Finding My Voice at UC Davis: My First-Gen Journey from Communications to Business

As a UC Davis Master of Management (MM) student, I sometimes still catch myself wondering if this journey is real. After two years as a transfer undergraduate at UC Davis, transitioning into the MM program has been both surreal and inspiring. UC Davis continues to challenge, impress and encourage me in ways I never imagined.

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Communications + Technology = Business

My journey began as a communications major, working in retail management to support myself through school. Before transferring to UC Davis, I was an award-winning public speaker and speech critic with Modesto Junior College’s Speech and Debate Team. In addition to my communication skills, I wanted to learn more about processes and technology, not just people.

The turning point came when I discovered UC Davis's Technology Management minor. It was an unexpected detour for an art student, but something about the intersection of technology and business spoke to me. The tech management minor opened my eyes to how my communication skills could translate into the business world, particularly in technology-driven environments.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a First-Gen Student

Yet, the path wasn't without its challenges.

As a first-generation college student, every step felt like charting new territory. My family had always worked in traditional agricultural jobs, and here I was, dreaming of business school. The weight of setting a new precedent for my family was both motivating and daunting.

What made the difference was the distinctive family culture at UC Davis. When I expressed interest in graduate business studies to my technology management professors who also taught at the Graduate School of Management, they didn't dismiss me as a communications major. Instead, they helped me see how my background in communications would bring a valuable perspective to today's business landscape. This has been further refined with each faculty and staff member I work with.

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Taking on Leadership Opportunities at UC Davis

I want to create an impact in all that I do. Within my first month at the Graduate School of Management, I was elected as the director of communications with the Associated Students of Management and selected as the MM board representative with the GSM Alumni Association Board. These positions are special to me, especially since we are in the inaugural year of the MM program.

I immediately dived right into the offerings at the GSM. I have attended events from San Francisco to Sacramento, making key connections along the way. As the MM board representative, I was able to partner with Director of Alumni Relations and Network Strategy Christopher Marshall who later introduced me to UC Davis alums Joncarlo Mark MBA 00 and Jayce Smalley MBA 22, MPAc 23 from Upwelling Capital Group.

This connection was made from a conversation I had with Marshall about leveraging athletic experiences into professional success. In my MM cohort, 17 are student-athletes. It was clear that we needed a seminar tailored to the Aggie athletes led by Mark and Smalley, who played NCAA football at UCLA and UC Davis.

From LinkedIn tips to interview best practices, this seminar benefited student-athletes and students alike. It encouraged a confident and positive conversation surrounding our individual job searches, which the GSM Career Development team has contributed to significantly as well.

Diversity in Backgrounds Strengthens Business Education

Today, halfway through the graduate program, I've learned that diversity in academic background isn't a weakness—it's a strength. The Graduate School of Management brings together students from different disciplines, creating a rich learning environment that mirrors the real business world.

My Key Takeaways

To the arts and humanities students wondering if they belong in business or STEM-adjacent fields—you do. Your perspective is valuable, your experience matters and programs like UC Davis Master of Management are enriched by your presence.

The future of business needs communicators, storytellers and people who understand human behavior just as much as it needs technical experts.

As I continue breaking new ground for me and my family, I'm grateful for the UC Davis community that showed me that career paths don't have to be linear and that sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin with an unexpected minor and the courage to cross disciplinary boundaries.

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