From Neuroscience to Wall Street Finance: My MSBA Journey

I entered the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics program searching for direction—armed with technical skills, a background in computational neuroscience, and a strong foundation in statistics and machine learning from my undergraduate minor.

While I was confident in my analytical abilities, I wasn’t yet sure how to translate them into high-impact work across industries. The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program offered the clarity and structure I needed to bridge that gap.

I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as a quant analytics associate at JPMorgan Chase right after graduation from the one-year program!

What led me here was more than just rigorous analytics training. Through hands-on industry experience, mentorship and a personal branding course that helped me define my professional identity, I discovered not only a clear path—but a confident voice to tell my story.

Why UC Davis MSBA: San Francisco and the Practicum Project

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I chose the program for two key reasons:

1. The San Francisco location, where data and machine learning permeate every industry, and the promise of real-world experience in the global hub for data analytics.
2. The practicum project, an opportunity to apply classroom learning to actual business challenges—particularly excited me, given my purely research-focused background.

Throughout the year, our practicum team collaborated with BroadVision Marketing, an inbound marketing agency, using data to identify trends in search engine optimization efforts.

From day one, the practicum project demanded working with diverse teammates, transforming ambiguity into actionable insights and delivering results with genuine business impact.

The combination of rigorous coursework and hands-on practicum provided a comprehensive dive into analytics while nurturing my passion for uncovering patterns and insights that will define my career trajectory.

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More Than Code: Building Your Personal Brand in Tech and Business

The MSBA program extends far beyond analytics training. I developed deeper understanding of machine learning theory and gained experience with various analytical tools, but the curriculum also emphasized well-rounded business acumen.

Classes covered stakeholder communication, business operations analysis and personal brand development.

Lecturer Vanessa Errecarte's (also a UC Davis MBA alumna) personal branding course emerged as a program highlight. During this intensive two-day experience, I learned to reflect on my background and experiences to create an authentic brand identity.

With this personal brand, I was able to see my potential to influence professionals around me with the knowledge I’ve already gained. The lessons learned there about how to appeal to audiences and get your message out to people who want to hear it will stick with me throughout my personal career.

Throughout the program, I gained a deeper understanding of the theory behind machine learning methods and experience using different analytical tools.

The MSBA is not just a degree in analytics. There were a variety of classes that ensured that students were well rounded in business sense as well, including how to communicate with stakeholders, how to analyze a business’ operations and how to market one’s own brand.

The UC Davis MSBA program's holistic approach ensured graduates possessed both technical expertise and essential business communication skills—a combination increasingly valuable in today's data-driven marketplace.

Building a Network That Lasts Beyond Graduation

Beyond coursework and datasets, the UC Davis MSBA community became a defining aspect of my experience. From weekend brunches to baseball games, game nights to graduation celebrations, my classmates formed an invaluable support network and source of balance.

The Graduate School of Management's culture fostered meaningful connections among students and faculty. Faculty accessibility proved particularly valuable throughout the program, with professors available for guidance both inside and outside classroom settings.

The supportive environment at UC Davis fosters authentic relationships while maintaining academic rigor—a balance that enhances both learning and personal growth.

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