Drive Time

Ashley Merrill (’15) launched her sleepwear business, Lunya, one month after starting business school in Anderson’s FEMBA Flex program — and a few weeks after finding out she was pregnant. She initially couldn’t picture how she’d manage all of it at once. “Confidence was one of the gifts of business school,” she says. “It wasn’t like I went to accounting class and that was the gift, it was feeling like I could wrap my head around business terminology, basic structures of business and leadership.” Now she is “reinventing sleepwear for the modern woman,” including some very recognizable figures.

Hosted by Dylan Stafford, assistant dean and director of admissions of UCLA Anderson's Fully Employed MBA program (FEMBA), the Drive Time podcast features interviews with FEMBA alumni, current students, faculty and administrators who discuss leadership, work-life balance, entrepreneurship, career development and more.

More episodes here anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/fully-employed-mba/culture/femba-drive-time-podcast

Located in San Diego and a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in rowing, Susan now works for a medical research company that is working on a coronavirus vaccine.

Hosted by Dylan Stafford, Assistant Dean of Admissions of the Fully-Employed MBA (FEMBA) program, the Drive Time Podcast features interviews with current students, faculty, and administrators from the UCLA Anderson as they discuss leadership, work-life balance, entrepreneurship, career development, and more.

More episodes here: https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/fully-employed-mba/admissions/assistant-deans-advice/drive-time-podcasts

Growing up in China, Sophie Gao dreamed of an American experience. Her father made sacrifices to pursue becoming a medical doctor, and Sophie followed his work-hard example to get herself to the U.S. for college and career. She completed her Anderson MBA while living and working in Arizona and, distance notwithstanding, served as a FEMBA Council member and tutor. She was an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion student representative and, in 2020, she co-founded the nonprofit Humans of Wuhan to educate people and diminish racism. Through on-campus recruiting, she landed a new job at Amazon she’ll start right after graduation. Her advice for incoming FEMBA students? “Be ready to have fun. Be ready to be open-minded.”

0:00​ – Intro

7:55​ – My American Dream

13:53​ – Network, Chris Thompson, Director of Admissions Operations, UCLA Anderson culture

18:51​ – My OG Flex (Hybrid) section (commute from AZ)

20:21​ – Anderson Halloween

21:53​ – Dodgers game and Global Access Program Company Launch

25:55​ – FEMBA takes over Las Vegas

41:42​ – Career: two new companies, Shutterfly and Amazon; Support from FEMBA Career Services (Pam, Susan, Jackee and the team)

51:32​ – Final thoughts for entering and graduating FEMBA classes

Hosted by Dylan Stafford, assistant dean and director of admissions of UCLA Anderson’s Fully Employed MBA program (FEMBA), the Drive Time podcast features interviews with FEMBA alumni, current students, faculty and administrators who discuss leadership, work-life balance, entrepreneurship, career development and more.

More episodes here anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/fully-employed-mba/culture/femba-drive-time-podcast

#Finance​ #MBA​ #CareerDevelopment

Recent graduate of the class of 2020 Rob Busalacchi, Investment Banking Associate at Barclays talks about his experience going through the Fully-Employed MBA (FEMBA) program as a former Marine.

00:00​ Intro

03:15​ Family Background

09:05​ Undergrad Experience at Marquette University

11:00​ Becoming a Marine/Military Experience

19:35​ Deciding on an MBA & Grad School

26:00​ Choosing Anderson

30:00​ Being “Rough around the Edges”

33:10​ Focusing on Finance

36:35​ Anderson Student Clubs Highlight

43:50​ Adjusting Study Habits

45:05​ Finance Academic Internship

50:40​ Barclays IB Internship

56:00​ IB Preparation & Mentorship

59:07​ Global Immersions & GAP Experience

01:04:05​ Balancing Everything

01:11:52​ Happy Hours Highlight

01:13:30​ Spring Quarter 2020 & Covid-19

01:18:00​ Ally Opportunities

01:25:15​ Picture Slides – Family, Military Experience, John Wooden, Anderson Experience

01:34:18​ John Wooden Award – applying and being chosen

01:36:00​ Final Thoughts

01:38:45​ John Wooden Awards Video

Hosted by Dylan Stafford, assistant dean and director of admissions of UCLA Anderson’s Fully Employed MBA program (FEMBA), the Drive Time podcast features interviews with FEMBA alumni, current students, faculty and administrators who discuss leadership, work-life balance, entrepreneurship, career development and more.

More episodes here anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/fully-employed-mba/culture/femba-drive-time-podcast

#Finance​ #MBA​ #CareerDevelopment

A decade after earning her Anderson MBA, double Bruin Kate Greenberg (B.A. ’04, ’10) has led a remarkable career. When she was an undergraduate, the communications job she does now for the Washington Nationals’ charitable arm didn’t exist. She’s gone from managing PR for high-profile companies like Disney to shaping the communication strategies of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, and she is now immersed in the #NATS4GOOD​ community response fund. Perks along the way have included seeing her name inscribed on a Nationals 2019 World Series championship ring and meeting President Barack Obama.

00:00​ Intro

09:14​ Choosing Anderson, FEMBA experience, & Disney!

20:28​ Moving Across the Country

29:39​ PR & Sports Marketing experience

39:49​ Beijing Global Immersion, ‘Stay at Home’ experience, transition to DC

47:45​ Joining the Washington Nationals, nonprofit work, and Covid-19

01:12:20​ Photos from Disney, the Nationals Championship, and – Obama?!

01:37:44​ THE CHAMPIONSHIP RING!

01:40:22​ Closing Remarks

Hosted by Dylan Stafford, assistant dean and director of admissions of UCLA Anderson's Fully Employed MBA program (FEMBA), the Drive Time podcast features interviews with FEMBA alumni, current students, faculty and administrators who discuss leadership, work-life balance, entrepreneurship, career development and more.

More episodes here: anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/fully-employed-mba/culture/femba-drive-time-podcast

#SportsMarketing​ #CareerDevelopment​ #MBA

Recent graduate of the class of 2020 Dominique Kagele, Global Product Strategy— Heme/Onc, Integrated Insights Leader talks about her experience going through the Fully-Employed MBA (FEMBA) program as a working mother.

00:00​ – Intro

05:35​ – Family and Growing Up in Reno, Nevada

08:15​ – Undergraduate Experience at University of Nevada-Reno

10:00​ – The Road to a Ph.D.

12:23​ – Post-Doc Experience

12:45​ – Choosing Between Academia & Industry

13:35​ – Working at Pharmaceutical company GSK Deciding to get an MBA for a better understanding of how a business works.

14:01​ – Choosing UCLA Anderson

17:22​ – The Career Enhancing Experience

18:43​ – Spring Quarter 2020 Experience as a Working Mom

27:45​ – Family Role Models and Advice for Her Children

34:27​ – Most Memorable FEMBA Experiences

35:37​ – Trade-Offs During FEMBA

37:12​ – Diversity of Experiences/Backgrounds in FEMBA

39:00​ – Impromptu Trips Around the Country with Classmates

44:05​ – Women Worth Watching Recipient

45:14​ – Global Access Program (GAP) Experience

52:17​ – Planning for an Academic Rainy Day

01:03:37​ – Measuring Return on Investment

01:08:05​ – Post-Anderson

01:11:19​ – Career Steps During FEMBA

01:26:14​ – Final Thoughts & Shout-Outs

Hosted by Dylan Stafford, assistant dean and director of admissions of UCLA Anderson’s Fully Employed MBA program (FEMBA), the Drive Time podcast features interviews with FEMBA alumni, current students, faculty and administrators who discuss leadership, work-life balance, entrepreneurship, career development and more.

More episodes here anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/fully-employed-mba/culture/femba-drive-time-podcast

#Healthcare​ #MBA​ #CareerDevelopment

Brittany Blackamore (FEMBA '16) discusses her successful career transition to Boston Consulting Group and her nonprofit organization, Suitcase of Joy.

0:00​ – Intro

2:50​ – Founding a non-profit, Suitcase of Joy (inspired by going on 7 Global Immersions!)

7:00​ – Two themes she lives her life by – “I don’t have to know how to do something before I can begin how to do it” and “do something now”

8:25​ – Goal-oriented – determine what I want to do and then work backward and break it into manageable steps and create a framework

10:20​ – Changing the world is a big task and too big for one person – realized she could do something now

11:35​ – What goes in a suitcase and donations begin

13:20​ – Started small with self-funded trips and two suitcases with the ultimate goal of building schools

14:41​ – Mission is to bring joy and education to children around the world

16:53​ – Education can break the cycle of poverty (even in one generation)

17:40​ – First trips in Zimbabwe, Kenya, and South Africa

19:03​ – Inspired by experience in Argentina, Brazil and South Africa Global Immersions

19:30​ – First generation college graduate (parents were first generation high school graduates)

22:15​ – The problem is much bigger than all the people trying to help it (wanted to do what she could to help)

22:40​ – Traveling alone and maintaining personal safety

25:00​ – Showcasing Suitcase of Joy (pictures)

30:20​ – FEMBA experience – career explorer (from leadership development program at Experian to private equity/M&A at Boston Consulting Group)

34:12​ – Goal is to start an investment fund for private equity/venture capital that invests in entrepreneurs/businesses in emerging economies

37:00​ – From an undergrad French major to FEMBA

40:00​ – Building on strengths and areas for development: Venn diagram of things that I like, that I’m good at, and where I can make a difference

42:00​ – Becoming a professional Googler

43:36​ – Get the biggest MBA outcome

45:53​ – MBA as the launching pad and foundation – don’t be afraid to explore

47:20​ – Strategy isn’t just figuring out what you’re going to do, but also what you’re not going to do

50:25​ – ROI on MBA and investment in self – financial, opportunities an Anderson MBA provides, gained confidence

56:40​ – Dramatic shift in thinking at Anderson: from imposter syndrome to telling herself things that she wanted to be true that weren’t yet (words of affirmation)

59:33​ – Be bold and let go of pre-MBA mindset: taking the limits off what she thought she could do

1:04:30​ – Humbition (be humble but ambitious)

1:05:33​ – Productivity hacks: write down what she needs to accomplish, then determine priorities

1:09:41​ – Wrap-up and thank yous

1:12:30​ – Life is a journey and you continue to learn

Brittany's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-...​ https://www.suitcaseofjoy.org/​

Hosted by Dylan Stafford, assistant dean and director of admissions of UCLA Anderson’s Fully Employed MBA program (FEMBA), the Drive Time podcast features interviews with FEMBA alumni, current students, faculty and administrators who discuss leadership, work-life balance, entrepreneurship, career development and more.

More episodes here anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/fully-employed-mba/culture/femba-drive-time-podcast

#BostonConsultingGroup​ #MBA​ #CareerDevelopment​ #nonprofit

Recent graduate of the class of 2020 Tarang Lal, M&A Advisory— PwC, talks about his experience going through the Fully-Employed MBA (FEMBA)program and how he made the career transition from Petroleum engineering to an M&A Consultant at PwC.

00:00​ Intro

03:50​ Personal Background

07:50​ Typical Day at PwC

09:30​ Career Enhancer v. Career Switcher

11:20​ On-Campus Recruiting & PwC Internship

18:10​ Why Consulting?

20:16​ Transition to Los Angeles

23:08​ FEMBA Program Experience

30:10​ “Journey of Impact” & Self Reflection

36:47​ Takeaways from the Pandemic Spring Quarter 2020

39:35​ South Africa Global Immersion

43:38​ Working with Dean Freixes & France Global Immersion

46:03​ Global Access Program

50:58​ Serving as a Board Member – Reflection & Advice

56:28​ Balancing FEMBA and Personal Life

01:01:15​ The ROI of FEMBA

01:07:45​ Double Bruin Pride

01:10:06​ John Wooden & FEMBA Slide Show!

01:17:24​ Productivity Hack

01:19:29​ Closing Remarks

Recent graduate of the class of 2020 Tina Pham, Category Manager at Amazon Go Grocery talks about her experience going through the Fully-Employed MBA (FEMBA) program as a career enhancer in the retail industry before becoming a career switcher and getting a new job at Amazon.

0:00​ – Intro

2:35​ – Family & Early Years – Born and Raised in Seattle

4:19​ – Undergrad Life at the University of Washington Going from Pre-Med to Art

5:55​ – Early Career in Graphic Design

6:20​ – First Master’s in Fashion Management Studying Luxury Brands in Milan at University of Whales

8:25​ – First Job Post-Masters in Buying

9:25​ – Career at Nordstrom – Planning, Merchandising, Product Development

11:15​ – Post-Admission/Pre-MBA Promotion at Nordstrom

17:00​ – FEMBA Admission Excitement – Career Enhancer

19:15​ – Year 1 Memories Imposter Syndrome, Traveling from Seattle, and Learning Team Support

25:54​ – Transition to Year 2 Summer Break and Social Events

27:11​ – Study Habits in Hybrid Program

29:25​ – Navigating FEMBA with a Husband

31:50​ – Focusing on End Goal and Selecting Electives

33:30​ – Global Management Focus and Global Exchange Program (Japan)

39:20​ – Serving as a FEMBAssador and Coffee Chats in Seattle

41:35​ – Global Access Program (GAP) and Working With a Swedish Company

52:10​ – FEMBA Experience Photos GAP Launch and Travel, Interviewing Prospective Students, Halloween Party

55:48​ – From a Career Enhancer to a Career Switcher and New Role at Amazon Grocery

1:06:13​ – Doubts, Encouragement, and Building Confidence

1:13:00​ – Highs/Lows from COVID/Virtual Spring Quarter

1:16:30​ – Productivity Hacks and What I Wish I’d Known Before Starting FEMBA

1:20:00​ – Vulnerability, Communication, and Listening to Understand

1:24:19​ – Final Thoughts

Hosted by Dylan Stafford, assistant dean and director of admissions of UCLA Anderson’s Fully Employed MBA program (FEMBA), the Drive Time podcast features interviews with FEMBA alumni, current students, faculty and administrators who discuss leadership, work-life balance, entrepreneurship, career development and more.

More episodes here anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/fully-employed-mba/culture/femba-drive-time-podcast

#Amazon​ #MBA​ #CareerDevelopment