Former Drop Out Needs Advice

Hey everyone,

Here is my story, I hope to get some honest opinions and maybe some advice,

I moved to Canada when I was 17, mainly worked odd jobs and didn't go to class much, was self-employed at 19-20 for a few years and started a small logistics business when I was 22. 

While running this business, I tried going to university (non-target) as a part-time Economics student but never showed up to class and got low grades, was too busy dealing with clients. I dropped out after 2 years as a part-time student due to an accident that left me stuck in a wheelchair for almost 2 years. That last semester when the accident happened I didnt even bother to show up for finals and was de-enrolled. But hey, atleast my business was doing good!

Fast forward 3 years of being out of school, covid hit and my business failed due to supply shortages. So I re-enrolled as a full-time student in the same university, retook the courses I originally failed that last semester & been getting strictly A's & A+'s since returning as a full-time student. So my GPA for 3rd & 4th year is 3.9/4.0 and it even earned me a scholarship for "returning mature students" lol lame I know... the issue is my cumulative gpa being 3.4 due to those first 2 years as a crappy part-time student in my early 20's. 

I tried to make up for it by participating in stock pitch/trading competitions but only got 3rd place both times. 

Anyways Im 29 now, graduating in 1 semester (been taking 3-4 courses each semester since I dont have student loans and pay out of pocket), no internship experience and no internship for this summer. I also registered for the CFA level 1 exam this august and signed up for the CFI - Financial Modeling & analysis course this semester, both of which really drained my pockets. 

Anyways, my current plan is to get accepted to a Masters of Finance program in Schulichs business school and secure a student loan.

The Mfin admission requirements apparently only care about your GPA in last 2 years of study, a good GMAT score or passing the CFA lvl1 exam to waive the GMAT, some programs require work experience but not this one.  

So here are a few questions:

1) Should I retake some old courses after my last semester to boost my CGPA?

2) Should I try and get at least 2years of work experience before applying to graduate school so that I can apply to UofT or Queens Mfin programs as well? 

4) What kind of finance/econ related jobs do you recommend for me to look into after my final semester is done? most internships are interested in current students and not recent graduates, I really enjoy equity research or S&T type of work, I often research derivative strategies for fun.

It really sucks being a returning mature student who is a former-drop out, your old grades drag you down and your age is a discouraging factor that constantly lingers in the back of your mind.