Bao posing under nice weather with shades
Someone give Bao Thai an award for the most diversely involved Bachelor of Management student! As a third-year student, Bao’s commitment to personal and professional growth is evident through his participation in the MSA as the VP of Finance, UBCO Rock N Roll, the Accounting Club, the UBCO chess club, RBC, JDC West and the Finance Club. In these roles, Bao honed his public speaking and analytical skills which has aided him in becoming the winner of the Live Case Competition! Bao’s dedication to continuous improvement and community engagement is also reflected in his future aspirations as he aims to pursue the CPA program at Deloitte after completing his co-op experience there.
Q: What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
A: I was drawn to the world-class education offered in a smaller campus setting, which allows me to easily connect with peers and professors.
Q: What have been your biggest takeaways from the program?
A: The greatest takeaway for me has been the opportunity for involvement. Participating in case competitions like RBC, JDC West, and the Live Case Challenge has significantly improved my public speaking skills. Additionally, joining clubs such as UBCO Rock N Roll, the Accounting Club, and the Finance Club has helped me make new friends and network with professionals in various fields.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of the program so far?
A: The most rewarding aspect for me has been the opportunity to lead and contribute to the student body as the VP of Finance of the Management Student Association (MSA). I genuinely enjoy being a part of an organization that brings students together by hosting events, case competitions, and business trips to Calgary and Vancouver.
Q: What advice or insight would you give a prospective student considering the program?
A: There are four pieces of advice I would offer to prospective students. Firstly, surround yourself with individuals who inspire personal growth. Secondly, dive into campus life to network, create memories and gain new skills. Additionally, in academic pursuits, prioritize excellence over perfection. The pursuit of perfection often leads to unhealthy comparisons, insecurity, and frustration. Lastly, don’t skip class, particularly ECON 101.
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or student organizations on-campus? If so, what inspired you to get involved?
A: I am a member of the UBCO Rock N Roll Music Club and the Chess Club, and I am planning to join the tennis club next year. I also participated in JDC West, an academic club where students analyze business cases and present to a panel of judges, which has significantly improved my presentation and public speaking skills.
Q: Are you or have you been in a co-op placement? If so, what was your role with that company?
A: I will start my co-op term at Deloitte Calgary as an accounting student in January 2025. My role involved auditing Canadian and international companies across industries and using data analytics to provide insights for clients.
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 greatest benefit of the co-op program is getting relevant, real-life experiences that are going to benefit me in my final year of study. Having the peace of mind and knowing that I don’t have to look for jobs in my final year will also allow me to focus on studying since this is the most challenging year of my degree.
The most important piece of advice for someone considering doing a co-op is to focus on perfecting their resume. The co-op program at UBCO and the Consulting Club offers workshops that provide resume feedback. Staying active on LinkedIn and attending networking events will also show potential employers their dedication and will increase their chances of getting hired.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: I plan to pursue the CPA program at Deloitte Calgary after graduation. It will take three years to complete, and I aim to advance within the company afterward.
Q: What were some valuable takeaways that you learned from the Live Case Competition that could be applied to your university journey and your career?
A: From the Live Case Competition, I have learned to always begin a presentation with a story instead of a team member introduction. It is a powerful tool that will capture the audience’s attention more effectively. I will use this approach for my Capstone project and future presentations.
Q: What advice would you give students if they were to participate in the Live Case Competition?
A: My advice for future students participating in the Live Case Competition would be to avoid barriers between you and the audience, such as a table or a podium. Instead, try to stand beside them while maintaining eye contact, smiling and speaking loudly and clearly, which will make you appear more confident. Public speaking requires a lot of practice and students should consider practicing by volunteering to present in class and participating in other case competitions such as RBC and JDC West.
Q: Do you have anything else you’d like to share?
A: In my first year, I considered myself a misfit because I did not succeed academically. I started to pay more attention in school in my second year and got much better grades. If I had known a lot of students were also struggling in their first year just like me, I would have been kinder to myself.
Congrats to Bao for winning the Live Case Competition!