What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
Location. Born and raised in (truly beautiful) British Columbia, I moved to the East Coast for my first and second years of university to see the rest of the country, but quickly realized I needed to return. Nothing compares to the mountains and lakes, but more importantly the people and the culture. UBCO was the perfect place for a high-quality education, with a small-town vibe.
What takeaways from the program?
The realization that a quality education doesn’t necessarily require elaborate programs and flashy marketing. It’s what you make of it, and how hard you work at it. If you want to learn something new, sign up for the class and dedicate the time to comprehend it. If you didn’t like a certain subject, move on, and find a different one. Every decision you make helps inform your career trajectory, and not all decisions are going to end the way you want them to. With a smaller institution like UBCO, you get to know your peers and your professors personally, all of whom help guide your career decision making.
Did you participate in Co-op and if so, can you share your experience?
I was enrolled in the Co-op program and in my third year at UBCO, I attended the UBCO Career Fair where I approached the Husky Energy booth and had a great conversation with one of their representatives. We stayed in touch following the event, and I eventually obtained an 8-month placement with Husky. During my time with the company, I formed strong connections with the team and when I graduated, I continued working for them in Calgary. My time with Husky was extraordinarily beneficial, as it gave me the experience and confidence to move into more challenging positions both inside and outside of the company.
What was the most rewarding part of the program?
In all honesty, the encouragement from the professors and program administrators to explore new things, pose questions, and pursue any career objective I was interested in at the time was truly invaluable. It empowered me to think ambitiously, leading me to apply for a co-op position that I initially believed was beyond my reach. Surprisingly, securing that position kick-started my career more than I had anticipated.
What advice or insight would you give to a prospective student considering the program?
If the Okanagan is where you want to live, attending UBCO is a no-brainer.
What is your current occupation and how did you get there?
I am currently a Senior Project Manager with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. I started my project management career in the private sector within oil and gas where I quickly realized that I love built-environment projects. After relocating back to the Kootenays I struggled to find a project management job while living in Nelson, that offered ample opportunities for growth and advancement.
Fast forward to the COVID era, which reshaped the landscape of remote work. By establishing a connection with a key individual from the Ministry, I secured a position that not only offered substantial growth opportunities, but also provided me with a deep understanding of effective teamwork.
Do you have any career advice you’d like to share?
Build relationships with those around you, and not just with those in your ‘inner circle’. Building and sustaining relationships is a fundamental aspect of most careers. If you can build those connections early on in your journey, strengthening what works and learning from what doesn’t, you will be years ahead of your time. Don’t approach networking solely to advance your position, try and gain experience with different personalities and perspectives – especially those you may not agree with. Inevitably you will find yourself working alongside individuals with different fundamental views during your career, and having prior experience will help tremendously.
What are your future career goals?
To lead a team of people to do great things, manage impactful projects, but most of all, to foster a work environment where people can genuinely enjoy their careers and fulfill the lives they envision for themselves and their families. Finding balance (if there is such a thing) is admittingly challenging, a struggle I personally grapple with. But if I can step away at the end of my career with balance, and with a small group of people that I have genuinely inspired, I would consider that a success. Plus, the pension, my future career goals are tied to a government pension and early retirement.
Do you have anything else you’d like to share?
Put your hand up for new opportunities. Even if it feels intimidating or you don’t think you’re qualified, put your hand up anyways. Life has a way of unfolding in unexpected ways when you are open to embracing new challenges.