchell completed each of his undergraduate work terms at Cooke, experiences that gave him a better understanding of how local industries operate and the importance they have in the communities in which they're based.
Today, Getchell is applying that experience as an accountant in assurance with Doane Grant Thornton Saint John, where he's also pursuing his CPA designation.
"I just began Core 1 of the CPA program, so I'm diving right in," he said. "I always wanted to develop myself to be a more knowledgeable individual instead of chasing the dollar, and I came to the conclusion that this is home. I want to make an impact here."
"It doesn't matter where I end up entrepreneurially, as long as I am able to help local families with ma and pa shops and medium-sized businesses across Atlantic Canada, thrive," he said.
Both inside and outside of work, Getchell approaches life with profound conscientiousness.
"A philosophy I try to live by is to keep striving to learn and grow, be resilient through challenges, set meaningful long-term goals, treat others with kindness along the way, and everything else will fall into place.
"This is what keeps me going," he said.
The Saint John campus's 43rd Fall Convocation Ceremony will be held on Friday, Oct. 24 at 4:30 p.m. at the Imperial Theatre (12 King Square South).
