As a 4th year Management student at UBC Okanagan, Abby surprised herself by not pursuing entrepreneurship and falling in love with human resources and marketing. Read on to find out how UBC helped her figure out her passions, how she’s embracing new opportunities, and why she enjoys being a big fish in a small pond in what she calls “a competitive yet supportive environment”.
1. How has UBC helped you shape your future?
Becoming a UBC student has opened my eyes to so many possible future careers. I applied thinking I’d pursue entrepreneurship but after my second year in the Management program I fell in love with human resources and marketing. Working for a variety of UBC departments and even minoring in Psychology, I’ve been exposed to more than just traditional jobs. I’ve learned that it’s not the end goal of the future that matters, it’s the journey and people you meet along the way that does!
2. In what ways has UBC allowed you to create your own unique experiences and path?
The ability to be in a smaller tight-knit community while having access to the resources of a larger intuition is a large reason as to why I chose the Okanagan campus. I love being a big fish in a small pond and getting to pursue different opportunities in a competitive yet supportive environment has allowed me to put myself out there, learn from my mistakes, and more importantly try again! I also love that I’m not just a number, my faculty and professors know me by name and we’re able to have meaningful conversations about their research, shared interests, and their journey of getting to where they are today.
3. How have your interests and passions helped to shape your education journey?
I’ve always been interested in leadership and was involved with many clubs in high school. Being able to apply my management learnings to student associations, co-op, and other experiential learning opportunities has been crucial in shaping my passion of giving back to my community. Having the opportunity to learn about various business functions, outside of the typical corporate setting, has been amazing as I get to explore various business sectors that aren’t always taught within a traditional business degree, such as the non-profit sector for example.
4. How does the Okanagan campus inspire how you live and learn?
Where the Okanagan campus is much younger than Vancouver, I’ve learned the importance of embracing new opportunities because you never know where it may lead you. I joined the Management Student Association which led to me being the undergraduate representative for my Faculty’s dean search committee and being successfully elected to the Student Union Okanagan! Getting the be a part of a vibrant and growing campus is something I’ll never take for granted. I know the connections I’ve made with fellow students, but also with faculty and staff, will last well after I graduate.
5. What are your favourite spots on campus?
I have a few study spots that I love. The second floor of the Commons and the EME buildings are for sure the best spots for a good study session, especially when it’s sunny outside and the sun shines through the windows. As for the best study snack spots, I love Comma Café where I usually get the Red Espresso Iced Tea, it’s the perfect refresher on a nice day. I also love J’s Café which is a local Kelowna business with a spot on campus. Their egg drop sandwiches are the perfect motivation snack.
6. Do you have any tips or advice for someone who’s considering UBC Okanagan?
My advice would be to just ask! If you have questions, you’re unsure of something or just want to talk to someone from the program you’re interested in, UBC has done a great job of creating communication channels to connect students with current students and other resources. Choosing a university, especially if you’re deciding between the Vancouver and the Okanagan campuses can be hard and it’s important to make an informed decision!
