Jiabei (Bay) Hu

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

“Fast learner, critical thinker, and multitasker.”

Hometown: Huangshi City, Hubei province, China

Fun Fact About Yourself: I spent four years studying a language major in a southern Chinese city, one year as an exchange student in Vietnam, and then two years working in Dalian, a northern Chinese city. After seven years of employment in Shanghai, I decided to pursue a full-time MBA degree in the United States instead of a promotion. I am eager to experience a variety of cultures and fields in my relatively brief lifetime—perpetually seeking a better version of myself at various stages of life.

Undergraduate School and Major: Guangxi University of Nationalities, majored in Vietnamese

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:  Commercial Excellence Manager, Johnson Controls

What word best describes the UC Riverside MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far? Generous. They are good-natured, patient when listening to others, and generous with their advice. For instance, an MBA student loaned me his calculator, so that I could save money, and other materials to help with my homework. They actively participate in orientation and other events designed to quickly familiarize new students with UCR. This is particularly helpful for international students to become familiar with UCR’s resources and better navigate housing, financial, academic, and social pressures. Their assistance and care are indispensable and a great advantage to us.

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? UCR places a great emphasis on career counseling and practical skill development. For example, AGSM career counseling is exclusively for business school graduate students to assist us with the current business job market. The faculty and mentors at AGSM are so accommodating; they listen to students’ needs and then devise appropriate solutions to their problems. This includes course plans and career guidance, so that students can juggle their internships with their studies. What I find particularly valuable is that instructors have identified the requirements of employers, partly based on their own experiences, and teach us how to respond to interview questions and how to design our résumés.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at UC Riverside? I’ve enjoyed the Information Systems course most because I’ve learned the fundamental logic and methods of data analysis so that I can independently analyze data from a variety of industries. Due to the curriculum and dynamic platforms that aid student comprehension, the Information Systems coursework is not particularly difficult to comprehend for international graduate students from various countries who lack experience in Python, SQL, and programming.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My position as finance associate at HP was largely aiding the Global Business Service department primarily for the AR side, conducting random audits to help check the account at quarter’s end, and instructing employees on the new system. It was a tedious, desk-bound job with no variety. My role model was the department’s supervisor; she exemplified the power of leadership to foster team growth and contributed immeasurable value to the business. I aspire to be a successful woman who contributes to the company’s business and strategy by converting my personal capabilities to team performance.

As a language major without a specific business background, I must exert more effort to achieve my goal to become a “commercially relevant leader.” I continue to acquire knowledge and experience in a variety of projects, industries, and roles in an effort to gradually do what I am interested in and strengthen the skills where I may be lacking. Gaining experience is the most valuable thing I can do to bridge the gap between my current position and my career objective. Years of hard work led to my success in the past. In terms of long-term goals, an MBA is an excellent way to begin a new career path. 

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? I have been selected as an AGSM graduate ambassador to represent UCR and the business school in front of employers and organizations. For example, I recently participated in the Economic Forecast Conference, with nearly 300 attendees, as a representative of AGSM. The robust networking before and after the forecast allowed me to connect with many experts and obtain professional economic data.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? I have organized trips for friends, including MBA graduate students and undergraduates, to Crystal Cove State Park, Route 66 Shooting Sports Park, and Downtown Los Angeles Halloween events. We are exploring additional opportunities to talk and strengthen friendships across races, backgrounds, and ages. Networking is essential for both career advancement and social skill enhancement.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation?  I was promoted to marketing demand generation manager at two companies, General Electric and Johnson Controls. Despite burying myself in relevant books, I felt unprepared for this role. I realized my lack of systematic business and market knowledge hindered my career advancement. Therefore, I enrolled in UCR’s MBA program to acquire specialized skill sets and professional business perspectives. After graduation, I hope to work for a reputable company and build my own team and demonstrate my leadership potential. I want to positively affect others, especially other women. In some ways, job success for women is more challenging than for men, particularly in the business field. I have worked with some successful women who sacrificed a great deal, including marriage, children, and intimate relationships. In my opinion, success is not money, but rather positive energy and the ability to inspire people. I hope that I can enhance my talents and my intuition, which will allow me to grow and subsequently inspire others. As a UCR alumna, I hope to provide resources to and share experiences with the students at UCR to help them build their own professional networks.

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