Silicon Valley Roots, Bold New Goals with an MBA

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I began my graduate school journey with a road trip across the Midwest in 2024. While driving to a family get-together, my aunt and I talked about what I wanted to do next in my career. As we crossed four states together, she shared her biggest professional regret with me—she never went to graduate school.

I didn’t think grad school was for me though. I’m not the average grad student. I received my bachelor’s degree decades earlier, I’m a single mom, and I don’t have a high income, but my aunt encouraged me to look into it.

Today I’m in my third quarter as an Online MBA student at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management (GSM)—and I’m so glad I took her advice.

Adapting to a Changing Career Landscape

I began my career in magazine publishing in Silicon Valley in the 1990s. As the internet began transforming the publishing industry, I pivoted to digital marketing and internet consulting. It was a relatively stable career for a while, until outsourcing and software automation began replacing a lot of the work I was paid to do.

I’d spent much of my career teaching others how to use technology in their businesses. In my spare time, I enjoyed speaking to groups of young people about business careers. I also experimented with a podcast interviewing business professionals and entrepreneurs in the Sacramento region about their secrets to success.

Then I began thinking about how education might fit into my picture.

In 2023, I became an elementary teacher who works closely with at-risk students in reading and math at a Title I school. Teaching very young students is incredibly rewarding, but I had other plans.

I wanted to combine my business and technology experience with my interest in education. I found the best way to do that was to pursue my MBA.

Why UC Davis Felt Like the Right Fit

Once I made the decision to go to grad school, I knew right away that I wanted to apply to the UC Davis Graduate School of Management.

The University of California system is one of the most respected in the world, and I knew its reputation could help me get a job anywhere.

But a big reason I chose UC Davis over other universities was the support and encouragement I received throughout the application process. The onboarding staff were friendly and helpful with everything from making the best impression possible to finding ways to pay for school.

Designed for Students Like Me

The UC Davis Online MBA program is designed for people just like me. The instructors know that most students have families, jobs and outside pressures. They offer flexible office hours and they’re willing to work with unexpected challenges we encounter in our lives.

My instructors have encouraged us to share our strengths in class and to not feel insecure about our weaker traits. And every group project has taught me so much about collaboration and communication.

In the short time I’ve been in the MBA program, I’ve become more skilled at quickly analyzing a company’s financial statements, I’ve polished my presentation skills, I’m more confident about speaking up in groups, and I've applied business analytics to new types of problems.

I’ve also been able to use my sales experience to reach out to fellow students and instructors to ask them for insights and opportunities to work together.

Going to grad school with a job, kids and outside responsibilities isn’t easy, but it’s been worth it.

I’m able to plan my study time and workload because instructors let us know all deliverables and deadlines ahead of time. I wouldn’t be able to attend grad school without two important things the UC Davis GSM offers—the ongoing support and guidance of faculty and staff, and the portability of the Online MBA program.

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My experience at UC Davis has helped me create a much clearer picture of my future.

My two career goals after I earn my MBA are to teach business students abroad and to continue creating meaningful stories from business data.

My grad school journey has inspired my children as well. My daughter, a college sophomore, and my son, a high school junior, are thinking about how they’ll use higher education to advance their lives.

Committing to grad school may feel daunting, but UC Davis makes it manageable with its support and guidance. As I work toward my career goals, I'm reminded daily that this journey isn't just about me—it's about showing my children that we can always grow and change direction.

If you're considering this path, know that you're not just earning a degree, you're opening doors you didn't know were there.