Anya Titus is a fourth-year student in the Natural Resources Conservation program – Science & Management major at UBC Forestry. She is also the new UBC Forestry Marketing and Communications WorkLearn student helping out with the website and the social media! Anya is a part of the Bachelor’s + Master of Management (B+MM) program with the Sauder School of Business.
In this Q&A, she answers what motivated her to pursue the dual degree, what she has learned and offers advice to Forestry students considering the program.
What made you decide to pursue the B+MM program alongside your degree in Forestry?
I’ve always been passionate about conservation and the environment, which drew me to the Faculty of Forestry in the first place. But as I went through my undergrad, I realized I wasn’t exactly sure what specific career path I wanted to take. I knew I wanted to work in conservation, but I also wanted to keep my options open and explore how I could make a difference in various ways. This led to me applying to the B+MM program as a third-year entry student. The B+MM program stood out to me because it offers such a versatile skill set, skills that are valuable in virtually any field. I saw it as an opportunity to expand my toolbox and prepare myself for a wider range of career opportunities. The program is also very unique and allows you to get both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in 4.5 years!
How has the B+MM program complemented your Forestry degree academically?
In my Forestry classes, I learn about the natural world, the problems it faces and how to manage it in a sustainable and responsible manner. The MM portion has introduced me to the business side of things. The business classes introduce you to a wide range of business skills including marketing, accounting, finance, organizational behaviour, and business communications. The fundamentals of business that you learn during your undergrad are then built upon and strengthened once you enter the Master’s portion of your degree. The B+MM has allowed me to follow my passion while also gaining practical and real-world skills that I can apply to my future jobs. Studying these two areas will allow me to hopefully embed sustainable business practices in organizations in the future.
What skills have you developed through the program?
The Commerce classes are conducted quite differently from Forestry classes. Class sizes are much smaller and emphasize group work and collaboration. This has helped me grow more confident in group settings and tend to simulate team dynamics post-graduation. Due to the smaller size of the cohort, participation in class discussions is important. This has strengthened my public speaking and communication skills. I’ve also further developed my analytical and strategic thinking skills. I have worked on a lot of case studies and hands-on projects that require you to think critically, consider multiple perspectives, and make decisions based on limited information.
What has been your favourite part of the program so far?
I have really enjoyed being able to work with students in other faculties. In your group projects you could be working with other forestry students, a sociology major and even a biology major for example. It’s super interesting because everyone offers their unique perspectives using prior knowledge to tackle business-related problems. I think without being a part of the program, I would not have had the opportunity to work with students who are studying things that are very different from Forestry.
How do you think the B+MM program will impact your career path after graduation?
I think the B+MM program will be pivotal for me as it will open a lot of doors for me after graduation. While I’m still figuring out exactly what direction I want to go in, having a strong foundation in natural resources conservation as well as business and managerial skills gives me the flexibility to explore a wide range of roles. From the program, I have also gained confidence in areas like leadership, decision making, and communication, which are essential in almost any career. I feel more prepared to take on roles where I can influence change.
What advice would you give to other Forestry students considering the B+MM program?
I would say to go for it! Especially if you are like me and are unsure of what career path you want to follow. It’s a really great opportunity to focus on developing professional skills that you might not be able to learn from other undergraduate classes. It’s okay if you don’t know anything about business beforehand as the program is designed for non-commerce students and will teach you all the things you need to know. It’s a unique opportunity to connect what we learn in Forestry, like sustainability and conservation, with business practices. Being able to bridge these two areas gives you the tools and knowledge to create meaningful change in the industries and organizations you will work in. In the long run, it really sets you apart and gives you confidence stepping into the workforce. If you’re even a little bit curious, it’s definitely worth looking into.