MBA Insider's Blog

First Year Perspectives: Unexpected Benefits of Attending UCLA Anderson

About Jack: Jack Wilson (’24) is originally from San Francisco. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science and a minor in Computer Science. After graduation, Jack moved back to San Francisco where he worked in retail merchandising for the last four or so years. Jack loves to golf, surf, and spend time with friends. Jack is planning on working as a retail consultant immediately upon graduation.

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While the advertised, and maybe even cliché, benefits of attending UCLA Anderson have proven accurate with students successfully pivoting careers, creating a strong network of future business leaders, and learning the necessary skills from a rigorous curriculum, I’d like to offer three benefits of UCLA Anderson that I did not anticipate prior to matriculation that have already had a substantial positive effect on my perspective and experience. Anderson offers the unique opportunity to meet (and befriend!) international students, create strong and lasting roots in Los Angeles, and gain early leadership skills from our strong club culture.

Anderson’s recent 2024 class offers a 40% international student split. With 2 out of every 5 students being foreign-born, the opportunity to meet and learn from folks from Taiwan, Chile, Ukraine, etc. is an incredibly unique offering – one I would argue is nearly impossible to find anywhere else. For example, students recently visited Tokyo and Osaka, led by 3 Japanese-born (and speaking) students each showing off their home cities. Beyond the cultural richness and fun of celebrating each other's cultures – the future professional opportunities from a foreign network are strong.

In my opinion, the location of your MBA experience holds more weight than most students consider. Choosing your MBA location will in turn – likely be choosing where you work and then where you live after graduation. Los Angeles is – without a doubt – one of the best cities in the world. It is culturally rich, with a diverse population and incredibly delicious food. It is naturally stunning with nearly perfect weather, excellent beaches, and parks. While expensive – the cost of living is more reasonable than NYC or San Francisco – other popular options for recent MBA grads. Creating roots and friendships in Los Angeles will prove invaluable for your future happiness in a city with so much to offer.

UCLA Anderson’s club culture is strong and ever-present in students’ lives from the first day you set foot on campus. As a first-year student, I was lucky to hold leadership positions in the Management Consulting Association, Tech Business Association, and the Admissions Ambassador Corps. I have the Consulting Association to thank for my internship and the social clubs to thank for my new friendships. I’m looking forward to my upcoming Vice President role in the Consulting Association and very much underestimated how important clubs would be to my UCLA experience.

Exposure to international students, a Los Angeles network, and club involvement have proven to be three of my most beneficial, and unexpected, UCLA experiences thus far and I look forward to further immersing myself in these experiences during my 2nd year of school.

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Student Blogger: Jack Wilson ‘24

Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis ‘17

Pre-MBA: Senior Category Manager – Chubbies Inc.

Leadership@Anderson:  Director Roles in Admissions Ambassador Corps, Management Consulting Association, Tech Business Association, Retail Business Association

Instagram: @jvwillz

First Year Perspectives: A Brief Insight into Life in LA Outside of Anderson

About Alex: Alex Liu (‘24) is a native Californian who migrated from NorCal down to SoCal to attend Anderson. He graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor’s in Finance and has experience working at a tech startup and in the defense industry. He hopes to find a job he is passionate about, whether that be as a consultant, in entertainment, or in another industry. In his free time, Alex enjoys watching classic movies, trying new cocktails, and spending time with those closest to him.

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When deciding where I wanted to attend business school, the location was always further back in my list of priorities. Surely we’d be so busy with classes and recruiting that where I physically was would not really make that big of a difference. Well in 9 short months, that idea has completely evaporated, as being able to live in a metropolitan setting with countless activities available has been such an uplifting experience. The ability to connect with those with similar interests and have everything at your fingertips is truly incredible, and having the time to do it all is something I didn’t expect. The 3 main factors about life outside of Anderson are:

1. Literally, anything you want to do, you can. Los Angeles truly has something for everyone, whether you want to be outside, inside, or somewhere in between. Friends have been able to surf and ski within the same day, check out both new and old movies at the countless theaters, or do a little of both like going for a hike and then a concert. Not many cities exist in the world that have the attractions that LA has, and almost every weekend I find myself in a new neighborhood seeing different things.

2. Plenty of time to do things. With classes being once a week and no classes on Fridays, there’s ample time to explore and take your mind off of school. I was concerned with the time commitment of everything piling up, and while periods as such do exist, there is also certainly downtime to get back to doing what you want to do. I’m sure I could have had even more time previously if I had learned to manage my schedule more effectively early on!

3. Easy travel access for yourself and those if your life. Another great benefit of being in Los Angeles is that there is no shortage of flights in and out of the city. If you’re not a native Angeleno like many here, that means your family and friends are probably spread out across the country. But with LAX and other airports being so close, it makes travel for those coming to visit and you visiting very simple. It feels like people are always jetting off somewhere or having someone come stay with them, but with a class of 300+, people are bound to be going to cool places and doing cool things.

I had many preconceived notions about what life at business school would be like, and believe me when I say I have plenty of time to explore my passions in a city that contains them all. Los Angeles has anything you could ever want to do, Anderson seemingly budgets time for us students to be able to do those things, and the city is easy to travel both in and out of.

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Student Blogger: Alex Liu ‘24

Undergrad: Santa Clara University ‘17

Pre-MBA: Pricing Analyst at Northrop Grumman

Leadership@Anderson: First-Year Director, Admissions Ambassador Corps; John Anderson Golf Club; Wine Club at Anderson

Instagram handle: @alex_liu3

First Year Perspectives: Perks of Getting your MBA at UCLA Anderson

About Henry: Henry Milgram Cohen (’24) is originally from San Jose, Costa Rica. He graduated from the Universidad de Costa Rica where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and attended Babson College where he specialized in Entrepreneurial Leadership. After graduation, Henry returned to Costa Rica to work for Acabados ELMEC Centroamerica in Costa Rica as the country manager. At ELMEC, he was in charge of developing and carrying out a completely new strategic plan for the Costa Rican branch. At the same time, he served as an adjunct business professor at his undergraduate institution, where he taught an entrepreneurship class for 4 years. At Anderson, he seeks to pivot his career to management consulting, where he plans to take his strategic and problem-solving skills to new heights. Henry chose UCLA Anderson for its diverse and collaborative student body and its strong curriculum.

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Making the decision to pursue an MBA is a big step, and choosing where to do it can be even tougher. I totally get it - I was in the same boat not too long ago. But I can tell you, if you’re considering UCLA Anderson, you’re definitely on the right track.

It’s only been three quarters since I started this journey (damn, time flies. One day you’re starting business school and the next day, you are about to finish your first year), but it has been enough to realize that I couldn’t have made a better decision.

Here are just a few of the perks that make UCLA Anderson an exceptional and unique place to get your MBA:

1. A vibrant campus culture: At UCLA Anderson, there's always something happening on campus. With over 50 clubs and organizations, you'll have no shortage of opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passions and interests. From the Anderson Wine Club to the Women's Business Connection, there are groups dedicated to everything from professional development to social events. And if you can't find a club that matches your interests, you can always start your own! 
2. Location, location, location! Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, UCLA Anderson is situated in one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world. With access to a wide range of cultural events, outdoor activities, and career opportunities, the possibilities are endless. The city's vibrant cultural scene, from museums to music festivals, is sure to satisfy even the most discerning tastes. Plus, with the beach just 10 minutes away, you can soak up the sun and surf in your downtime. Your time at UCLA Anderson will be not just academically fulfilling, but personally enriching as well!
3. A tight-knit community: At UCLA Anderson, you're not just another student in a sea of faces. You're part of a close-knit community of individuals who are committed to helping each other succeed. With small class sizes and a collaborative learning environment, you'll have the opportunity to build lasting relationships with your peers and faculty members, who come from diverse backgrounds and industries. There are countless opportunities to connect with alumni beyond the classroom, who are eager to share their experiences and offer support and guidance as you navigate your own career path. From career fairs to mentorship programs, the Anderson community is committed to helping you achieve your goals. And because of the strong bonds you'll form during your time at Anderson, you'll have a network that will be with you for the rest of your life, no matter where your career takes you.
4. Real-world experience: At UCLA Anderson, the emphasis is on learning by doing. While the classroom provides a strong foundation, it's the real-world experience that sets Anderson students apart. One of the school's flagship programs is the capstone project, a second-year required course that gives students the opportunity to work on real-world business problems. Whether you're working with a local non-profit or partnering with a large successful company, the capstone project provides hands-on experience that prepares you for the challenges of the business world. The Venture Accelerator program is another example of real-world experience at Anderson, providing a range of resources from mentorship to seed funding. Through the Venture Accelerator, students have access to a network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts who can provide guidance and support as they work to turn their ideas into reality. And since the program is open to all Anderson students, regardless of their concentration, it offers a unique opportunity for students to collaborate with peers from a wide range of backgrounds and industries.

So there you have it - just a few of the many reasons why UCLA Anderson is an amazing place to pursue your MBA. If you’re looking for an educational experience that will challenge, inspire, and support you, then UCLA Anderson is definitely the place for you.

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Student Blogger: Henry Milgram Cohen ‘24

Undergrad: Universidad de Costa Rica (’15) – Bachelor in Business Administration

Pre-MBA:Country Manager, Acabados ELMEC Centroamerica (Retail business in the construction industry)

Leadership@Anderson: First-Year Director, Admission Ambassador Corps; Director of Operations, Management Consulting Association; Director of Admissions, Latin American Business Association; Director of Admissions, Jewish Business Association

Instagram: @hmilgram

First Year Perspectives: A Texan’s Perspective on Adjusting to a New City and Adapting to School

About Hunter: Prior to Anderson, Hunter Haas (‘24) lived in Dallas, Texas and worked in Accounting Advisory at Riveron Consulting. Hunter is a first-year student at Anderson and in his free time, he likes running, cycling, trying new coffee shops in Los Angeles, walking/hiking with his wife and dog, and game nights! At Anderson, he seeks to pivot his niche accounting consulting experience into management consulting.

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In the interest of full transparency, I never envisioned myself moving to and living in California. But once you visit the great city of Los Angeles, things can and will quickly change. Upon stepping foot on campus, I quickly fell in love with UCLA, Anderson, and the diverse and vibrant city of LA. That being said, I do want to take this opportunity to provide some key tips in adjusting to LA and adapting to school:

Adjusting to LA:

1. Live close to campus: If you’re not familiar with the landscape of LA, it’s H-U-G-E. To maximize your Anderson experience, I would highly recommend living close to campus. I prefer Brentwood, but other neighborhoods include: Sawtelle, Santa Monica, and Westwood.
2. Driving in LA hits different: Drivers beware, LA drivers are aggressive and do NOT use blinkers. Being from Houston, I thought I was ready for driving in LA; however, I had to quickly adjust to the pace and type of driving.
3. FOOD: The food scene is incredible and should be explored to its fullest potential! I have had the pleasure to try Persian, Peruvian, and KBBQ. If you’re ever missing home and want a food companion, count me in and invite others too!

Adapting to School:

1. Network early: Anderson helped expedite the internal-networking process by creating a spreadsheet to input: hometown, current city, background, interests, etc. As a result, my very first friend reached out to me because of my interest in anime. We got coffee and talked about anime, sports, and much more. As a bonus, he invited me to a BBQ where I met more Anderson students. Making new friends in business school may sound easy or nerve-wracking but do it! It’s worth it!
2. Know your priorities: If you’re a pivoter or recruiting for an intense industry, know your priorities. Easier said than done, but it will help you assess competing deadlines and other distractors.
3. Take time for yourself: Outside of the hustle and bustle of school, networking, and interviewing, take time to invest in yourself. Go to the beach. Take a walk. Call a friend or family member. MBA school can feel like an individual mission, but once you’re able to invite others into your team/corner, the experience becomes more enjoyable and conquerable. Soak up your first teammates – your learning team! Shout out to the Lazy Daisies!
4. Have fun: This may seem far-fetched because you’re coming to MBA school to obtain an education and secure your dream job, but MBA school is meant to be FUN (cue the SpongeBob song)! It’s an exciting time to meet other classmates and professors, to experience a new (or familiar) city, and/or to reflect on yourself. So, join clubs that are interesting to you or that will expand your horizons, take classes that will sharpen you instead of for a grade, engage in dialogue with your peers, etc.

Hopefully this Texan turned Los Angeleno was able to impart his wisdom. If you need more specific information, don’t hesitate to reach out!

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Student Blogger: Hunter Haas ‘24

Undergrad: University of Texas at Austin, ’16 and ‘17

Pre-MBA: Accounting Advisory at Riveron Consulting

Leadership@Anderson: Consultant – Anderson Strategy Group, Director of Student Affairs – Admissions Ambassador Corps, Director of Allyship – Women’s Business Connection, Executive Director – Retail Business Association, Riordan Mentor, Tutor – Financial Accounting

Instagram: haaston_texas

First year Perspectives: Transitioning from Summer to Fall

About Sarah: Sarah Gerlach grew up in Southern California, but headed north to UC Berkeley for college and graduated with Bachelors of Science in Environmental Economics. She then started a career in tech, working in digital marketing at Google in Mountain View and New York City. Sarah chose to attend UCLA Anderson because it gives her the opportunity to explore new career paths, like management consulting, while also pursuing her passions like environmentalism.

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As a Southern California native, the only autumns I knew growing up consisted of weather in the high 60’s through the low 80’s. There were Halloweens when it was over 85 degrees and we would be sweating while trick-or-treating, and Thanksgivings where we would go to the beach on black Friday. Fall would slowly roll into winter; we would celebrate Christmas and the New Year. There would be roughly 3-4 inches of rain. Then it would be March again and temperatures would climb back up to their regular spot in the 70s.

I was lucky enough to spend almost three years in New York before moving back to Los Angeles. I moved to Manhattan in June, when New Yorkers are at their happiest: the days are long, the parks come alive, and the rooftop scene is thriving. However I was in for a rude awakening the very first fall. I will never forget waking up on Thanksgiving morning to a blustery 9 degrees Fahrenheit. December, January, and February came with their grey skies and snowstorms. It was cold and I was woefully unprepared, but I learned to love putting on my scarf, boots, beanie, gloves, and coat every morning.

Being back in Southern California this time of year makes me miss the East Coast, with the changing leaves in Central Park and the ability to wear fall accessories without sweating. But I am also reminded of how much I love the subtle changes in California that represent our lack of seasons. In fall, it finally starts to cool down at night! Football season ramps up and basketball kicks off (let’s go Bruins)! And Trader Joe’s sells delicata and acorn squash again! The lack of bold seasonal changes is a hint to look more closely around the beautiful UCLA campus and notice the subtle differences, like the light breeze permeating through the Anderson courtyard.

Most importantly, the change of seasons this year has me reflecting on how much my life has changed over the last six months. Coming to Anderson was a big decision, and now that I’m here, it’s one I know I would make every single time. The best part of fall quarter is feeling settled. I am finally getting in the groove of studying, contributing more to campus clubs, and finding my place amongst my diverse peers. I realized this transition to fall is more internal than external, so I think I’ll appreciate the 70 degree weather for a little while longer.

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Student Blogger: Sarah Gerlach ‘24

Undergrad: UC Berkeley ‘15

Pre-MBA: Digital Marketing at Google

Leadership@Anderson: First-Year Director, Admission Ambassador Corps; Director of Education, Management Consulting Association; Director of Alumni Relations, Alliance for Latinx Management; Section Director of Sustainability

 

What to Look For in Summer Quarter?

About Akshita: Akshita Saxena (’23) is a first-year MBA candidate at UCLA Anderson. She comes from a background in Analytics and Business Intelligence at The Coca-Cola Company. This summer Akshita will be interning at PwC as a Summer Associate in the Chicago office. Outside of school, she enjoys exploring LA’s brunches and beaches. Akshita is originally from India and received her BE in Computer Science in 2019.

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You’ve packed your bags, booked your flights, and finally arrived in LA!! Your summer is going to be AMAZING, trust me. From socializing, academics, recruiting prep, networking, exploring, and a lot of partying, there is going to be a lot happening in the Summer Quarter. Here are a few important (and definitely fun) things to keep in mind: 

Orientation Week 

The first week of your MBA life! Walk up to your fellow classmates and say hi. We have students coming in from all over the world, and some of the best friendships are made during your orientation week. This week is basically Anderson 101 - getting face time with our Dean, learning about UCLA’s academics, exploring Anderson’s facilities, and meeting everyone for free breakfast and happy hours! This is also when you take my personal favorite class “Leadership Foundations”- a fun week indeed!

Parker Summer Series 

Anderson’s Parker Career Center does a great job in preparing us for the recruiting cycle to come. This is the time you network with your fellow peers to explore the industries that interest you. During Summer quarter, you work in small groups led by a Parker advisor to refine your resume, build your LinkedIn profile, and start mapping out your personal and professional strengths. This is the most important foundational step into preparing for the recruiting cycle.

AnderEvents

An MBA is also a social program. From on-campus happy hours to section-wide dinners, there are so many ways to socialize with your peers. There are multiple student-led events happening every single day, from beach hangs and museum outings to food trails and LA touristy days. You will have tons of social events to choose from depending on your interests. Remember to use this as an opportunity to get to know one another!

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Student Blogger: Akshita Saxena - MBA'23

Undergrad: MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology ‘19

Pre-MBA: Business Analyst, The Coca-Cola Company

Leadership@Anderson:  President of Challenge for Charity (C4C), President of Creatives Club, VP of International Relations for Management Consulting Association (MCA), Director of Surf and Beach Club (SBC), Director of Marketing and Communications for Anderson Admission Corps (AAC)

The Balancing Act of Business School – Coursework, Social, Recruiting, and Everything Else

About Danielle: Danielle Truitt (’23) is a first-year MBA candidate at UCLA Anderson. She comes from a background in Sales Operations & Strategy at VC-backed companies, including Yotpo and WeWork. This summer Danielle will be interning at Bain & Company as a Summer Associate in the Los Angeles office. Outside of school, she enjoys exploring LA by hiking, playing tennis, and finding new group workout classes. Danielle is originally from Sarasota, FL and received her BBA from Emory University in 2015.

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As I reflect on my time at Anderson, I’ve realized that the last eight months have been a balancing act. First year MBAs constantly need to choose between spending time networking and preparing for interviews, meeting new people and building friendships, and actually studying. Business school has been an amazing experience, but if I’ve learned anything, it’s that time is a finite resource – time spent in one area means less time in another. Over the past few quarters, I’ve learned how to balance the amazing opportunities afforded by attending Anderson and living in LA. Here are my three tips:

(1) Prioritize in short increments, whether that’s the next week, months, or quarter

Throughout your time at Anderson, you will have different priorities and areas of focus. To ensure that you are getting a balanced experience, break down your time in business school into smaller increments. This helps you stay focused on each task at hand, while also allowing you to shift your priorities. In the Fall, recruiting for consulting was my primary goal, so I focused all of my time and energy on making sure that I could be the best candidate. Once I received my offer, I used the Winter quarter to relax and spend time socializing and traveling.

(2) Give yourself breaks and time to reflect

A quarter may seem like a long time to stay focused and dedicated, especially because emotions and energy change quickly. Throughout the process, give yourself the time and space to assess what you have already done and reflect on where you want to go. For me, being outside is imperative for my mental health, so every day, I made sure to spend time outside, whether that was going for walk or working out. These were breaks that allowed me to reflect, understand how I was feeling, and formulate a plan for action.

(3) Your Anderson classmates can support and guide you 

Remember, you aren’t reinventing the wheel; countless people have been through business school before and have been in your shoes. Use your current classmates and 2nd years as resources to support you, whether that’s through bouncing ideas off one another or by discussing how they might approach a situation you’re faced with. It’s also a great way to make a few new friends 😊.

Overall, don’t forget to ENJOY your time in business school!  From traveling to cool new places (I went to Costa Rica for Spring Break) to pushing myself outside of my comfort zone, I can honestly say that year one has been a time for exploration, growth, and fun.

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Student Blogger: Danielle Truitt '23

Undergrad: Emory University ‘15

Pre-MBA: Sales Operations & Strategy, WeWork

Leadership@Anderson:  VP of Wellness, Women’s Business Connection; VP of Education, Management Consulting Association; EDI, Anderson Ambassador Corps

5 of My Favorite Anderson Experiences

About Brad: Brad Schierhorn (’23) is first-year full time MBA student at UCLA Anderson. Prior to business school, he worked in asset management at an affordable housing investment firm in Boston. At Anderson, he seeks to develop his real estate and finance skills to pursue a career in acquisitions. Brad is a huge sports fan and loves to spend as much time outside as possible.

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As you’ve probably learned by reading other blog posts, there is no shortage of things to do throughout your MBA experience. As we are already in Spring quarter and almost done with our first year, I can attest that it goes by fast, so make sure to enjoy it! Here are my top five experiences thus far at Anderson.

Orientation week

This is the time to meet your classmates! One of my favorite aspects of Anderson is meeting people from different backgrounds, countries, and industries. Throughout orientation week, you will take your first class (Leadership Foundations), attend several seminars about life at Anderson, and have social events each night. This was a whirlwind of a week, but one of my favorites as there was no shortage of things to do. This year, there was one happy hour on Monday on campus and then the Onboarding Committee set up happy hours two nights where each section was assigned a local establishment in Sawtelle/Santa Monica to meet at. Make sure to take advantage of this time to meet people as the Fall and Winter get much busier as you take more classes and begin recruiting.

Tailgating at the Rose Bowl

One reason why I wanted to come to Anderson was to get the big school experience and attend big time football and basketball games. Although a bit of a trek from West LA (30 miles or so), I highly recommend getting out to the Rose Bowl for some football games. Make sure to get there early for some awesome tailgating! The Rose Bowl is right next to a golf course where thousands of UCLA fans enjoy food, drinks, and lawn games before the football game. The tailgating atmosphere is amazing and the weather is tough to beat. Carpool with a group of friends or join one of the Anderson tailgates and I’ll see you out there next year!

UT Case Competition

Throughout your time at Anderson, you will have the opportunity to participate in case competitions. These can be on campus, virtual, or you might even get to travel. I was fortunate enough to compete in the UT McCombs National Real Estate Challenge with five of my classmates last November. We were given a prompt on a Thursday, had to submit our slide deck on Sunday, and then presented to a panel of judges the following Thursday with 19 other MBA programs. Although that week was stressful, it was absolutely one of my favorite experiences at Anderson. Within our group, we really bonded over that week and it was a blast to compete with other schools. After the competition was over, we chose to stay an extra night and enjoy a night out in Austin. I highly recommend participating in case competitions if you get the chance! 

Ski trip

One of the big Anderson traditions is to go on a ski trip after Fall quarter. This is organized by students on the board of Challenge for Charity (C4C) each year and is usually in early-mid December. This year’s destination was Whistler and we had an absolute blast. The planning team did an awesome job of organizing transportation to/from the Vancouver airport, picking a hotel within walking distance of everything, and setting up a great social schedule throughout the week. Theme nights included onesies, 80s, and Canadian tuxedos. To top it all off, I don’t think it stopped snowing the four days we were there.

Days at the beach

This is more of an ongoing experience as I don’t have one particular day in mind. As most students live in West LA, the beaches are pretty easy to access. My favorite is Manhattan Beach, but Will Rogers and Santa Monica are also great and closer for most of us. Whether you like to surf, play beach games, or just relax and enjoy some sun, there’s something for everyone at the beach. My favorite activities are volleyball and body surfing. I haven’t tried real surfing yet, but maybe my classmate Gus Avarello ’23 will show me the ropes sometime! The weather here is amazing and I try to enjoy as much time at the beach as possible.

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Student Blogger: Brad Schierhorn '23

Undergrad: Dartmouth College ’16

Pre-MBA: VP, R4 Capital

Leadership@Anderson: First-Year Director, Admissions Ambassador Corps; Director of Admissions & Academic Affairs, Association for Real Estate at Anderson

Student Perspectives: Getting Outdoors in LA

About Eli: Eli is a first-year full-time MBA student specializing in real estate and hoping to pivot into development after graduation. Prior to Anderson, he worked in architecture for several firms, and has lived in LA the past two years. An avid outdoorsman, Eli can often be found at the beach, hiking the Santa Monica mountains, or biking around the city. He also follows multiple sports closely and, as a proud owner of a rescue dog, loves all things dog related.

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For those who love nature, LA might seem daunting from afar. A city famous for its smog, traffic, and endless sprawl sounds unappealing for those who enjoy a quick escape into nature. I was worried that living in LA, all the great outdoor adventures would be too far away or too difficult to reach in the city’s infamous traffic. But having lived here for several years, I can safely say that LA is one of the best cities in the country for outdoorsy people like myself. And Anderson’s clubs have only improved the opportunity to explore this region.

I quickly fell in love with LA’s beaches. The deep expanse of sand, the mountains rising above Malibu, the surfers playing in the waves, the orange and purple sunsets – it was intoxicating. There’s no substitute for living near the ocean, and anytime I feel stressed or anxious, any view of it never fails to brighten my mood. A huge benefit of UCLA is that you’re likely to live within a 15-minute drive from a beach. Anderson’s Surf and Beach Club hosts frequent events, including surf lessons and volleyball tournaments, that provide the ideal break from whatever is stressing you out.

I also fell in love with the Santa Monica Mountains. Some of the best urban hiking in the US can be found 15 minutes from UCLA’s campus. Their variety of terrain, views of the ocean and city, and accessibility is amazing – in an hour I can go from school to standing atop a peak with views of the ocean, downtown, and other mountains that surround LA. Evening hikes are often informally organized by Anderson students, and the Outdoor Adventure Club (OAC) posts hikes as well. They’re a great chance to explore the mountains and see LA from above.

I found the bicycling here to be incredible – beautiful, safe, with every level of difficulty. Santa Monica and Venice are extremely bike-friendly, with miles of protected bike lanes. There’s a continuous path along the ocean that runs for over 20 miles, providing great sightseeing and opportunities to explore the other cities along the coast. Towering above LA, the San Gabriel Mountains quickly became a favorite place of mine to hike and ski. An hour from UCLA, these mountains house the closest ski resort to the city, and it’s possible to both ski and surf in the same day! 

Lots of beautiful streets to bike down

A foggy day in LA, over 10,000 feet below

And with a weekend to get out and explore? I found so many possibilities! The impossibly weird landscape of Joshua Tree is a short 2 hours to the east. The majestic waterfalls of Yosemite and enormous trees in Sequoia are 5 hours to the north. Through OAC, I spent a weekend camping on Catalina Island, a 45-minute ferry ride off the coast to the south. The variety of nature accessible from LA in a day’s drive is remarkable, and no class on Fridays make those trips more possible than ever.

OAC Campsite on Catalina

Having 284 days of sun per year makes adventuring outdoors even easier. Whatever you love to do outdoors is here, in great quantity and quality, and Anderson has a club that will make it easier for you to access and to meet people with the same interest.

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Student Blogger: Eil Wilson ‘23

Undergrad: Rice University ‘16

Pre-MBA: Architectural Designer, CallisonRTKL

Leadership@Anderson: Director of Community, Anderson Real Estate Association; Director of Net Impact Week, Net Impact Club; Director, Anderson Admissions Committee

Day in the Life: Interning at The Wonderful Company (Tuesday Takeover)

Post is a part of the Day in the Life series - each post is written by a current UCLA Anderson student who shares their "Day in the Life"

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Hello! As a prospective student, you are probably wondering what potential internships you can get as a UCLA Anderson student and what it is like being an intern again (after having worked a few years before business school). The summer internship experience is definitely different than the business school year, but it is also fun too. I’ve been interning this summer as an MBA Brand Management Intern on the Pistachios team at The Wonderful Company in Los Angeles. I have two big projects for the summer where I get to make an impact in just 10 weeks and work with a lot of different people throughout the organization. The Wonderful Company has a variety of brands in its portfolio and as an intern, I’ve been able to learn a little about all of them. It’s nice to be in LA for the summer as well - I am lucky to have just a five minute drive to the office!

 

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8:30am: Board the private plane to Paso Robles! The Wonderful Company also owns JUSTIN vineyards and winery, located in Paso Robles, California. As summer interns, my fellow Anderson classmate, Nick Zimowski and I were fortunate enough to take a day trip up to the tasting room and vineyard.

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2:00pm: As my afternoon activity at the Marketing + Insights department retreat in late July, I played golf at the Ojai Valley Inn. Not too shabby for a Tuesday! Anderson ‘09 Alum Diana Salsa also hit the links.

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3:30pm: On a tour of the JUSTIN vineyard in Paso Robles! The wine is delicious.

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6:30pm: As an intern, I also got to attend the National Sales Meeting in Westlake Village in early July. This photo was taken in the photo booth at the dinner the first night with the Pistachios brand team, including two Anderson Alums - my manager for the summer, Danielle McLachlan (class of 2008) and Camila Moura (class of 2017). No Shell Pistachios are a big priority for the company and we just launched Chili Roasted and Honey Roasted flavors last month. The Chili Roasted are my personal favorite!

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This summer has flown by! And while I’ve had a lot of fun, I have also learned a lot as well. My projects are very data driven and unlike anything I’ve done before. I think I will look back on this summer and think of it fondly for many years to come. Good luck and the next time you’re craving a salty snack, go get yourself some Wonderful Pistachios!

 

-- Emily Moore ‘20

 

ABOUT EMILY

• Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
• Undergraduate Studies: Business Administration - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Pre-Anderson: Sports Marketing Manager - ESPN
• MBA Summer Internship: Brand Management - The Wonderful Company
• Post-MBA Goals: Marketing
• Leadership@Anderson: President - Admissions Ambassador Corps, President - Sports Business Association, VP of Diversity - John Anderson Golf Club
• Activities@Anderson: Marketing Association, Women's Business Connection, Strategy & Operations Management Association, AnderTech, Anderson Wine Club, Anderson Tennis Club, Travel & Hospitality Club, AnderEats