Student Perspectives

From Engineering to Product Management

Before My MBA, I moved from independent designer to integration lead to managing entire projects, but I was always interested seeing the bigger picture and how a product would affect the end user.

I wanted to be more outwardly focused, to define how the product is designed according to the market. I was still at the back end of things, not making the big calls.

From Semiconductors to Software

I decided an MBA would be a way of differentiating myself, opening some doors, and competing with those who had more product management (PM) experience.

I also wanted to move from the semiconductor industry to software, where I felt the opportunities would be greater. I researched business schools’ recruiting resources, career services, and professional support to see if they would make such a transition possible.

A Learning Community and Continuity

I liked that in the Evening & Weekend MBA Program we would be meeting every week, with the same curriculum, format, professors, and recruiting opportunities as the full-time MBA. There seemed to be the possibility for deeper relationships and more continuity.

While I was at Haas, I found the marketing analytics course especially helpful: it offered new insights on how to build a business case for analytics, how to think about data, and technical knowledge – from machine-learning algorithms to enterprise software.

Credibility Conferred

The business acumen I’ve learned, coupled with my solid engineering background, allows me to take the product from idea to launch in new and exciting ways. My MBA has greatly enhanced my professional trajectory, and the benefits will ultimately extend to my family and other aspects of my life.

When people learn about your Berkeley MBA, they treat you like an expert. You have to present yourself with confidence, because you already have so much credibility.

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