Teresa Mak’s professional photo
From aspiring educator to business management enthusiast, Teresa Mak found her perfect fit at UBCO. Her journey has been characterized by active participation and seizing opportunities at every turn. Teresa’s dedication shines through her involvement in panel discussions, business trips, and club activities, where she engages with industry professionals to build her profile and expand her network. Serving as VP Internal for the Management Student Association (MSA), singing with UBCO Beats, and organizing events as an executive member of the Hong Kong Student Club (HKSC), Teresa has enriched her university experience by fostering friendships and attending diverse events that contribute to her personal and professional development. While she remains open to various career paths, Teresa is particularly interested in pursuing a career in Human Resources.
Q: What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
A: UBC is a highly reputed university, and I have always wanted to become a part of it. I aimed to study education in high school, but due to certain circumstances, I did not apply for an education program. My interest then shifted to pursuing a business degree. One day, while exploring the UBC website for undergraduate programs, I discovered the Management program. I found it interesting and began researching it further. At that time, I was uncertain about my future career path. When I received my offer, I saw it as a valuable opportunity to discover my interests. The Management program covers different aspects of business and offers lots of opportunities. The smaller campus environment at UBCO makes it easy for me to get involved, enabling me to explore various fields and develop personally and professionally.
Q: What have been your biggest takeaways from the program?
A: My biggest takeaway has been embracing opportunities. Within this program, success stems from active participation. The more effort you invest in building your profile, the greater the rewards. This year, I made a conscious effort to attend more panel discussions, business trips, and club activities, which allowed me to connect with industry professionals and speakers. Engaging with the community and utilizing the resources provided by the faculty has truly enriched my experience and degree.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of the program so far?
A: The most rewarding part of the program has been my participation in the Management student community. Last year, I joined the internal team of the Management Student Association (MSA) as a second-year representative, collaborating with students from diverse backgrounds. Together, we organized events aimed at promoting student well-being and engagement. My time with the MSA has inspired me to continue contributing to the club. Therefore, I decided to run for the executive team and currently serve as the VP Internal of the MSA. Compared to my initial days in university, I can see significant personal growth as I take opportunities. These experiences are gradually helping me develop skills and gain insight into my career path.
Q: What advice or insight would you give a prospective student considering the program?
A: Get involved in the student community and build friendships. Looking back on my experience, I can see how much I’ve grown from being a high school student who was unsure about the future, to where I am today. Take initiative and immerse yourself in various events. Once you start university, personal growth extends beyond lectures to developing connections and expanding networks. While it may seem daunting, it becomes manageable once you take the first step by attending events.
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or student organizations on campus? If so, what inspired you to get involved?
A: During my first two years in university, I was a member of the UBCO Beats, an Acapella team on campus where I had the opportunity to sing with students from different faculties at UBCO Beats. We travelled to Seattle to compete against other universities, which was an amazing experience. I am also an executive member of the Hong Kong Student Club (HKSC), where I organize events for Hong Kong students as a community gathering in Canada. In terms of my studies in Management, I joined the Management Student Association (MSA) internal team and now become an executive. I joined multiple clubs to enrich my experiences at UBCO. MSA helped me build professional connections, UBCO Beats allowed me to continue pursuing my passion for singing, and HKSC provided me with support from people in my hometown. This shows that it is not necessary to join clubs directly related to your degree. UBCO has lots of clubs, and there’s always one that resonates with your interests.
Q: What are your future career goals?
A: At the moment, I am interested in pursuing a career in Human Resources. However, my future career goals are not yet fully defined. I believe that through various experiences, my career path will slowly take shape. For now, I am focused on exploration, trusting that it will lead to new aspirations
Q: Do you have anything else you would like to share?
A: It can be challenging if you never take the first step. Once you open the door, you will realize countless opportunities waiting for you to explore. Not everyone knows what they will do in the future. You don’t need to define yourself. Enjoy UBCO, and make the best out of it. You will gradually discover what you like.
Teresa Mak with MGMT friends