Speed Networking in The City with Purpose

Insights and advice from alumni at Google, Meta, Microsoft and more

The third annual Speed Networking Event offered UC Davis students the opportunity to meet with industry experts from Meta, Microsoft and Google.

On a crisp November evening, we arrived at the Marine's Memorial Hotel in San Francisco into a bustling hub of professional networking. The annual Speed Networking Event is a signature event for both UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) and MBA students. With two distinct tracks for the MSBAs and MBAs, every student can meet alumni and professionals with valuable career experience and insights to share.

This isn’t just making casual connections—it’s networking with purpose.

Setting the Stage: A Confluence of Talent

As we arrived at Marine's Memorial Hotel, having done our research to best prepare, the grand ballroom buzzed with anticipation. The Graduate School of Management staff and MSBA graduate student assistants (GSAs) meticulously organized the event with a series of panels and speaker sessions catering to the interests of MSBAs and MBAs. This structure ensured that students could engage in discussions most relevant to their career aspirations.

Generative AI Insights with Microsoft Expert

The evening kicked off with the MSBA admissions and careers services team offering a warm welcome, and introducing Raj Singh Rikhy, a principal product manager at Microsoft.

He discussed generative AI agents as a gateway to the next wave of innovation and emphasized responsible AI at an enterprise level. Rikhy also answered audience questions on applying his insights to MSBA practicum projects and future careers.

Alumni Panels: Real-World Wisdom

A highlight of the event was the alumni panel featuring UC Davis graduates from the likes of Google, Meta, Apple, Salesforce, and other Fortune 500 firms. They shared their personal and professional journeys, and their candid stories provided us with invaluable insights into various industries and roles.

For example, Pranjal Srivastava MSBA 22, senior data analyst at Chime, emphasized the importance of building our personal brand from the get-go, whether it's going the extra mile at work or establishing rapport with your team to establish trust. This underscored the event's core message of preparing for career success beyond the degree program.

Speed Networking Sessions: Building Bridges

We then transitioned into the heart of the evening: the speed networking sessions. Over the course of 11 rounds of eight minutes each, we rotated through tables where alumni and industry professionals answered our questions and offered wise advice.

The structured format ensured that everyone had the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of professionals, making the most of the evening.

Key Takeaways: Lessons in Professional Growth

Throughout the event, several recurring themes emerged:

Age of AI: Alumni emphasized the importance of being in a constant state of learning, especially given the rapid development of AI integration across industries. A key aspect of it is responsible AI. Microsoft’s Rikhy addressed the importance of this to ensure the secure deployment of products and/or services.
Continuous Learning: Staying updated with industry trends and acquiring new skills, especially in areas like SQL, Python, and statistics fundamentals, are crucial for career advancement.
Networking as a Career Catalyst: Many professionals shared personal anecdotes illustrating how networking opened doors to opportunities that might not have been accessible.

Jyothica Monan speaking to a table of students during the Speed Networking Event — Jyothica Monan, a senior analyst at Pacific Gas and Electric Company, joined UC Davis students for speed networking, with each eight-minute session ending with a cowbell ring—paying homage to the university's agricultural roots.

Reflections: An Evening of Connections and Growth

As the evening drew to a close, the room buzzed with conversations and the exchange of contact information. The GSM Speed Networking Event once again succeeded in its mission: to provide a platform for us students to connect with industry leaders, gain insights, and take tangible steps toward their professional goals.

If you are considering the Graduate School of Management, events like these exemplify the School's commitment to bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application.

The emphasis on networking, continuous learning, and professional development ensures that graduates are well-equipped to navigate and succeed in their chosen careers.