Bart Archuleta

“Driven, ambitious, hard-working, dependable, compassionate, authentic, loyal, fun, funny, caring, strong, confident, capable, intelligent”

Hometown: Corona, California

 Fun Fact About Yourself: On October 10, 2024, I coordinated a dinosaur fossil dig for veterans. I was able to secure funding for both lodging and transportation from two different foundations. The purpose of the event was to allow veterans to mentally decompress by learning about the biological and geological history of North America.

Undergraduate School and Major: UC Riverside, business administration with a concentration in information systems

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: UC Riverside, VA school certifying official assistant; Eastern Municipal Water District, enterprise geographic information system intern

What were some of the key motivating factors behind pursuing your MBA, and why did this seem like the right time for you?

I wanted to make myself more competitive in hiring and prepared to take on management roles. I felt like pursuing graduate school right after undergrad would make the transition easier.

What are one or two key aspects of this MBA program that stood out among the others, and why were they so important to you?

UC Riverside’s location is ideal because it is a logistics hub. Companies in the area in my preferred field of logistics and information technology include ESRI, CED, and Uline.

What club, activity, or experience at the school have you most enjoyed so far, and why?

As an undergraduate, I was very involved with the campus Student Veterans Organization, and I plan to continue in this capacity, assisting and networking with other veterans to better our community.

What is your biggest accomplishment in your career so far?

Earning my bachelor’s degree while working full time.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to other prospective MBAs? Why?

I recently read an article, “Leveraging AI To Build Apps,” by Christian Findlay, which breaks down how AI has made software applications much simpler to create. After reading this article, I am more creative with my ideas for apps/businesses because AI has made developing software much more accessible.

What are two things you have learned at your school that have surprised you so far — one academic and one non-academic?

Academically, I was surprised to learn that the amount of education that I can retain comes down to how much I choose to apply myself. I have learned that listening to a speaker or reading a book, for me at least, means nothing without reflection on that knowledge and application of the ideas.

Non-academically, I learned about the importance of networking. I was able to secure two separate internships that would’ve been much harder to obtain had it not been for the connections I’ve made. I also am surprised by how much I enjoy making those connections and hope that I can help others equally.

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program?

I found that I am very interested in the collection, production, and distribution of data. In every job I’ve had, I’ve used the value of data as a tool in organization.

What advice would you give to help prospective MBAs as they look to gain admission into an MBA program?

Start thinking about what kind of business venture interests you and how an MBA can help you make that idea a reality. This is an important reason to embark on this journey in the first place.