Bachelor of Management student Haider Mohammad
Introducing Haider Mohammad, a driven student set to graduate in 2024 from the Bachelor of Management program. His journey into the program was fueled by a curiosity for the world of business which has led him to explore diverse fields like accounting, finance and entrepreneurship. Haider saw UBCO as not just an academic institution but a place to improve his interpersonal skills and create opportunities with his involvement in the Management Student Association and his role as VP of Academics.
Q: What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
A: Growing up, I was intrigued by how the world works and the endless possibilities within it. When I went to high school, I enrolled in an entrepreneurship course that opened my eyes to the world of business. After high school, fields such as accounting, finance, and entrepreneurship were key areas of interest and thus, I joined the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO. My goal when joining the program wasn’t exclusively related to academics, rather, I wanted to develop my interpersonal skills and prepare myself for the future beyond UBCO. I believed the Bachelor of Management program had the resources I was seeking through its industry connections, student initiatives, informative courses, and other compelling opportunities.
Q: What have been your biggest takeaways from the program?
A: I’m fortunate to have a great support system around me which has allowed me to share experiences and conversations with some incredible people. Through these conversations, my biggest takeaway has been that a student’s success is predominantly dependent on their willingness to take initiative. At the end of the day, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. UBCO is a world-renowned university that provides students with every resource they could imagine. Campus volunteering positions, exchange programs, and interactive events are some examples of how students can shape their degrees based on their passions and goals. Furthermore, the professors are extremely supportive and want the best for each student; it’s up to us to utilize those resources and challenge ourselves.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of the program so far?
A: The most rewarding part of my UBCO experience has been the connections I’ve built along the way. From conversations with professors during office hours, studying with friends in the library, or interacting with community members, I’ve made lifelong connections. The Faculty of Management is a smaller program compared to UBC Vancouver Sauder School of Business, but I’ve grown to appreciate that. The smaller class sizes allow for more personalized conversations with professors and enable you to learn through one-on-one conversations. It also makes for great references and letters of recommendation!
Q: What advice or insight would you give a prospective student considering the program?
A: Embrace the challenge. Make uncomfortable your comfortable. Every student in their undergraduate program faces uncertainty but you have to take on the risks and put yourself out there. University at the end of the day is an opportunity to grow, but that growth shouldn’t be confined to the classroom. There are hundreds of clubs and initiatives on campus, and thousands more elsewhere in Kelowna. Find your passion and try new things.
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or student organizations on-campus? If so, what inspired you to get involved?
A: During Covid, it was difficult to build relationships with my peers. Once school went back to in-person, I wanted to meet new people. As a result, I joined the Management Student Association (MSA), engaging with various groups to expand my knowledge and growth. My first role was becoming a member of the business trip committee, which allowed me to collaborate with other students to organize three business trips to Calgary, Vancouver, and Kelowna. I also joined both the Consulting Club and the Accounting Club, enabling me to build my professional network and work closely with consulting and accounting firms.
My proudest achievement, however, was being elected as the VP of Academics for the 2023/24 school year. In this position, I led a team of four to organize two successful business trips to Calgary and Vancouver. We were responsible for arranging travel, hotel accommodations, food, and company visits for over 50 students… not an easy task for a full-time student. I learned to trust my team and discovered the leader within me. Additionally, I arranged the RBC Case Competition where 36 students worked with a team of four to analyze a real-life case, empowering students to strengthen their analytical, teamwork, and presentation skills. Lastly, I worked with the Engineering Society (EngSoc) to organize an Industry Mixer for over 150 students, which included 13 companies from different industries. Over the year, I engaged with over 100+ companies across multiple cities, aiming to enhance the campus life experience for students through networking events, professional development, and collaboration opportunities.
Q: If you have participated in the co-op program, what were the greatest benefits of the program and what advice would you share with someone considering doing a co-op?
A: The UBCO Faculty of Managements Co-op Program facilitates the student hiring process through its connections with hundreds of companies across multiple provinces. While I never participated in the co-op program myself, I recognize the benefits it has for students as many of my friends were co-op students. One of the biggest challenges for students after graduation is finding relevant jobs related to their studies and specific interests. Having work experience integrated into the education system fosters necessary connections and soft skills while strengthening your resume considerably. The program opens the doors to multiple careers and provides hands-on experiences for students to discover their passions.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: Having completed the CPA prerequisites with the Faculty of Management, I will start the CPA PEP program in May 2024, to pursue my professional accounting designation. While that is a compelling goal for the next few years, I’m most excited to see what the future holds. I don’t have those answers right now, but I’m excited about the journey and look forward to seeing where my career goes. The great thing about the CPA program is the career flexibility it provides, broadening your job horizon and allowing you to pursue hundreds of careers based on your interests and expertise. Many of the accounting and finance professors at UBCO started their careers with a CPA, which is exciting as teaching is an intriguing career path.
Q: Do you have anything else you’d like to share?
A: Take life one step at a time. While four years may seem like a long time, it truly flies by, and before you know it, you’re saying goodbye to some of your closest friends admist the beginning of your next chapter. I promise you, everything will work out, but in the meantime, try to enjoy life and make the most out of every opportunity. Whether it’s an upcoming final, finding a job, or personal matters, try not to let your stress consume you and do try to save some time for yourself.
