BusinessBecause spoke to David Cooper, who completed his program in California—a place that offers graduates a wide range of employment opportunities across a variety of industries. He tells us about why he chose to earn an MBA, his experiences in California, and shares some advice for others considering applying.
Earn an MBA at a school with good credentials
David enrolled into the MBA program at University of California, Riverside (UCR), a school that regularly ranks among the top 100 business programs for graduate and undergraduate degrees.
International students on STEM MBA programs can apply for a 36-months Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa to work in the United States in their field of study after graduation.
Being California-born meant this wasn’t necessary for David but he chose the UCR STEM MBA because it was the most versatile graduate degree he could get.
“I believed that the skill sets achieved from an MBA would serve me well in my life, as I see myself as someone who wants to manage and drive business operations, particularly as an entrepreneur.”
Before his MBA David was a business development analyst at a freight company in Compton, CA and had also worked in catering and in his family’s accounting practice.
Use the MBA to shape your professional aspirations
An MBA offers students an enhanced skills set in areas such as finance, strategy, marketing, operations, and leadership, as well as helping them develop decision-making skills. David says that while he never saw himself as someone who wanted to climb a corporate ladder, the program provided him with a bigger picture of how the world of business works.
“It also helped me develop the tools and skills necessary to do the things that I want to do—open small businesses, get involved in real estate and in international business activities.”
While at UCR, David attended a lot of networking events, which he says were, “pretty neat”, and gained contacts which he plans to leverage in the future. He also did an internship at Ernst & Young.
Students opting to earn an MBA at UCR also have access to the Student Success Center. Opened in 2022, it houses multipurpose student life spaces for student organizations and areas for academic tutoring, mentoring, and studying.
Make the most of the networking opportunities an MBA offers
David says that a key element of studying at UCR was the exposure it gave him—to different people, different ways of life, different ways of making money, different ways of thinking. “I have made global friends and connections,” he notes. He commuted 60 miles to the college three or four days a week and would often stay with a fellow student, a Brazilian, who he has since visited in Brazil.
“I have made lifelong friendships at UCR, people who are now some of my best friends, and we have extremely strong bonds. Some of us have plans of going into business together.” An MBA can serve as a bridge for those looking to pivot careers as skills learned can be applied to a wide range of sectors, from consulting to technology and finance.
Use your new knowledge to accelerate your career
As well as the chance to establish a network of global contacts—both professional and personal—David highlights the program’s support system and “brilliant professors, who shared a lot of knowledge that was really valuable outside of academia.” He also flags UCR’s “absolutely awesome” career development services. "The staff team was fantastic and was instrumental in my job search and development at UCR."
An MBA can give graduates access to higher paying roles particularly in the worlds of consulting, finance, and management—some companies require or favor candidates with the degree.
After his internship at Ernst & Young in Portland, David was offered a position as a business consultant and now works with the company in Los Angeles. “I was able to receive a lot of feedback and contextual information from the broader UCR community when I was considering taking on my current role,” he says.
Student Reviews
University of California, Riverside
