Harman Dhillon

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

“I’m an attentive and diligent team leader committed to supporting, uplifting and advocating for others.”

Hometown: Diamond Bar, California

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have a twin sister, and our birthday is on April Fool’s Day!

Undergraduate School and Major: California State University, San Bernardino, Business Administration, International Business

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Ayres Hotels, Sales Coordinator

What word best describes the UC Riverside MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far? Inspiring. Every individual I’ve met so far has such an incredibly unique story, and I am motivated by seeing how driven my peers are. More importantly, despite working hard to accomplish their academic and professional goals, everyone I’ve interacted with has played an important role in making me feel supported in my MBA journey. The large population of South Asian students is just one example of how I’ve felt a sense of belonging at UCR within a community that is so genuine and welcoming.

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? UC Riverside’s MBA program stood out to me because of the school’s focus on diversity and inclusion. I studied international business as an undergraduate, and my aim is to pursue a career that involves international management. Therefore, it was important to me that my MBA experience included interactions with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and professions. The international presence among faculty and students was a deciding factor when choosing to pursue a master’s at UC Riverside. Since starting my MBA journey, I’ve already had the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at UC Riverside? The Business Career Professional Development Workshop has by far been my favorite course because it is designed to help MBA students succeed. The practicality of this course encouraged me to get a head start in thinking about my post-graduate plans in more detail. I am confident that this class has and will play an important role in helping me feel more confident in my career goals.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment was in my role as a hotel sales coordinator. I worked closely with the hotel management team to strategize procedures and processes that redefined success criteria as a result of COVID-19. This was, by far, the most eye-opening experience professionally because I was able to see first-hand how a global pandemic affected the hospitality industry, forcing managers to focus on specific areas, such as risk management, and be flexible yet resilient in addressing issues that were nonexistent before the pandemic.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far is being selected to represent UCR’s graduate business programs as a student ambassador. My interactions with the leadership team have been extremely positive. My undergraduate faculty mentor played an immense role in helping me develop as a professional, and his dedication to guiding me inspired me to give back by mentoring others as a graduate student. I am beyond excited to advocate for students while growing my professional development skills.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? The Riverside Food Lab/Downtown Riverside area is my favorite place to hang out, try new foods, and catch up with classmates. It’s such a fun atmosphere, and there are so many great cuisines to try—there’s something for everyone! More importantly, this time away from campus helps form closer friendships and learn more about each other as individuals.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? My interest in management has led me to pursue an MBA after spending about six years working in the hospitality industry. I plan to pursue a career in project management and eventually transition to international project management. I hope to incorporate my passion for mentoring and guiding others while working with diverse teams of people from different countries, cultures, and levels of expertise.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE UC RIVERSIDE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MBA CLASS OF 2024