Designing An MBA

In the twenty-fourth episode of Designing An MBA, Tomas Sadilek details a nine-year journey that led him to finally pulling the trigger on getting his MBA, and how to be a full adult, you need to let go and embrace the abyss and take a leap. He discusses how this translates to his passion for entrepreneurship, finding the meaning of life... in skiing, and building self-discipline. He also says hi to his grandma... in Czech!

In the twenty-third episode of Designing An MBA, it felt only appropriate to release an interview with uber-Rockets fan Wenhao Wang (sorry for your loss my friend!) He has great insights and depth of interest in explaining the challenges of being a student from China but also the thrill of trying new things as a California resident and, yes, flying to Houston over a weekend as well. I apologize to Wenhao for our mic issues, and have purchased new equipment for my upcoming episodes!

In the twenty-second episode of Designing An MBA, Prashanthi Mannuru weaves an inspiring and unique tale of transitioning from dentistry to an MBA and growing as a professional and as a person through her coursework and her classmates. She also happens to be the first person I've known who met her spouse through an arranged marriage, and it was wonderful to hear her story of love!

In the twenty-first episode of Designing An MBA, Jayoon Koo brings his unique soft-spoken and thoughtful style to our podcast, discussing the unique joys and challenges of being an international full-time student, studying in a second language, driving two hours both directions each day, and raising two-year-old twin boys. Needless to say, when asked about his hobbies, he basically looked at me like I was crazy! Also, we congratulate him on the big news that he just landed a summer internship!

In the twentieth episode of Designing An MBA, Jiaxuan Li talks about the incredible transition from MD to MBA, from Beijing to Davis, and from a clear path to one of possibility and potential. She recalls various ways in which she used business skills before she even knew what to call them, ranging from creating a painless birth practice at her hospital to starting her medical school's first hip hop dance team!

In the nineteenth episode of Designing An MBA, Nick Dao talks about the entrepreneurial venture that brought him to pursue deeper business knowledge, volunteering during the Camp Fire, what it's like being one of the youngest people in the class, and how Davis has changed since his childhood. He's looking for investors... and summer interns!

In the eighteenth episode of Designing An MBA, Andrew Light talks about everything from the way learning photography influences his business mind today, being married to someone working in Silicon Valley, what it's like being the only out LGBT person in his class, and why he, sometimes hesitantly, frequently shares his opinion in class. Almost twenty episodes in, and every story continues to be unique!

In the seventeenth episode of Designing An MBA, Shwetha Chandrashekar weaves a narrative of the major life change and personal growth that can be part of the MBA experience, and how to face down the unique challenges that confront international students and women-in-leadership. She also reveals her not-so-secret crush on McKinsey and presents a detailed analysis as to why she is half Phoebe, half Monica from Friends.

In the sixteenth episode of Designing An MBA, Eric "Chenmu" Sun hilariously tells us of his dislike of gangster pandas but also gets into some wonderful stuff about seeking to understand yourself and to grow yourself by your personal and professional choices. He details his fascinating experience working for Apple and reveals his favorite experience at the Graduate School of Management so far. Spoiler alert: it was our recent Lunar New Year Party.

In the fifteenth episode of Designing An MBA, we meet coast guard officer and new dad Adam Tanner, two unique perspectives from which he tells fascinating stories. I'll leave it to you to decide which one sounds more challenging! He not only talks about how family changes your perspective on the MBA, but how the MBA changes your perspective on family.

In the fourteenth episode of Designing An MBA, we continue our string of Indian students with my "little brother" Gautham Gali, who has a great laugh, an open heart, and may have grown more in his four months at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management then anyone else in my class. Did you know that in that period he has taken guitar, salsa, "popping" dance lessons, enrolled and competed in chess club, starting working out and playing racquetball, and participated in intramural sports like soccer, football, and volleyball, almost all of those experiences for the first time?

In the thirteenth episode of Designing An MBA, we check in with what will undoubtedly be my most personal and open interview subject, Avilash Pahi, who bravely shared major life transitions he recently went through just a few weeks ago. He is funny, stylish, a little foul-mouthed, a consummate salesman, and, most importantly extremely intelligent and empathetic. Enjoy.

In the twelfth episode of Designing An MBA, we open 2019 with perhaps the most ambitious and tireless student in UC Davis Graduate School of Management, Ishita Ghai, catching her at the perfect moment, just returning from her recent wedding in her home country of India! With a unique mix of deep social consciousness, self-awareness, and drive, she truly embodies the "beginner's mind" goal of these interviews and provides an intimate peek into the questions being tackled by an international MBA student.

In the eleventh episode of Designing An MBA, we close out 2018 with an interview with new father, Gazi Apa (though the interview was recorded before his healthy child was born!) The lone resident of Turkey in our program, he brings vividly to life the struggles and the rewards of traveling to America for an MBA, and details his incredible journey that spanned four years of trying to become a student a UC Davis. An affable guy with a sneaky sense of humor, I can't wait to talk to Gazi in a year from now as he grows more comfortable in his new home.

In the tenth episode of Designing An MBA, we interview JP Mulligan-Hawkins, a small town kid from Napa Valley returning home. He discusses that and a wide range of other topics, from the part-time internship he landed in his very first week at school, the UC Davis Graduate School of Management marathon three-week orientation, having a classmate for a roommate, preparing for interviews, and much much more.

In the ninth episode of Designing An MBA, we interview Maria LaBouyer, who takes on us an intimate journey through growing up with a sibling with a disability, the power of being an athlete, the learning that comes from a Fulbright Scholarship, and the unique challenges and opportunities of being recently married and continuing a part-time job while engaging in a full-time MBA program. She delivers her insights with a wonderful mix of humility and accomplishment!

In the eighth episode of Designing An MBA, we interview Sophie Linnett, who combines a curiosity and willingness to speak her mind to make a truly compelling interview. She speaks about her unique place as the only mother in the full-time program at UC Davis, and takes us on unique journeys into the lives of military wives and her career in standardized test prep. She asks big questions of herself and others, and I can't wait to see where she is a year from now.

In the seventh episode of Designing An MBA, we interview Andrew Dang in an unforeseen moment in our graduate school experience, amongst an air quality crisis in Northern California that has seen classes canceled for over a week. He speaks to that as well as his unique and singular focus on building a career in video game development, and the reasons for his particular engagement at the intersection of entrepreneurship and creativity. Andrew speaks softly and chooses his words carefully, making for a really different and powerful interview. Here are some links to content he suggests at the end of the interview for further exploration into his interests: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnYMOamNKLGVlJgRUbamveA http://jenovachen.info https://www.jenovachen.com/flowingames/cloud.htm

In the sixth episode of Designing An MBA, we interview Jonathan Lee, who gives voice to the vulnerability so many of us feel in this journey.  He speaks deeply about what it feels like to be a first-generation American, living between cultures, and does it with a voice just made for radio (and a great singer at that! Thanks, Jonathan, for really addressing what it means to come to a graduate program and embrace your beginner's mind.

In the fifth episode of Designing An MBA, we interview Jingjie Fang, our most verbose guest to date, and she does so in her second language! With her unique perspectives on American culture and education to her ten+ year journey in deciding to get an MBA, Jingjie has wonderful insights to share. She also has a great sense of humor - listen till the end for her hilarious story of learning how to answer the American phrase "how are you doing?"

In the third episode of Designing An MBA, we interview Jae Hwan Kim, our first guest who is not only an international student but is studying in the US with English as his second language. He shares the extra challenge of being an introvert, and the inspiration he has found in his mom and his boss at the company he will return to once he finishes earning his degree. We will interview Jae Hwan again at this time next year to see how it's going with the adjustment and he may even sing for us!

In the third episode of Designing An MBA, we interview Lesley Watson, and hear about her career and lifelong interest in food, the inspiration she drew from her father, and managing a full-time job and full-time MBA program. We will interview Lesley again at this time next year to see what she has learned and decided since. 

In the second episode of Designing An MBA, we interview Patrick Rosenberg, and hear about his unique martial arts background, interest in Korea, and his health-conscious work/life balance. We will interview Patrick again at this time next year to see what he has learned and decided since. 

In the first episode of Designing An MBA, we interview Yuan Cheng, the first up of the UC Davis Graduate School of Management Full Time MBA Class of 2020. We will interview Yuan again at this time next year to see what he has learned and decided since.