From Deloitte to Health Tech: My MBA Journey to Meaningful Work

Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher, once said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Reflecting on my MBA journey, I can wholeheartedly say that this quote has never felt more real. I’ve never been someone who simply goes with the flow; I’ve always preferred to have a plan.

After completing my Chartered Accountancy in India and spending almost five years at Deloitte, I found myself at a crossroads. I realized I hadn’t charted a clear path forward.

How I Chose the Right MBA Program and Earned a Scholarship

Coming from a mergers and acquisitions background, pursuing an MBA felt like a natural progression. I wanted to understand the broader landscape of business. I wanted to learn not only how the numbers added up, but also why companies made certain decisions and how those decisions tied into the overall strategy.

I was admitted to multiple universities, but UC Davis was the one that stood out due to the close-knit community and the warmth people showed me during the application and interview process. Of course, earning a scholarship was the cherry on top.

To earn the scholarship, I focused on presenting a well-rounded application that emphasized my professional experience and strong letters of recommendation, not just test scores.                 

Everyone says that an MBA will be life-changing, but during my first year, I quickly realized that transformation isn’t something that just happens to you; it’s something you must actively embrace.

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UC Davis Leadership Opportunities

For me, it was a path of growth and constant reinvention. It was a journey I shaped with my choices and the challenges I took on. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone time and again.

This included stepping into leadership roles, such as serving as a student ambassador and vice president of Women in Leadership club, where I had the opportunity to share my experience with prospective students and organize events like Business Boutique to help students dress for success at a career fair.

I also balanced a financial analyst internship at Keysight Technologies and a job search while excelling in my academic work, which ultimately led to my induction into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

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Landing a Job Offer Before Graduation

There were times when I felt exhausted, but the collaborative nature of this program made it easier. My peers weren’t competitors—we were a team, supporting one another through each challenge. Together, we celebrated successes and learned from our mistakes, becoming better versions of ourselves in the process.

In addition to gaining technical skills and experiencing plenty of “a-ha!” moments with problem-solving frameworks, financial data analysis, and marketing strategies, my MBA journey at UC Davis taught me invaluable life lessons.

One of the most important lessons I learned was the power of networking.

I secured my internship before summer break and accepted a full-time offer before graduation as a finance manager at Nusano, Inc., a radioisotope company helping precision-targeted cancer treatments.

The key to that success was showing up. I learned that networking isn’t just about exchanging business cards or connecting on LinkedIn; it’s about engaging, not being transactional, and putting yourself out there even when it feels uncomfortable.

In fact, one single connection ended up setting the stage for my future career.

One serendipitous moment that exemplifies this was a “CFO Fireside Chat - Insights from Top Finance Leaders,” an event hosted by the GSM Career Development team, which unexpectedly led me to meet Chris Lowe, CEO of Nusano Inc., my future employer.  

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I met with Lowe, and that connection proved pivotal—he introduced me to the CFO, which led to an interview invitation and, ultimately, the offer.

At Nusano, I will be focusing on investor relations, financial planning and analysis, and contributing to the company’s inspiring mission of “supplying the fight against cancer.”

Looking back at my MBA journey, I realize that every challenge, every connection, and every moment of growth was a single step on my thousand-mile journey. I know the road ahead will have its challenges, but with the lessons I’ve learned at UC Davis and my previous corporate experience, I feel prepared to embrace the future with confidence.

If you're exploring how to strengthen your own application, I encourage you to schedule a consultation with the UC Davis admissions team—they're incredibly supportive and can help you chart your path forward.