Starting My MBA Journey at UCLA Anderson
Reflections from my first quarter in UCLA Anderson’s Full-Time MBA program, from challenge-course teamwork to product development and tech strategy coursework.
I recently began a new chapter as part of the Full-Time MBA Program at UCLA Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles.
After six years of software development at ServiceNow, I decided to step outside my comfort zone to better understand how technology can be leveraged to solve consumer problems, meet business needs, and shape better products. I’m deeply grateful for the support of my family, mentors, colleagues, and friends who helped make this transition possible.
It has been just over a month, and a few experiences already stand out:
1. Challenge Course activities
Exercises that pushed me outside my limits and highlighted the importance of relying on each other’s strengths.
2. Leadership simulations and case studies
Sessions that demonstrated how power dynamics influence decisions and why inclusivity and diverse perspectives shape stronger group thinking.
3. Tech strategy discussions
Case studies on companies like Moderna and Apple in Professor Kramer’s class that helped me start developing frameworks to evaluate complex business problems.
4. Product development classes
Sessions with Professor Mark Thomas that deepened my thinking about product discovery and product-market fit.
5. MCA Case Competition
An early experience of fast-paced problem solving alongside classmates.
This is just the beginning, and I’m looking forward to learning from my classmates and professors over the next two years while continuing to explore how technology, product thinking, and AI intersect.
