Full-Time Career. Full-Time Mom. MBA in Progress.

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When I started the UC Davis Bay Area Part-Time MBA program in September 2024, I had what I like to call my “two under two.”

My daughter was eight months old, and we had a one-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog puppy at home.

Between a growing family, a full-time job and graduate school, I wondered what balance would look like.

During the day, I work as a lifecycle marketing manager at Hero Bread in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Balancing a marketing career, parenting and an MBA felt intimidating at first. Looking back now, I can confidently say it is possible.

Finding My Groove

The first quarter was the hardest.

Starting an MBA while adjusting to life with a young baby felt overwhelming, especially with evening classes and every-other-Saturday sessions. Like many working professionals considering a part-time MBA, I wondered how the workload would fit into the rest of my life.

But after that first quarter, I found my rhythm.

One decision that helped was starting with a lighter course load during my first year. That gave me space to adjust to the pace of the program while balancing work and family life. Over time, I increased my schedule, and this quarter I’m taking my largest load yet at 14 units while staying on track to finish early.

What felt overwhelming at first slowly became manageable once I learned how to organize my time.

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Flexibility That Makes It Possible

One of the biggest advantages of the UC Davis Part-Time MBA program is flexibility.

Courses are offered in several formats, including residential sessions that take place over a few days and hybrid classes that combine in-person and online participation. That flexibility allows working professionals to continue advancing in their careers while earning their degree.

For me, that flexibility made a big difference. It allowed me to stay committed to my job while still being present at home.

Even with different schedules and formats, the cohort model keeps us connected. The sense of community has been one of the most valuable parts of the experience.

Lesson 1: Build a Support System

The biggest factor in making this journey possible has been having a strong support system.

My husband, Gary, has been my biggest supporter. On nights when I have class and on Saturdays when I’m on campus, he steps in and takes the lead at home. His encouragement has made a huge difference.

Family and friends also help in ways that matter more than you might expect. Sometimes that support looks like checking in during busy weeks or helping with small things when the schedule gets tight.

An MBA may be an individual degree, but it is rarely an individual effort.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present, organized and flexible.

Lesson 2: You Are More Capable Than You Think

Before starting the program, I questioned whether I could balance work, school and parenting.

Many prospective students feel the same way.

At one point, I realized something important: there is never a perfect time to start. Something will always come up.

Once I accepted that, I decided to move forward and trust that I would figure things out along the way. Each quarter built confidence and made the next step feel achievable.

If there is one message I would share with prospective students who are unsure about timing, it’s this: you are more capable than you think.

Lesson 3: Lean on Your Peers

Another surprise has been how supportive the cohort is.

The UC Davis MBA environment is collaborative rather than competitive, and classmates genuinely help one another succeed.

It had been a long time since I last studied some subjects, like statistics and finance. I leaned on classmates who had stronger quantitative backgrounds, and in return, I helped where I could.

There were even moments when my daughter made surprise appearances during Zoom classes. Instead of feeling out of place, I felt supported by both classmates and professors.

One thing that surprised me most was how supportive the cohort is. Everyone genuinely wants each other to succeed.

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Sharing the Experience With Other Parents

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak on a UC Davis student-parent panel for prospective students considering the Part-Time MBA.

Many of the questions sounded familiar because they were the same ones I had asked before enrolling: 

• Is there ever a right time?
• How will this affect my job?
• Can I really do this while raising a young child?

Sharing my experience reminded me how many professionals are asking the same questions I once asked myself.

Growing Beyond the Classroom

One thing I did not expect was how involved I would become in the UC Davis Graduate School of Management community.

I joined the UC Davis Bay Area Associated Students of Management Board as director of marketing and communications. It has been a great opportunity to collaborate with classmates and help shape the student experience for our cohort.

It Is Possible

Balancing a career, family life and graduate school takes commitment and planning, but it is absolutely achievable.

I started this journey with a baby and a puppy at home. Today I’m working full-time, raising a toddler, serving on the Bay Area Associated Students of Management Board and finishing my MBA ahead of schedule.

The journey has not always been easy, but it has shown me how much more we are capable of than we think.

If I can do it, you can too.

Sometimes the biggest barrier is simply believing that it is possible. Once you take that first step, you may be surprised by how far you can go.