How can the UCLA Anderson experience add value to your professional development? Describe your short-term and long-term career goals.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a creator. From designing sun visors for vertically challenged drivers in high school to ideating, strategizing, and designing greenfield products at work, my innate curiosity has led to innovation. Over the past year, a core work project focused on improving the autonomous vehicle experience has sparked a newfound interest and my short-term goal. Post-MBA, I aspire to launch a start-up specializing in design-centric, in-car entertainment solutions for autonomous vehicles.

In-car entertainment products demand significant focus on design due to their user-centric nature. The design element appeals to my inner artist, while my belief that autonomy has the power to change the world – from shrinking our energy footprint to reducing accident-related deaths – inspired the engineer in me to develop an in-car entertainment concept. And given the industry’s low market saturation, the $33.8 billion in-car entertainment solution market is ripe for first movers!

As such, the time is right to enhance my knowledge and skill set at Anderson, where entrepreneurship is evident in the very fiber of the program. Classes within the Entrepreneurship career path such as “Managing Entrepreneurial Operations” and “Global Economy” will instill a deep understanding of how operational competencies and growth strategies lead to value creation and competitive advantages. Moreover, core courses in accounting and finance will be critical for both launching and growing my business, while an active role in the Entrepreneur Association will surround me with like-minded students who can serve as my concept’s sounding board and help me grow as a leader. Furthermore, as one of the leading competitions for budding entrepreneurs in the Southern California region, the Knapp Venture Competition will allow me to demonstrate my concept, solicit feedback, and foster relationships with mentors that could provide incomparable insights and potentially serve as seed investors. Further, I would seek to intern at TTT during the summer, as Anderson’s deep-seated relationship with the California-based, high-tech vehicle manufacturer would round out my education by providing first-hand experience to the autonomous world. I anticipate leveraging this connection to further refine my in-car entertainment concept, while establishing industry relationships that would otherwise be difficult to cultivate without the support of the Anderson brand.

Longer-term, I am passionate about increasing the female populace in high-tech fields. In 2017, such founders received only 2% of venture capital dollars, a disheartening statistic that initially made me question my entrepreneurial ambitions. To temper this concern for the next generation, my long-term goal is to become an angel investor and venture capitalist to fund promising female founders. Further, as part of my fund, I would seek to partner with and support non-profit entities such as Iridescent, which emphasize STEM education to increase the pipeline of budding female entrepreneurs.

I am confident Anderson’s exceptional mix of entrepreneurial coursework, tight-knit community, and unmatched industry relationships will best position me to achieve my short and long-term goals, and I am excited to join the Class of 2021.