Stephanie Moya

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

“I am an individual who is resilient, driven, considerate, motivated, and open-minded.”

Hometown: Corona, California

Fun Fact About Yourself: I enjoy spending time with my loved ones whenever I have some time off.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of California, Riverside, Political Science

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Self-Employed Tutor

What word best describes the UC Riverside MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far? Ambitious. They are ambitious individuals who seek success. When surrounded by like-minded people, it allows me to stay on the right track to success. UCR MBA students take the same or similar courses, so it is very easy to make long-term friends who support you through the journey. When I have struggled with a topic, my peers have helped me through. The alumni also care about everyone’s success, and it is fulfilling to know I have a support system academically, mentally, and professionally.

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? As an undergraduate student, I found a home and a sense of belonging in a safe and welcoming environment. Therefore, I decided to continue my academic journey within UCR’s MBA program because the university cares about student success. As a first-generation student and Mexican American woman, I want to pave the way for future generations of diverse communities to pursue an MBA at UC Riverside. It is essential to motivate these students, particularly Latinas, who are under-represented in MBA programs, and show them it is possible to pursue higher education.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at UC Riverside? As a graduate student ambassador, I do outreach work and mentor prospective AGSM students. It is really rewarding to be able to help others and represent the school simultaneously. I volunteered with other ambassadors at Miracle on Main Street, and it was fulfilling to help the community during the holidays. As ambassadors, we also host panels to answer questions for incoming students. As a first-generation student myself, I know all of the doubts some may have, and I share my experience.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment in my career is being the first person in my family to attend a university and obtain a bachelor’s degree. Just being able to say I am pursuing a master’s degree at UCR is pretty rewarding.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student is quickly adapting to a new learning environment in the world of business. As an undergrad, I was thinking about law school, so I majored in political science and focused on clubs and programs to help me get there. When I graduated, I realized I wanted to work for a tech company, so I applied to UCR’s MBA program. I was afraid of this huge transition at first—I had never taken a business course. But I made new friends who were also first-year MBA students with no business backgrounds, and I felt part of the community. With resilience and studying hard, I overcame the fear and proved to myself that I can adapt to a new environment and succeed with the right mentality.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? Obtaining an MBA opens many doors in the business world and will give me the necessary skills to be a well-rounded individual and business leader. I am interested in being a program manager at Google or Meta. I want to gain a deeper understanding of the market, competition, and user requirements. I also want to help launch new products and features while testing their performance. I like being part of a team and working collaboratively to create the best products.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into UC Riverside’s MBA program? My advice is to reach out to one of the graduate student ambassadors. Being able to speak to an ambassador helps provide applicants with insight into the expectations of the MBA program. I did not reach out to the ambassadors before I applied, but I know it would’ve helped me understand more about the program. Writing a unique statement of purpose is also beneficial. As an undergraduate, it is important to manage your time wisely to keep up your GPA and extracurriculars, which will make you more competitive within the application process.

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