Students a part of the Digital Enterprise Management Association (DEMA) at the University of Toronto Mississauga are on the front lines of learning how technological advancements are reshaping business operations. One such student is Nabeeha Ahmed, a 3rd-year specialist in DEM with a Major in Professional Writing and Communication (PWC) who is currently interning at Microsoft’s Canadian Headquarters in Downtown Toronto. In our conversation, Nabeeha reflected on her journey, the skills she learned through the DEM program, and the lessons she learned along the way. 

Before tech was her track, psychiatry was the plan. Nabeeha originally wanted to be a psychiatrist; however, STEM did not spark joy. In the 11th Grade, while volunteering at Achēv, a charitable organisation that helps people achieve employment in the GTA, her hidden talent was uncovered. She started as a Marketing & Communications Coordinator volunteer for Achēv’s youth services department, was recruited part-time, and then became a Youth Program Coordinator. Her youth program mentor helped her realize her talent and passion for marketing and encouraged her to look into communications for higher education. This is how she came across DEM. Although what helped Nabeeha fully decide on DEM was talking to the DEMA students tabling at the 2022 fall campus open day, when she was in the 12th Grade. That tabling gave her the confidence to join DEMA and DEM. 

There are some courses that helped Nabeeha develop her skills and get to where she is right now. One course in particular that stood out was EDS345H5 • Design Thinking Incubator: From Problem to Prototype Course. During the course, students are assigned a project where they are instructed to find a community problem and create a solution through the principles of design thinking. Nabeeha and her team revamped the UX/UI and marketing and communication strategy for the UTM Accessibility Services. Additionally, DEM gave Nabeeha the tools she needed to understand business operations and how to work in a team. 

Despite her successes, much like many UTM students, Nebeeha was humbled when she first started university. She went through imposter syndrome, rejection, and FOMO (fear of missing out). Her way of coping with imposter syndrome was by being kind to herself. She stopped comparing herself and recognised that university is a learning curve. However, when it came to dealing with rejection, Nabeeha emphasised the importance of getting back up. When Nabeeha was considering a gap year, she experienced FOMO. She worried about falling behind and graduating late. What helped her was remembering not to compare herself to others. She is finding her pace, and life is not a race. 

In April 2025, Nabeeha began interning as a Communication & Business Program Manager under the Americas Chief Operating Officer (COO) organisation at Microsoft. She works under the Americas Business & Sales Operations (BSO) team, where she aligns employees with tools and structures to enhance sales and business operations. Her role in business enablement involves: managing internal communications, developing operational assets, and maintaining team resources. In addition, Nabeeha is working to develop AI agents using Microsoft Copilot Studio to automate workflows for various business & sales operations. For example, she created a chatbot to help employees across the Americas navigate the internal Microsoft SharePoint site, which is a Microsoft product not only used by Microsoft internally, but companies worldwide to create a secure, effective, and manageable site  to store information and resources that employees rely on. Moreover, Nabeeha is working on a stretch project where she is a Product Marketing Manager, working to increase usage for Microsoft 365 Copilot in the higher education segment throughout Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Nabeeha shared some final parting advice to UTM students. Nabeeha emphasizes the importance of utilizing the resources available to you as a student like the UTM Career Centre. Additionally, Nabeeha stresses the importance of networking. She recommends attending events and investing in your friendships because they can open unexpected doors. However, most importantly, Naheeha recommends trying as much as you can, while you still can. University offers a low-risk environment to try new things, but the ability to pivot becomes more challenging once you enter the workforce. As Nabeeha put it simply, “try it, and if you don't like it, leave it”. 

Nabeeha’s journey from her dream of becoming a psychiatrist to being an intern at Microsoft exemplifies flexibility, creativity, and confidence, which the DEM program promotes. Her journey is a reminder of the fact that curiosity, exploration, and trusting oneself are the key elements in reaching success.