Navigating Uncertainty: How Pursuing an MBA at UC Davis Brought Clarity and Community

They say your 20s are some of your life's most foundational and formative years—and, well, they’re right. Equally true, though, is that these years can feel pretty lonely and directionless.

Upon finishing my undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado in spring 2022, I found myself at a crossroads. My time in school had come to a close, my contract was ending at a job that I absolutely loved, and my family was preparing to move out of state.

I struggled to decide what to do, so naturally I took the first job offer I received, and before I knew it, I was packing up my car to begin the long, one-way trip from Colorado Springs to the San Francisco Bay Area.

That didn’t solve my problems, though. I was alone in a new state in a new job that didn’t quite work out the way I had hoped it would. But along the way, the one thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to continue my education. I’ve always loved learning, and I didn’t want that to stop just because I had finished my bachelor’s in marketing and business administration. I knew there was more beyond that.

I knew I wanted to get an MBA to further my education as I worked to figure out where to take my career. Having the opportunity to study in all different fields, from finance to organizational behavior, is exactly what I needed.

I weighed my options and submitted applications to a few programs in the Bay Area.

I couldn’t help but be drawn to UC Davis due to its sense of community, collaboration, and support system.

You're not in competition with your classmates. You work together, share successes, and root for each other, creating a true community.

Just a year into the Bay Area MBA program, I can already say I’ve made friendships and connections that will last long after I finish my degree. There’s a sense of true inclusivity and not just the stereotypical, stuffy business school environment, which was very important for me to find as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

An MBA Class Visit Sealed the Deal

I have felt seen and accepted by everyone on campus since day one. The thing that sealed the deal for me was a class visit. Having the chance to visit campus in person and see a true day in the life of an MBA student was an incredible opportunity that showed me firsthand just how unique this community is. I was so impressed by the students and faculty, and I knew from that day that UC Davis was where I wanted to further my education.

Since starting my MBA journey, I’ve been able to gain clarity on the uncertainties in my life. For the first time since finishing undergrad, I have a clear idea of where I want to go next with my career.

The career services team has been of immense value, helping me identify which opportunities are out there, polish up my resume, and practice interviews for when the next great opportunity comes.

My fellow students come from all sorts of professional backgrounds, from tech to finance to logistics to human resources, so I’ve been able to widen my professional network.

Thanks to incredible faculty and nearly endless opportunities to collaborate with fellow students, microeconomics and financial accounting classes have piqued my interest and helped me identify what I want to do next.

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Stepping into Leadership Roles

As I head into my second year of my MBA, I look forward with optimism and excitement. I’m the incoming president of the Bay Area MBA Ambassador Program, the same group responsible for hosting class visits and other admissions events.

I got involved in the ambassador program because of the impact a class visit had on my decision to attend UC Davis—I wanted to be a part of that too, and I’m honored that my peers elected me to be the next president. I look forward to continuing to engage prospective students and showing them why UC Davis is the best place to pursue an MBA.

I look back on my first year with immense gratitude. I’ve found more direction as to what I want to do next, not only with my career, but with my life in general.

I’m working in a job that I enjoy where I feel like I get to make an impact. I’ve learned so much throughout my course of studies thus far, and I’m only getting started.

In a time of uncertainty, pursuing my MBA at UC Davis was the best decision I could have made.