How this UBC Sauder B+MM alum brought practical skills from the classroom to her career

In an increasingly competitive business landscape, students look for more than just textbook knowledge to succeed—it's the hands-on experience that prepares them to tackle challenges in their career. UBC Sauder’s Bachelor + Master of Management Dual Degree program (B+MM) does just that, combining academic coursework with practical, experiential learning, especially through its Community Business Project (CBP). 

The B+MM program allows students to pair their UBC Bachelor’s degree from select non-business faculties with UBC Sauder's Master of Management program and earn both degrees in just four and a half years. 

For Maya Abu Risheh, a recent graduate of the program, her time in the B+MM program provided the technical skills necessary for her career and a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the nonprofit sector.
 

Blending passion and business practicality

When Abu Risheh first enrolled in the B+MM program, she wanted to pursue a degree that she was passionate about. As an avid reader and writer, she majored in English and sought to complement her creative, analytical mindset with business skills that would allow her to apply her knowledge in a broader business context. 

“I wanted something that would push me out of my comfort zone,” Abu Risheh shares. “The B+MM program offered the perfect mix of business acumen and practical application within a concise timeline.”

For Abu Risheh, one of the standout elements of the program was the Community Business Project (CBP), a three-month initiative where students are assigned to work in small groups with nonprofit organizations and social enterprises selected by UBC Sauder’s Business Career Centre.

Real-world experience: solving business problems for nonprofits

Abu Risheh’s CBP team consisted of four students, each bringing their own unique perspectives and skills to the table. Her team was tasked with creating a strategy to help the Children’s Hearing and Speech Centre maintain and diversify its funding sources. This involved conducting extensive research, both internally and externally, on the organization’s past funding history and exploring broader trends in nonprofit funding.

“We looked at other larger for-profit organizations to see if there were opportunities for corporate partnerships,” Abu Risheh explains. “We had to figure out not only which organizations would align with the Centre’s values, but also how to craft a compelling pitch to engage these organizations as potential donors.”

The results of their work and recommendations were met with high praise. A representative from the Children’s Hearing and Speech Centre shared their experience working with Abu Risheh’s team.

“I had hoped for great results from the teams, and that's exactly what we received in the end. My expectations were high, and they were met. This was the third time I have worked with students from UBC Sauder on projects. The students presented information that has given us new insights, and some great suggestions for which industries to focus on for partnerships.”
 

Developing key skills for the workplace

The CBP wasn’t just a learning experience for Abu Risheh—it was an opportunity to develop and refine skills she would later use in her career. 

“One of the biggest takeaways from the program was the importance of collaboration,” she reflects. “We had to learn how to work together as a team, hear each other’s opinions, develop a cohesive plan and work with clients. We set up a board to keep track of all our deadlines, draft submissions, and stay on top of meeting schedules. That level of organization was key to our success.”

Since graduating, Abu Risheh has joined Vancouver Coastal Health as a Brand and Strategy Specialist. 

“I’m constantly drawing on the experience I gained from CBP,” she says. “Whether it’s managing relationships, solving problems, or working under tight deadlines, the skills I learned in the program are directly applicable to my current role.”
 

Building a network of lasting relationships

While the B+MM program provided Abu Risheh with invaluable professional skills, it also gave her something she didn’t expect: a close-knit community of peers and mentors. Unlike her undergraduate experience, where relationships were often fleeting due to the large student body, the smaller, more intimate nature of the B+MM program allowed her to build lasting connections.
 

“I didn’t expect to form the strong relationships I did,” she says. “During my undergrad, it was harder to maintain relationships because the school and faculty were so big. But during the six-month Master of Management portion of the B+MM program, I built a supportive network of friends and professionals that I’m still in touch with today.”

Reflecting on her experience, Abu Risheh shared her overall sentiment and advice for future B+MM students. 

“Be open-minded and say yes to as many opportunities as you can. The more you’re involved, the more you’ll get out of the program. I learned so much from my peers, from the faculty, and from the nonprofit we worked with. It’s an incredible opportunity to gain real-world experience and build lasting connections.”