Barrett Nash
Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it?
I chose Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST) since I believed, and still believe, that we are in a cross-disciplinary world and that the jobs of the future are going to be different than what a traditional major prepares a student for. I believe IDST is often overlooked when it’s incredible flexibility can be an empowering thing for a student to achieve their academic ambitions.
What were some of your most meaningful experiences at UBC?
I was fortunate in my first year to take the pilot Arts Foundations program, a full-year program consistingof three interconnected courses, each taught collaboratively by three professors with different academic backgrounds. It felt pretty visionary and I believe it provided a solid foundation for my academic studies.
What choices did you make at UBC that contributed to your career success / journey?
I was burned out in my second year and signed up on a whim with Go Global to be a volunteer teacher in Ghana. This transformed my life and led me to become a tech entrepreneur in Africa for fifteen years.
What was your first job after graduation and what other jobs did you have before your current position?
While I was at UBC, I worked three days a week at ShearWater Research, a Vancouver-based technology startup that builds computers for deep water diving.
Then I worked with One Laptop Per Child on deploying 140,000 educational laptops in Rwanda, and after that I worked at Carnegie Mellon University Africa.
Following that, I launched SafeMotos, an on-demand motorcycle ride hailing service focused on safety in Kinshasa and Kigali, Kenya.
Now I am running InfiniteUp, a software development agency and technology startup.
Is your current career path as you originally intended? What challenges did you face in launching your career?
One of the pleasures of my life has been that many of the career opportunities I have faced were beyond my capacity to imagine when I was back at UBC.
The world provides so many opportunities and I feel that what UBC and my Arts IDST degree gave me was the intelligence, flexibility and professionalism to handle myself in a complex, ever-changing world.
What do you like about your current job and what do you find challenging? How does it relate to your degree?
Remote work is awesome! You can live anywhere, be with the people you love all day, and take a nap when you need it.
What advice would you give to students and alumni interested in breaking into your industry?
Don’t try to predict the future. The job market is always going to change. Rather, become passionate about something and follow the things that give you meaning. But also, be ambitious. Become the best at your field and you will never want for a job.
What advice would you give your graduating self?
Don’t stress so much. The number one thing you’re taking away from UBC are the people you meet and the memories you make.
Barrett Nash
Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it?
I chose Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST) since I believed, and still believe, that we are in a cross-disciplinary world and that the jobs of the future are going to be different than what a traditional major prepares a student for. I believe IDST is often overlooked when it’s incredible flexibility can be an empowering thing for a student to achieve their academic ambitions.
What were some of your most meaningful experiences at UBC?
I was fortunate in my first year to take the pilot Arts Foundations program, a full-year program consistingof three interconnected courses, each taught collaboratively by three professors with different academic backgrounds. It felt pretty visionary and I believe it provided a solid foundation for my academic studies.
What choices did you make at UBC that contributed to your career success / journey?
I was burned out in my second year and signed up on a whim with Go Global to be a volunteer teacher in Ghana. This transformed my life and led me to become a tech entrepreneur in Africa for fifteen years.
What was your first job after graduation and what other jobs did you have before your current position?
While I was at UBC, I worked three days a week at ShearWater Research, a Vancouver-based technology startup that builds computers for deep water diving.
Then I worked with One Laptop Per Child on deploying 140,000 educational laptops in Rwanda, and after that I worked at Carnegie Mellon University Africa.
Following that, I launched SafeMotos, an on-demand motorcycle ride hailing service focused on safety in Kinshasa and Kigali, Kenya.
Now I am running InfiniteUp, a software development agency and technology startup.
Is your current career path as you originally intended? What challenges did you face in launching your career?
One of the pleasures of my life has been that many of the career opportunities I have faced were beyond my capacity to imagine when I was back at UBC.
The world provides so many opportunities and I feel that what UBC and my Arts IDST degree gave me was the intelligence, flexibility and professionalism to handle myself in a complex, ever-changing world.
What do you like about your current job and what do you find challenging? How does it relate to your degree?
Remote work is awesome! You can live anywhere, be with the people you love all day, and take a nap when you need it.
What advice would you give to students and alumni interested in breaking into your industry?
Don’t try to predict the future. The job market is always going to change. Rather, become passionate about something and follow the things that give you meaning. But also, be ambitious. Become the best at your field and you will never want for a job.
What advice would you give your graduating self?
Don’t stress so much. The number one thing you’re taking away from UBC are the people you meet and the memories you make.
