Beeta Shahnazari worked in the chemical and apparel manufacturing industries before deciding to pursue an MBA to pursue a career in Corporate Finance. Beeta ultimately selected the UC-Irvine Merage School of Business, where she recently finished up her first semester. During this interview, Beeta spoke about her journey to pursue an MBA, her experience so far, and her advice to prospective MBA students.
MBASchooled: What did you do before business school, and why did you choose to apply?
Prior to joining the Merage School of Business, I worked in operations for an apparel manufacturing company, then in marketing at a chemical manufacturing company. I chose to apply for my MBA to gain valuable critical thinking and leadership skills, as well as make a functional switch from marketing into corporate finance.
MBASchooled: When did you find out when you got admitted? How did you navigate your decision process if you were evaluating multiple schools?
I found out I was admitted about a week after my interview, way back in December 2019. I evaluated Merage’s overall value to me, looking into different aspects of the program including academics, extracurriculars and job reports, and ultimately decided to commit when I realized I would have the best experience and most opportunities available to me through Merage.
MBASchooled: What were the most important questions you asked in order to help make your admissions decision?
Some of the questions I considered were: Does this school feel like a good culture fit for me? Is the attention personalized for each student? What makes the curriculum and the staff stand out? Where is this school headed? Who are some of the big companies that hire Merage MBAs for internships or post-graduation jobs?
MBASchooled: What sources of information (ex: people, resources, websites, students) did you evaluate when making your admissions decision?
I utilized several sources of information. My primary research came from speaking to individuals at Merage, such as current students, staff and the admissions team, as well as alumni. I also researched the program rankings across different websites, as well as program-specific information such as coursework, career services, and employment statistics through Merage’s own website.
MBASchooled: After spending a semester at UC-Irvine, what’s something that you now know about UC-Irvine that you wish you knew when you applied?
Our program offers an outstanding concentration in Analytics in Digital Leadership. This is a perfect option for individuals seeking STEM-based careers, or who just have an interest in big data and business analytics. The application for this concentration is part of the admissions process – I wish I knew about this earlier!
MBASchooled: Who did you talk to that was most helpful in learning information to help you make a decision? What questions did you ask?
Probably the then-current students. They had so much valuable insight on the program, the culture, the curriculum, employer relations and internship opportunities, post-graduation job opportunities, and so much more.
MBASchooled: Oftentimes, the word “culture” gets thrown around when talking about MBA programs. Can you characterize the culture at UC-Irvine ? Can you share an example of an experience that you think personifies what this means?
The culture at Merage was one of the primary reasons I was initially drawn to the program and eventually chose to commit. We have a very close, tight-knit student body at Merage – not only within my own cohort but with the second-year students as well. My classmates are always willing to help each other out with coursework or job searches/interview prep, and we’re always in constant communication.
A good example would be the many Zoom study sessions my classmates and I have scheduled last minute to go over complicated materials or topics – even if one person completely understands the material, they’re always willing to get together and patiently help the rest of us work through it.
MBASchooled: Now that you’ve been at UC-Irvine for a semester, is there a specific moment or highlight where you felt confident that you made the right decision?
I felt that confirmation early on in the year, before classes had even begun! During the biggest diversity conference we attended in September, we had several Slack channels set up to communicate with each other about our experiences (virtually) visiting different company booths across different industries, with tips and advice for those who had not yet met with those companies.
All of our classmates were actively chatting about how to prepare for each company and what to expect; in that moment, my immense appreciation for my cohort and the camaraderie I witnessed made me realize I had chosen the right program.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have for admitted students on how they can make the best decision?
Be sure to carefully evaluate all of your options, consider the pros and cons of each, and choose what you think would be the best fit for you.
Chatting with people who are familiar with the program, such as current students and alumni, is always insightful. Some individuals may value certain aspects of an MBA program over others, and that’s okay! Careful evaluation of your wants and your expectations will lead you to the right choice.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have for admitted students on how they can prepare for their MBA experience?
Start connecting with current students, if possible! They will help you learn about the program so you get a head start on preparation in anticipation for your first semester. More often than not, they’ll be willing to share their personal experiences and give you the best program-specific advice.
If you’re considering a functional or industry switch like myself, start researching careers to see what sounds appealing to you. Even if you’re not a switcher, do some research to evaluate your internship and post-MBA options. Aside from that, sit back and prepare for an exciting two years ahead!