Doing Good by Doing Business

UW Tacoma is about education, but it’s also about leaving a lasting impression, one that encourages graduates to get involved and give back. Recent alum Raihab Baig,‘20, lives this ethos.

Baig was born in Saudi Arabia and spent her early life there. Her parents are from Pakistan. “I consider myself to be Pakistani,” she said. Baig and her family moved to the United States when she was a small child and settled in Kent, Wash. She attended Kent Meridian High School and was in the Running Start program at Green River College. Baig’s father is an accountant and encouraged his daughter to pursue an accounting degree. “I took some classes and ended up being good at accounting, but I didn't want to make a profession out of it,” she said.

Best Fit

Baig submitted applications to colleges across Washington state, but, when it came down to making a choice, Baig realized that UW Tacoma was local and would best fit her needs. “I came onto campus and it seemed very homey.” she said, “I just loved that.”

As a student at UW Tacoma, Baig served as treasurer of the Student Sustainability Coalition and as a career prep consultant in what is now called the Student Transitions & Success Center. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a study option in management and a minor in corporate responsibility.

While still a student, Baig got to know part-time lecturer Emily Knudsen, ’19 MBA. “I’d been out of school about a year when I got an opportunity to work at Emily’s consulting firm,” said Baig. “I honestly believe I got this opportunity because of our class sizes and the way UW Tacoma is built. I wasn’t someone that was actively speaking every single day for professors to know who I was or recognize me, but she did. That was really cool.”

Following graduation, Baig chose to dive into business because of her passion for creativity and sustainability. “I was trying to decide between going into business or environmental science or environmental sustainability,” she said. “I had a tough time with that because I believe in doing business ethically.” After speaking with Kerry Barker in UW Tacoma’s Milgard Success Center, she decided to pursue corporate responsibility. “My wheels got to turning,” she said. “I can be a business owner and do good.”

Fulfilling Experience

After college, Baig took a job and then later started working as an event planning intern at Golden Bricks Events. Baig worked there during the pandemic and enjoyed working closely with the CEO, Chevon Powell, and received on-the-job experience working with a company that integrates sustainability and social justice within its business practices. “That was one of my most fulfilling experiences,” she said. “It confirmed that I still could do what I wanted to do. Where you could be in business and be doing good.” Baig also took a position as a community impact coordinator for Community Roots Housing where she worked with residents living in low-income housing.

As the youngest of three and a first-generation college student, Baig knows firsthand what it's like to need a little guidance when navigating your student life and career after graduation. UW Tacoma’s smaller class sizes, welcoming campus and supportive community and faculty really helped Baig become connected and engaged, ultimately leading her into the role that she currently holds now. “The way the campus is built, it makes it easier for people like me who’ve always been very shy and introverted to be able to connect with students and professors.”

In February 2023, Baig returned to the UW Tacoma campus and took a position working as an undergraduate recruiter and pre-admissions advisor for the Milgard School of Business. From speaking with students who are curious about their options transferring to Milgard to presenting to high school and community college students, Baig advocates and encourages students to consider UW Tacoma and Milgard as their options for higher education. “I absolutely loved my entire time here,” she said. “I rave about this school to literally every breathing soul.”

Like many recent graduates, Baig has been open to new opportunities and keeping herself available for the many ways that she can use her degree and make her mark on the world. She has plans to launch a start-up with a business model that treats employees and community ethically and in an authentic way.

“One of the biggest things I had to overcome is the stigma of failure,” she said. “I’ve shifted my narrative the past couple of years. Failure means you tried and you should be proud of that. A failure can be deemed as successful.”