Ruby Young

University of California Riverside School of Business, A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management (AGSM)

“I’m an open-minded person and love to interact with others.”

Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am sensitive to smell, so I need to have candles in my room to retain fragrance.

Undergraduate School and Major: National Taipei University, Social Work

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Korchina Logistics Group, Taiwan branch, Financial Accounting Assistant

What word best describes the UC Riverside MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far? Proactive, especially the Taiwan Graduate Student Association (TGSA); they are dependable and help incoming students prepare before arriving on campus, and part of that is establishing relationships with the new students before they get here. I plan to join TGSA so that I may also use my experience to help first-year students.

Aside from classmates, what was the key part of UC Riverside’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The MBA program provides a variety of courses to choose from. As I am new to studying business, I am confident about the strong foundation I’m establishing during my first year, and I’ll discover what I am most interested in as I choose a concentration during my second year.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at UC Riverside? I really enjoyed the sunset hike at Mt. Rubidoux hosted by the Student Association during Welcome Week. This is the first activity that I took part in with AGSM students, and I met new friends and became more accustomed to my surroundings.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Although I did not study business during my undergraduate years, I landed a position as a financial accounting assistant at Korchina Logistics Group, Taiwan branch. On the job, I learned how to read and prepare financial statements. At first, I was very worried about learning these new skills, but I gradually adapted; I realized that if I am willing, I can do it well. This drove me to pursue further education in business management.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? Since coming to UCR, I have stepped out of my comfort zone to gain new knowledge and skills. I have made friends who are very good at accounting, and they help me with the questions I have. Stepping out of my comfort zone is not easy, but I have to be adventurous, and the aim is to always work toward improving myself. I choose to take these steps to become a better me.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? Business skills are relevant everywhere in life, and in every job I encounter, this education and experience will be useful. After graduation, I plan to pursue a job as a public relations consultant in the fashion industry, which I am drawn to because it’s an area of business that changes constantly and rapidly. Brand marketing and public relations, which are the areas I’m most interested in, play an indispensable role in this fast-paced industry.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into UC Riverside’s MBA program? For international students, UCR offers the STEM program, which is a valuable opportunity to gain work experience in the United States following graduation, and it’s important that applicants understand that program. And, during your admissions interview with UCR, just be confident and be yourself.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE UC RIVERSIDE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MBA CLASS OF 2023