Graduating this year, Jasmine Farahat is setting her sights on the future and plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Industrial Relations and Human Resources.
Let’s shine some light on Jasmine Farahat! Jasmine is a dedicated student set to graduate in 2024 with a Bachelor of Management. Growing up in Kelowna, Jasmine’s journey to UBCO was inspired by her father who was a former professor at UBCO. Fueled by her childhood passion for business, Jasmine aspires to forge inclusive work environments and work in the Human Resources field. With achievements like her role as VP of Human for the Management Student Association and her participation in the Management Undergraduate Research Award program, Jasmine has made successful strides in fostering a welcoming atmosphere within the Faculty of Management community.
Q: What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
A: Growing up I always knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in Business. It has always been my dream to own my own business, which is something I am in the process of doing. I believe that the Management program at UBCO teaches and prepares students to navigate today’s challenging and rapidly changing world through collaboration, teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking.
The main reason why I wanted to join UBCO specifically, is because I grew up in Kelowna, and my dad used to be a professor at UBCO. As a child, I remember my mom, brother and I dropping him off at work and it was always such a special experience to accompany him to UBCO. From an early age, it was a goal of mine to follow in my dad’s footsteps and become a part of the UBCO community.
Q: What have been your biggest takeaways from the program?
A: My biggest takeaway from this program is to keep on going and never give up. During my time at UBCO, I learned the importance of determination and adaptability as I faced several challenges such as not being able to interact with people as much due to the pandemic. However, I refused to give up and realized that I must continue to move forward. This mindset allowed me to accomplish several goals such as being involved in extracurricular activities, networking events, community engagement, and volunteer opportunities.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of the program so far?
A: The most rewarding part of the program was the ability to take a wide variety of courses that allowed me to gain as much knowledge as possible. Additionally, engaging in various clubs, job roles, and organizations has been very rewarding. The most fulfilling feeling was witnessing how the skills I’ve developed through these experiences have directly contributed to job applications and my personal growth.
Q: What advice or insight would you give a prospective student considering the program?
A: The advice I would give to a prospective student considering the Management program is to make sure that you don’t limit yourself and always look for ways to get out of your comfort zone and get involved as much as possible. Secondly, I would tell them to take the most out of their courses and the overall program. Students should think outside of the box and consider different ways to apply the skills learned in class to today’s complex business world.
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or student organizations on-campus? If so, what inspired you to get involved?
A: I was involved with the Management Student Association (MSA) on campus as the Vice President of Human Resources. This role consisted of conducting interviews, creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace environment, organizing monthly internal team meetings and workshops, creating, and managing communication channels, and assisting the MSA president with conflict resolution. My friends were the ones who encouraged me to get involved as they thought I would be a great fit for the role.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about the Management Undergraduate Research Award you received?
A: During this opportunity, I was a Research Assistant for Dr. David Walker at UBCO. In this research, we developed a typology of customer bans by examining two research questions: First, what types of customer behaviours lead to customers getting banned? And second, what different types of customer bans do companies use? This experience has further developed my critical thinking skills and enhanced my ability to analyze complex data, allowing me to win the Management Undergraduate Research Award.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: My first goal is to pursue my Masters in Industrial Relations and Human Resources. Moreover, I want to pursue a career in Human Resources. One of my biggest goals is to make meaningful contributions to creating an inclusive and thriving work environment that prioritizes employee well-being.
Q: Do you have anything else you’d like to share?
A: Starting your undergraduate degree might seem uncertain and scary. However, with dedication, everything tends to fall into place over time and work out. Make sure you stay true to yourself and continue to put in the effort no matter the challenges that come your way. You need to trust that your hard work will lead you to success.
Jasmine stands with her MSA peers on the EME steps