I Had MBA Envy for Years. Then I Just Did It.
A graduate in a cap and gown with a purple flower lei stands on grass under a tree; other people are gathered in the background at an outdoor event.
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I Had MBA Envy for Years. Then I Just Did It.

What working full-time while earning an MBA actually looks like

Online MBA alumna Katja Gagen had MBA envy for years. Now Head of Corporate Communications at Bloom Energy, she says the payoff wasn't the credential. It was the person she became.

From Classmates to Co-Founders: How We Turned Group Projects into a Startup
Three graduates in navy blue caps and gowns hold diplomas and smile outdoors; another person walks in the background.
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From Classmates to Co-Founders: How We Turned Group Projects into a Startup

From analytics homework to entrepreneurship, recent MSBA graduates Jeremy Twumasi Ampofo, Kyle Ayisi and Jovoney Morton transformed UC Davis group projects into Habituals, an AI-powered app making self-improvement human, data-driven and sustainable.

How I Got a Deloitte Offer Without an Accounting Background
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How I Got a Deloitte Offer Without an Accounting Background

What UC Davis MPAc taught me about standing out

He almost skipped the Deloitte table. Chris Ngan MPAc 26 walked into Meet the Firms convinced his background disqualified him—until one conversation reframed everything and changed his career trajectory.

From Football to Finance: My Leadership on the Field Became an Asset
A man in business attire and a graduation stole stands holding a UC Davis football helmet in the lobby of the UC Davis Graduate School of Management.
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From Football to Finance: My Leadership on the Field Became an Asset

Master of Management helped build a career beyond the game

Master of Management alumnus Thomas Mirabella lacked corporate experience but had five years collegiate experience leading offensive lines. He shares how his leadership on the field and in the classroom scored a job offer in banking.  

 

I Wrote “Get Hired” on My Career Vision Board—Then Made It Happen
Prachi Misha in NVIDIA offices
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I Wrote “Get Hired” on My Career Vision Board—Then Made It Happen

How focus, upskilling and UC Davis alumni connections guided my AI career path

This wasn’t manifestation. It was intention. Bay Area Part-Time MBA alumna Prachi Mishra shares how clarity, consistency and preparation shaped an AI-focused job search and led to a new role.

My Nontraditional Path to an MBA
Yamin Elshaer and Dillon Hill standing side-by-side in wedding attire
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My Nontraditional Path to an MBA

“I pursued an MBA to understand business—and my own blind spots.”

From dropping out of college to launching a viral nonprofit and building Cosmoforge, a thriving marketing agency, this entrepreneur found purpose—and powerful partnerships—through the UC Davis Full-Time MBA.

Alumni Video Spotlight: Sonic Prabhudesai MSBA 18
Sonic Prabhudesai and Dean H. Rao Unnava
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Alumni Video Spotlight: Sonic Prabhudesai MSBA 18

Charles Schwab. Meta. And now, co-founder of somi.

Sonic Prabhudesai MSBA 18 shares his journey from working on analytics for $1.5T in assets under management at Charles Schwab to driving global growth at Facebook. He recently co-founded somi, a startup redefining how consumers use their data. View video.

From Classroom to Cloud: Launching My Strategy and Operations Career in Tech
Linda Trinh standing outside, in front of a sign that says, "In Trust We AI"
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From Classroom to Cloud: Launching My Strategy and Operations Career in Tech

Stepping into Salesforce’s Global COO Excellence Academy

From career pivots to C-suite impact, alumna Linda Trinh shares how her Full-Time MBA propelled her into strategy and operations at Salesforce—and onto the prestigious COO Excellence Academy stage.

From Farming Roots to Big Four in The City: UC Davis MPAc Opens Doors
Eduardo Casarubias wearing a graduation robe
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From Farming Roots to Big Four in The City: UC Davis MPAc Opens Doors

First-gen alum builds career at EY in San Francisco

From first-gen student to senior associate at EY, Eduardo credits the UC Davis MPAc program for sharpening his skills, expanding his network and opening doors to Big Four success.

Alumni Video Spotlight: Caleb Cavazos MBA 15
Caleb Cavazos and two other alumni at the 2025 reunion
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Alumni Video Spotlight: Caleb Cavazos MBA 15

Digital Marketing Manager at Foley Family Wines & Spirits

Full-Time MBA alum Caleb Cavazos MBA 15 and digital marketing manager at Foley Family Wines & Spirits, shares how rubbing elbows with Napa’s leaders taught him that collaboration drives the industry’s future.

Alumni Video Spotlight: Howard Lo MBA 00
Howard Lo
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Alumni Video Spotlight: Howard Lo MBA 00

Vice President of Sales and Marketing at DataON

At the GSM Alumni Reunion, Howard Lo MBA 00, vice president of sales and marketing at DataON, shares how 25 years of networking, leadership and community building have shaped his professional journey.

How My UC Davis MBA Prepared Me to Compete on "Survivor"
Kevin Leung in front of a banner that reads Survivor
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How My UC Davis MBA Prepared Me to Compete on "Survivor"

Business school strategy and leadership skills helped me survive reality TV

What’s it like competing on reality TV? Bay Area Part-Time MBA alum Kevin Leung put his UC Davis experience into play by creating strategic alliances, building trust and staying focused as a contestant on "Survivor" Season 48 in Fiji.

5 Ways UC Davis Set Me Up for Success at Big Four Firm PwC
Diana Tran wearing a graduation stole
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5 Ways UC Davis Set Me Up for Success at Big Four Firm PwC

MPAc alumna shares advice for prospective students

MPAc alumna Diana Tran shares five ways the UC Davis MPAc program prepared her for success as an audit associate at PwC, from communication and teamwork to finding real balance.

Meet Our 2025 Commencement Student Speakers
commencement speakers
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Meet Our 2025 Commencement Student Speakers

Graduates reflect on growth, challenge and what comes next

Three graduates from the UC Davis Graduate School of Management will take the stage this Commencement Day to share their inspirations, experiences, and journeys with their fellow graduates, families, and friends.

Stephanie Zarate Named Alumni Association's 2025 Rising Star
Stephanie Zarate, UC Davis MBA alumna
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Stephanie Zarate Named Alumni Association's 2025 Rising Star

Sacramento-based media finance executive rises through the ranks

MBA alumna Stephanie Zarate, chief accounting officer and treasurer for McClatchy Media, is the recipient of the Graduate School of Management's Alumni Association 2025 Rising Star Award, recognizing her rapid rise as a financial executive at the 168-year-old media conglomerate. 

My MBA Journey Empowering Rural Healthcare Access
Kristy Bird MaKieve MBA 15
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My MBA Journey Empowering Rural Healthcare Access

Recognized with GSM Alumni Association's Outstanding Service Award

The GSM Alumni Association's Outstanding Service Awardee Kristy Bird MaKieve blogs about putting her MBA skills to work revolutionizing rural healthcare access and education in Northern California.

From Mongolia to Wall Street: My First-Gen MBA Journey
Sodo Nerguidavaa MBA 22 at BNY on Wall Street
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From Mongolia to Wall Street: My First-Gen MBA Journey

Full-Time MBA alum Sodontuya Nerguidavaa’s journey as an international student from Mongolia to Wall Street seemed improbable—until the UC Davis community of fellow students, faculty, mentors and alumni helped her achieve her goals and land as a vice president at BNY in New York.

Changemaker Shaping Pathways for Asian American and Pacific Islanders
Maikhou Thao
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Changemaker Shaping Pathways for Asian American and Pacific Islanders

MBA empowers me to honor my Hmong heritage and create social impact

As the daughter of Hmong refugees who fled the Vietnam War to the U.S., Maikhou Thao embraces the opportunity to strengthen her cultural leadership and representation. At UC Davis, she is building the skills and network to drive meaningful change and empower future leaders.

The Power of Paying It Forward with Mentorship
Shaneil McKenzie-Guyher at a podium, reading off a laptop
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The Power of Paying It Forward with Mentorship

Plus, my three tips to help you succeed in corporate accounting

First-gen college student and MPAc alumna Shaneil McKenzie-Guyher shares how UC Davis' culture and curriculum helped her transition to the corporate world, empowering her to give back by mentoring young professionals.