Social Media Pros Pursuing Business Degrees: How a Master of Management Transformed My Career

Advancing my skills in content creation to corporate strategy

Blog
April 09, 2025
Kristina Kaminski MM 25

Kristina Kaminski is a Double Aggie, and graduated from UC Davis in 2024 with a B.A. in sociology–organizational studies and a minor in technology management before enrolling in the Master of Management program.

Choosing the right graduate program is a pivotal decision, especially when transitioning between fields. My path to the UC Davis Master of Management program wasn’t linear—it took shape after I explored business coursework and gained hands-on experience in marketing.

These experiences pushed me to pursue management and deepen my understanding of the business world. UC Davis has enriched my academic and professional journey in ways I never imagined, equipping me with the skills to take my career to the next level.

My Journey to the UC Davis Master of Management Program

After minoring in technology management as an Aggie undergrad, I wanted to pivot from social science to gain a STEM and business perspective, which inspired me to explore education and career paths in a business environment.

My real-world experiences on the social media team at the UC Davis Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) reinforced this direction. I developed valuable marketing skills that I was eager to enhance further.

The Master of Management program is a perfect complement to my sociology–organizational studies major and the degree positions me to better understand organizations from perspectives of finance and accounting, management, and strategic planning, while also building my leadership and interpersonal skills.

When looking for a graduate program, I needed something to build on this academic foundation while providing practical skills for my career aspirations. The Master of Management program stood out because of its comprehensive approach to business education.

I was excited to learn from the thought-leading faculty in a community that had already deeply shaped my academic journey.

Leveraging My Digital Marketing Experience in Business

Working in social media marketing solidified my interest in the field and allowed me to create graphics, content and promotional materials. This position gave me a practical outlet for creativity and ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in creative marketing.

I realized that understanding management principles would help me contribute more strategically to organizations, leading me to further my education in business.

My former job taught me to advocate for my ideas, apply feedback and collaborate with diverse thinkers. These soft skills have been invaluable in the UC Davis MM program, especially in group projects. My creative mindset has also helped me approach business concepts differently from the traditional quantitative perspective.

Additionally, the strategies I used in social media marketing directly align with concepts from classes like Marketing Management and Technology Competition and Strategy.

My Post-MM Future

My career goals are to work in creative marketing and progress through the ranks of a company to senior leadership positions as far as my talent will take me.

The MM program is helping me achieve these goals by broadening my understanding of organizational structures and functions, as well as allowing me to develop leadership skills that will be applicable to my future.

Additionally, the workshops offered by the GSM have connected me with faculty and marketing experts who have influenced how I develop my personal brand and provided valuable insights on branding strategies.

I hope to continue constructing messages through words, images and sounds to make a difference for people, companies and industries. By combining my creative marketing background with the management skills I'm developing in the MM program, I'll be better positioned to lead teams and influence organizational strategy.

For those considering the MM program, I’d emphasize the value of bringing your unique perspective. The diversity of thinkers in this program makes collaborative learning more enriching. Avoid comparisons and be confident in your experiences—imposter syndrome affects us all.

Coming from a creative background, I’ve learned to leverage my skills in business settings. Your unique background, whether in the humanities, social sciences or another field, provides a valuable lens through which to view business challenges. These perspectives create a dynamic learning environment that prepares us for the diverse business world ahead.