Networking in Silicon Valley: Exclusive Tours and Executive Insights

Recently, I had the privilege of attending an exclusive site visit to the headquarters of Zuora and Corcept Therapeutics, where I met up with fellow UC Davis Graduate School of Management students. This was a significant milestone for me as it was my first networking event, and my first visit to companies in the Bay Area. Organized by the OMBA Student Association, Myrna Couch, president, and I, director of events, took the lead in making this memorable experience happen.

Traveling from the Central Valley to Redwood City, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but my excitement grew as I drove towards Zuora’s headquarters, passing iconic companies like Oracle.

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Arriving at Zuora’s headquarters was a pivotal moment for me. It had the innovative aesthetic of a Silicon Valley tech company. Coming from a small town where offices typically are arranged as rows of cubicles, stepping into Zuora’s open, innovative workspace was an inviting shock.

The morning began with a breakfast provided by Zuora and Corcept. As an Online MBA student, it was a great opportunity to reconnect with classmates I’ve worked with during my studies and to forge new connections with students from the other UC Davis MBA and MSBA programs. During breakfast, we spoke with a few employees from Zuora and Corcept, and learned about their roles, experiences and each company’s mission. The companies are headquartered in the same building in Redwood City.

Following the networking session, representatives from both companies presented about their work and the impact they’re making.

First, we heard from Corcept, which shared how departments like finance, marketing and supply chain contribute to the company’s mission of using cortisol modulation to redefine the treatment of serious diseases.

Zuora COO: Networking Pivotal to Career Opportunities

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Next, Daisy Hernandez, chief strategy and operations officer at Zuora, spoke about her career journey, detailing how a connection she made years ago led her to her current role. She emphasized the power of networking and strongly encouraged students to not only connect with their peers but also with employees from Zuora and Corcept. She highlighted how these connections could play a pivotal role in future career opportunities.

Zuora creates and provides software for businesses to launch and manage their subscription-based services. Just a week after our visit, Zoura announced an agreement to be acquired for $1.7 billion by Silver Lake, the global leader in technology investing, and become a private company. 

After the presentations, we had the chance to tour Zuora's headquarters, a space designed with employee well-being at its core. The multi-story building featured a range of thoughtfully planned spaces, from private rooms for focused work to open spaces for relaxation and socialization over coffee or drinks.

There was even a dedicated fitness area, complete with workout classes for employees. Coming from a city with few companies offering these kinds of amenities, it was eye-opening to see such a progressive approach to employee engagement.

At lunch after the tours, I talked with two gentlemen who had worked together long before joining Zuora. They shared insights into their experiences, the challenges they’ve faced, and their thoughts on where the company is heading as more businesses transition to subscription-based models.

The conversation was both informative and thought-provoking, helping me gain a deeper understanding of the business while also hearing valuable perspectives from my peers.

Fostering Connections To Shape My Professional Future

I decided to pursue a UC Davis MBA early in my career, knowing that the program would offer invaluable opportunities for both personal and professional growth. To me, the true value of the program is to bring together diverse perspectives and foster connections that extend well beyond the classroom.

The opportunity to visit Zuora and Corcept, network with peers, and engage with industry leaders has helped shape my professional future and expanded my horizons in ways I had not anticipated.

In addition to the challenging curriculum, the MBA experience has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, share ideas and better prepare for future endeavors.

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