California Davis

History

Peter J. Shields, secretary of State Agricultural Society championed the effort towards establishing a University Farm in California to teach agriculture, as California students had to seek admission in out-of-state universities in order to pursue a career in agriculture. University Farm came into being in 1909, after the California legislature passed the University Farm Bill in 1905. The Graduate Division was established in 1961 followed by the College of Engineering in 1962.

MISSION STATEMENT

With a mission to advance the human condition through improving the quality of life for all, UC Davis uses a framework that connects its land-grant history to a transformative vision for the 21st century.

Core Strengths of the School

The UC Davis MBA program is driven by a new capstone course IMPACT (Integrated Management Project and Articulation and Critical Thinking) that facilitates in nurturing the business skills of the participants. The students work in teams over projects for partner companies that range from Fortune 500 companies to Silicon Valley startups. The entire experience gives immense exposure to the real-world business dynamics and students build a strong foundation in the different functional spheres of business like economics, finance, marketing, strategy, etc. The various case studies, lectures from renowned faculty members and the collaboration with companies over numerous projects foster an experiential learning environment. The curriculum aims at integrating leadership with ethics and social responsibility with the aim of creating responsible business leaders, who provide innovative and sustainable solutions to business problems.

Uniqueness in MBA Pedagogy

Principled Leadership, Collaborative Action, Corporate Responsibility, Embracing Diversity and Global Dimensions are the core values of the UC Davis MBA program.

Principled Leadership: The trainings and workshops offered during the program inculcate responsible business practices in students. There are case-studies, lessons from executives, seminars and informational events that draw examples of ethical leadership. The Executives-in-Residence and distinguished guest speakers share their experiences of overcoming complex business challenges. Students develop a diverse perspective on the varied leadership styles, when they get to interact with successful business leaders. The leadership and career development training has a 360-degree peer leadership evaluation that provides valuable feedback to each student in order to improve his leadership skills. A personal leadership development plan is crafted out for each student based on this feedback and the student’s own self-assessment of his leadership skills.

Collaborative Action: The School fosters collaborative spirit among the students that facilitates fresh approaches and the birth of new ideas. Students get inspired by the talent and creativity of their peers and this sparks their own innovative thinking. The unique set of talents of the diverse group creates synergy and facilitates long-lasting bonds among students.

Corporate Responsibility: The School aims at driving the future business and creating a positive social and environmental impact. Responsible business ethics, corporate citizenship and environmental sustainability are integrated into the core curriculum of the program.

Embracing Diversity: The School is committed to achieving its goals by creating a culturally diverse environment that exposes the students to new ways of thinking and doing business. The diverse background of the students offers a breadth of perspectives that prepares students to have an innovative and results-driven approach to business problems.

Global Dimensions: The School is fully aware of the requirements of the global marketplace and works towards broadening and deepening the understanding of its students regarding the global business dynamics. The International Study Trips to some of the leading companies of Europe, Asia and America is an opportunity for the students to delve into the factors that affect the global business dynamics and build their global network.

The MBA Consulting Center is a platform for the MBA students to work as management consultants for large corporations, start-up ventures, non-profits and government agencies. Students get hands-on experience to work on a critical business issue impacting the company and address it by coming up with innovative, cutting-edge and sustainable solution. These engagements prove to be highly beneficial for the students as they get an opportunity to address the strategic, market and operational challenges faced by the sponsor companies.

The Child Family Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship is the culminating point for engineers, scientists, MBA students, entrepreneurs, investors and corporate leaders, where they exchange ideas and explore various commercialization strategies. This is a platform for students to enhance their professional network and get access to the tools and resources required for them to succeed in their goals.

CONCENTRATIONS OFFERED

LOCATION ADVANTAGES

The campus is 15 miles west of the state’s capital Sacramento and 75 miles east of San Francisco and the Bay Area. This location is the economic power centre of Northern California and hence, the School is able to network with numerous corporate organizations, financial institutions and government agencies that result in several internships and full-time job opportunities for the students. Students look forward to experience the calmness of Lake Tahoe and the ski slopes of Sierra Nevada during weekends. Students can indulge in various recreational activities over the weekend such as boating, swimming, skiing and sailing on the Sacramento River Delta or San Francisco Bay. Students have access to bikeways, tennis courts, swimming pools and golf course for regular exercising and body fitness.

CAREER SUPPORT

The Career Development Center accelerates the career path of the students by devising effective strategies and job search techniques. The Center conducts a thorough self-assessment of the students, where the career advisors help the students in exploring the various career options and determining their long term career goals. The career advisors chart out an effective job hunt strategy and career plan for each student. Students are trained to market themselves effectively by establishing their personal brand and creating a winning resume. Career advisors train students by providing feedback of the mock interviews that would help them prepare for a better response. There are online career resources and job boards that help students connect with the potential employers.