Daniel Aleman (BCom’16) is proof of the versatility of a Bachelor of Commerce from the Desautels Faculty of Management.
Despite landing a job at a marketing services firm immediately following graduation, Aleman has shifted careers and is now a full-time author.
His first publication, Indivisible, a young adult novel about a Mexican-American teenager and his family facing deportation, was released in early May 2021.
Aleman developed a passion for writing at a young age. Although he wanted to follow his creative aspirations, his parents pushed him to pursue a BCom.
“I worried that going into a business program wouldn’t allow me to fully develop my creative ability,” recalled Aleman. “But I loved my experience at Desautels. I made incredible friends and learned so much from my professors.”
Like any post-secondary degree, the BCom requires students to be expert writers and communicators, which suited Aleman. He says Professor Lindsay Holmgren’s course Expressive Analysis for Management (BUSA 250) was his favourite during his time at Desautels.
“From my first year at McGill to my final year at McGill, I really evolved as a writer,” said Aleman. “Professor Holmgren in particular truly taught me so much about language and how to utilize language to say exactly what’s on my mind.”
Born and raised in Mexico City, Aleman wrote Indivisible while working full-time.
He connected with a literary agent in late 2018, and the skills he acquired at Desautels came in handy when negotiating with publishers.
“Even though at times I felt like it wasn’t going to serve my creative dream, it was actually the complete opposite,” said Aleman of his business degree. “I have found it has been crucial in helping me promote and market this book. Ultimately, publishing is a business, so having that background is important, no matter what business you’re in.”
With the help of his literary agent, Aleman’s first manuscript of Indivisible was sold as part of a $500,000 deal.
Aleman is now working full-time as an author, with his second novel slated to debut in late 2022.
