UBC Sauder BCom alum on building a business by leveraging the Co-op program

Like many first-year Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) students, Venesia Wijaya didn’t arrive at UBC Sauder School of Business with a set career plan. Coming from Indonesia, she was drawn by the beauty of the campus and opportunities the school offered. Through the UBC Sauder Co-op program, she found the confidence and skills to start röo-mahku, a dinnerware business she co-founded after graduation.  

“One of the biggest reasons I chose UBC was because the campus is stunning,” said Wijaya. “Of course, UBC Sauder is one of the top business schools in Canada, but what really drew me in was the chance to spend four years in such a beautiful and welcoming environment.” 

That decision set the stage for experiences that would shape her career — though not everyone was convinced at first.  

UBC Sauder is one of the few business schools in Canada to offer Co-op dedicated entirely to business students, where students gain paid, hands-on work experience as part of their degree. The program is one of the many features that make the BCom degree unique, giving students the opportunity to explore industries, build new skills and expand their networks to launch their careers before graduation. 

Her parents were initially hesitant and worried that adding co-op work terms might affect her studies. 

“Looking back, we couldn’t be prouder because joining Co-op was one of the best decisions she made,” said Wijaya’s parents. “We’ve watched her become more confident, independent, resilient with every challenge she’s taken on and grow in ways that classroom learning alone couldn’t.” 
 

Gaining confidence through Co-op 

Through Co-op, Wijaya gained experience at a startup, a large Canadian corporation and even at UBC Sauder. Each role taught her something different. 

“Some roles confirmed what I loved, others showed me what I didn’t want,” she explained. “Each experience gave me a different lens on how businesses operate, from scrappy, fast-moving teams to structured, large-scale organizations.” 

She credits her Co-op terms with helping her define her career path, from industries and roles to values and team dynamics. She felt left behind, as if everyone else knew exactly what they wanted while she was still figuring out her direction. 

In 2024/25, UBC Sauder students completed 535 Co-op work terms across industries like finance, technology, consulting and retail. Nearly 60 percent of UBC Sauder Co-op students secured full-time job offers from their work terms. 

With over 4,500 co-op job postings and dedicated Co-op Career Strategists, students like Wijaya are supported every step of the way. Co-op students have found opportunities in a diverse range of organizations, including in SAP, KPMG, L'Oreal, Scotiabank, Pepsico and more. 

Building röo-mahku 

Wijaya’s co-op experiences proved invaluable when life took an unexpected turn. When an immigration setback delayed her return to Canada, she used the time to launch röo-mahku, a dinnerware brand co-founded with a fellow BCom alum.  

“I was frustrated at first. Then I thought, ‘what can I make of this time?’” she reflected. “Building a business from scratch was tough, but it’s one of the things I’m most proud of.” 
 

Launching röo-mahku opened her eyes to many firsts with every step a learning curve, from product development to shipping fragile products safely across borders. 

“In many ways, running a business feels like doing ten co-op jobs at once,” said Wijaya. “My co-op experiences gave me the best crash course in agility and adaptability, and that mindset was essential when building röo-mahku.”  

Today, röo-mahku products are found in homes across North America and even in one of her favourite Vancouver restaurants, Sawasdee Thai. 

Courage and risks 

Wijaya ties her ability to take that leap back to her personal support system and her experience during her UBC Sauder Co-op journey. 

“There were times I didn’t believe in myself, but my professors and Co-op Career Strategists did,” she said. “Their encouragement helped me step outside my comfort zone, including chasing opportunities I thought were out of reach to eventually starting my own business.”  

A UBC Sauder alum introduced her to an opportunity at Lululemon, where she now works as a Content Operations Coordinator.  

Nearly half of Co-op students are international, and many, like Wijaya, find that alumni connections and co-op experiences open doors to their next step. 
 

Reflecting on her own journey, Wijaya’s advice for future students is to not compare your path to others. 

“The only real competition is the older version of you,” she said. “Things have a way of working out when you stay open, curious and grounded in your own pace.”