Snigdha Ojha

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

“Passionate about creativity, art, and creating an aura of positivity and power with confidence.”

Hometown: Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am always up for a conversation with anyone and everyone!

Undergraduate School and Major: Institute of Excellence in Higher Education, Economics, with honors

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: SHEIN International, India office, senior marketing analyst

What word best describes the UC Riverside MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far? In one word, it would be dynamic. Every person I have met after coming to UC Riverside has something new to offer in terms of learning and understanding subject matter. Coming from different backgrounds and cultures, every conversation with fellow students and alumni has been an expression of experiences that help us grow overall. In my many interactions with students, I get a glimpse into-+ their culture, and we have immense respect for each other. This creates an environment for everyone to work on themselves without hesitation. Being accepted wholeheartedly by the faculty and alumni has impressed me, and they provide unconditional support; they are patient enough to answer all questions and provide us guidance in managing the coursework while enjoying our two years at UCR.

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? Personally, I am a content freak: I love watching content on YouTube. When I was doing my research for business schools in California, I viewed many schools, but the UCR tour from the air left an impression on me and made me explore the school in more detail. While I was going through the website, I watched an interview with an alumnus about how he built his business right after he graduated with a bachelor’s and got support from professors for his business even when he was not a very great student academically. This story compelled me to talk to the admissions director, and that interaction was the decision-maker because she was interested in guiding me to the right program. I concluded that the people of UCR have the best interests of all students at heart. I knew that if I was to leave the comfort of home, it had to be in a place like UCR, where everyone is accepted and encouraged to achieve.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at UC Riverside? So far, I have enjoyed taking the Information Systems and Organizational Behavior courses. Both professors have different styles of teaching, yet both keep us engaged in class and encourage interactions. The standup teaching style with jokes of Lecturer Alexandru Roman keeps us all engrossed in the class, and every case study discussion helps me think critically and develop a deep understanding of the subject. In my Information Systems class, Professor Rich Yueh shares stories about brands that keep us hooked to the lecture and help us learn the subject better. The AGSM Student Ambassador program is also a good opportunity, and serving as an ambassador gives me a chance to interact with so many people and learn from them at the same time.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As someone who loves watching content, working for a TV channel and fashion brand has been one of my biggest accomplishments. Good content is incomplete without the story including great locations and attractive, well-dressed characters. In reality, consumers may be challenged with making a choice between a good-looking outfit and a good-quality outfit. SHEIN is an answer to that question, especially for females, because it offers good-looking clothing at affordable prices.

My work included research and consumer insights for the India market. One of the most interesting things within my job was to see how the brand grew in two years in India and internationally. Interacting with consumers, understanding their needs from the brand, and then developing solutions incorporating these needs and demands was one of my most interesting experiences. The immense love from customers for the brand gave me a chance to understand the consumer’s voice using traditional research methods as well as the thriving social media channels. I had the opportunity to understand fashion trends, how e-commerce functions, and how all the likes and reactions are interpreted to develop strategy for brand growth.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? I would consider admission into the competitive pool at the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management as a big accomplishment, and becoming a graduate student ambassador is the cherry on top. When I was thinking about going back to earn a degree after nine years of work experience, I was very nervous about adjusting to school life. But, during my first days on campus, I was introduced to so many facilities and opportunities for students, and I continue to be motivated to get up early in the morning and prepare well for a good, productive day.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? In a short span of time, the Barn has become my most favorite place to hang out. In the evenings, the Barn has a lot to offer, and students and staff come together to get to know each other as colleagues. This is also a good way to learn the formal culture in an informal setting. Tuesday has become my new Friday, as I can take a break at the start of the week by just sitting and chatting with everyone. A fun fact about the Bar: The beverages offered are brewed at UCR. Sometimes, there are also concerts or performances with affordable ticket prices for students, which also gives me a glimpse of the L.A. lifestyle I had heard about. And that’s all on campus.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I planned that after spending enough years working, I would earn an MBA. After coming to UC Riverside, it feels like my decisions and choices have paid off. I wanted to study for an MBA to enter the managerial level, but during the last two years, I was doubting my choice. When I was making a list of schools to apply to, I was looking for a university that accommodates experienced students because I need a more practical and applied approach to studies at this level. I found all of that at UCR.

I want to secure a managerial position in marketing within entertainment, sports, or fashion. My career interests are drawn from my personal interests. For me, watching a good cricket match is as much fun as watching a good movie; a Netflix night or dressing up helps me feel good in different ways. I have observed the same among a lot of consumers, so my interest lies in being able to contribute in an entertaining way. My definition of success is simple: if you are happy doing what you are doing and get a good night’s sleep, then you are successful. A person working in an NGO helping others for less pay is as successful as a person working in a corporation making more money because they both happy doing what they want to do. I hope to inspire all small-town girls who dare to dream big: Just take the first step toward the dream, and the rest of the journey will be amazing.

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