What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
I originally enrolled at UBC Okanagan in the Bachelor of Arts program. I wanted to use Arts as a base for an eventual law degree, thinking it was a more typical pathway into law. While I absolutely loved Arts, when I arrived on campus and started networking with other students and alumni, I quickly realized that Business Management was better suited for my skill set and had the potential to foster more commercial awareness. Campus Services was very helpful and helped select my classes accordingly to ensure I had what I needed to transfer, which allowed me to move into Management from my second year onwards. The areas of skill development that I was drawn to in Arts (critical thinking, interpretation, creative strategy) were all present in Business Management but it was Management’s collegiate atmosphere that ultimately sold me.
What were your biggest takeaways from the program?
Prior to moving to Kelowna, I was a bit more introverted and extremely nervous about public speaking. While presentations were a small part of the program itself, the skills I developed through group exercises and the accompanying work is something I now use on an almost daily basis. The program allowed me to hone my skills in a very supportive environment, alongside people who were all working towards the same thing. Now that I’m working in a role that requires me to negotiate, voice my opinion, and work closely with others, I’m grateful for the foundation that Management gave me. Although public speaking still isn’t my favourite activity, I know I have the necessary tools in place to do so confidently.
In addition to that, and perhaps more importantly, the years I spent becoming comfortable doing group work has completely altered how I view projects and working with others. That has been invaluable.
What was the most rewarding part of the program?
Management helped pull me out of my shell and gave me a very strong footing for my career path. While the project management and creative thinking skills I developed have proven to be useful, the most rewarding part of the program was getting to know other students and professors. I’m still in contact with some of my teachers and reach out to them for insight when needed. Some of my peers remain my best friends today and despite most of us living on different continents and pursuing different career paths, we regularly make time to catch up.
What advice or insight would you give a prospective student considering the program?
Go in with an open mind! While there were certain classes I was nervous about, like Negotiation, I grew to love it. It completely shifted my style of communication and gave me an insight into different personality types and how they operate. As a lawyer, this is obviously a very key concept to grasp, but taking it in university allowed me to work on it in a ‘low stakes’ environment. You quickly realize that everyone is in the same nerve-wracking scenario as you and needs to work together to succeed. Other classes, like Project Management, gave me competitive tactical skills that I used in various roles post-graduation.
It’s been particularly rewarding to see how many different career paths are available from the program. It’s difficult to find two people from Management who have gone down the exact same route, but all are successful in their own way.
What is your current occupation and how did you get there?
I will be a qualified solicitor in England in September 2024. I’m currently finishing my two-year training program (the UK equivalent of articling).
In my last year at UBCO, the owner of a marketing agency (a Management alumni) came into my marketing class as a guest speaker and I reached out about a part time role. I worked as a content writer during my fourth year and upon graduating, I joined the team full time and quickly moved up the ranks to become an equal owner of the agency. During this time I led a team of 10 and handled client services and marketing strategy. I was with that agency for 2 years before moving to Vancouver to join a larger agency and further my professional development with clients in a bigger city. While law was the eventual goal, I truly loved marketing and wanted to gain some career experience before going back to school.
After 2 years in Vancouver, I applied to law school in London, England and moved in September 2019. I did my law degree from 2019-2021, volunteering with pro-bono clinics and interning at Human Rights organizations along the way. London law firms typically recruit 2 years in advance so in my first year of law school, I secured a role with a firm. I then went on to do my Legal Practice Course (mandatory for qualifying solicitors before joining a firm) and in conjunction gained a Master of Science in Law, Business and Management.
I started at Fladgate LLP in September 2022 and my training contract ends in September 2024, at which point I’ll be a qualified lawyer (assuming all goes to plan).
Do you have any career advice you’d like to share?
I’ve had a bit of an irregular career path on the face of it, but I think in this day and age there’s no need to go down a linear route. I absolutely loved my time in marketing, and much like the Management program, the experience I gained during those working years has given me a huge advantage in my current role. All experience is good experience, so make the most out of it. Many of the contacts I built along the way have helped me land where I am.
Beyond the above, I think it’s important to give back where possible. Mentor when you can, and equally seek out people who have done what you want to do and reach out. My dad has had a very successful legal career in Canada and the best piece of advice I received came from him when I moved to London. “In everything you do, do it with integrity. It will always get you far and you’ll sleep better at night’.
Finally, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Most of the opportunities I’ve had (law, marketing, or otherwise) have stemmed from reaching out to people on LinkedIn or attending networking events. If you put in the effort, people will notice. It’s cliché, but you don’t get what you don’t ask for – don’t wait for things to come to you!
What are your future career goals?
I would like to eventually carve out a niche for myself in Environmental & Planning law. With the state of the world being what it is, I want to create positive change and be a force for good.
Do you have anything else you’d like to share?
I absolutely loved my time in the Management program, and UBCO in general. I made some of my best friends there and look back on that time of my life fondly. If anyone has any questions on my career path, or about life in Management/at UBCO more generally, please don’t hesitate to reach out on LinkedIn. My inbox is always open.
