UBCO management students ready to help local businesses and non-profit organizations – Think Local

Photo: UBCO

Rotary Center for the Arts Executive Director Colleen Fitzpatrick worked with UBCO management students.

If your company is facing a complex challenge or a major growth decision, UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Management may have the right solution.

The final project of fourth-year Bachelor of Management students at UBCO is the Capstone Service Learning and Consulting course, which bridges the gap between the theories taught in classes and practical business challenges.

That’s where Okanagan businesses come in. Jamie Snow, director of interdisciplinary collaboration and experiential education at UBCO, reaches out to Okanagan businesses and nonprofits looking to gain insights from dedicated and motivated students ready to make an impact.

“We are looking for partners who want to work with a small group of students,” says Snow. “This collaboration not only provides students with a fantastic learning experience, but also supports businesses by providing practical solutions to pressing challenges.”

Each year, student teams of four to five people work with a variety of industries – hospitality, tourism, technology, nonprofits and manufacturing – to bring fresh perspectives to business challenges. These partnerships have proven to be mutually beneficial, as companies gain tailored solutions and students learn to cope with real-world pressures and expectations.

The structure of the capstone program has been carefully designed to maximize outcomes for both students and companies. UBCO instructors oversee the program, matching groups of students to projects submitted by community partners. Throughout the 13-week semester, instructors guide students to ensure that the solutions developed are practical, applicable, and relevant. Organizations participating in the program only volunteer their time, as the program is free of charge.

“We really try to make sure that there are solutions, recommendations and research that will help companies grow in an efficient and productive way,” Snow says.

At the end of the semester, each team presents their findings in a formal presentation and a detailed written report – both of which contribute to their final grade. Many companies have found this experience useful, and some even provide job opportunities to students after seeing their talents first-hand.

The management capstone program also addresses contemporary business challenges such as generative artificial intelligence and market expansion strategies, preparing students to meet the changing demands of the business world.

“This program strengthens the bond between UBCO and the Okanagan community,” says Snow. “This is an opportunity for organizations to nurture the next generation of talent while creating an educated workforce ready to contribute locally. Many of our students want to remain in the Okanagan, which makes this partnership especially meaningful.”

The Rotary Center for the Arts recently participated in the program, and Executive Director Colleen Fitzpatrick was impressed with the impact it had on her organization.

“Student engagement in fostering creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving has greatly enriched our program planning,” Fitzpatrick says. “We are grateful for the opportunity to work with UBCO students to help shape future leaders.”

The capstone course runs from January to April, and the application deadline for businesses and nonprofits is November 15, 2024.

To learn more about the capstone course, visit the UBCO website here.

This article was written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.