Brianna Rodriguez, UCLA Anderson MBA Class of 2026
Age: 30
Hometown: Fillmore, CA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Arizona – Political Science: Law & Public Policy
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Teacher & College Counselor, Pritzker College Prep, 8 years (total)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I am still so passionate about education and college access but when I started thinking about what the next 5 years of my career would be like, I didn’t see myself moving into administrative positions at my school. I loved leading teams and coordinating large-scale projects and realized that a lot of the skills and strengths I’d built as a teacher would apply to a career in consulting. I knew I needed to develop my analytical skills and that business school was a great setting to do that. I also wanted to expand my network outside of the field of education and get the chance to work with and learn from people from all different backgrounds. I was starting to feel burnt out from working in the classroom and felt like there was no time but the present to start the process of applying to and attending.
Why did you choose UCLA Anderson? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose UCLA Anderson because I value diversity and social impact and wanted to be at a school that held those same values. I knew I wanted to apply to b-school through the Consortium so Anderson piqued my interest early on and the fact that it is located so close to my family definitely added to the appeal. When I came for my in-person interview, I was pretty easily sold not only because of the current students and alumni who were running the event, but also because of the types of prospective students that Anderson attracts. I knew Anderson would prepare me with the academic and professional toolkit required to succeed post-MBA while promoting an extremely welcoming and warm culture that encourages students to work together and encourage each other without feeling overly competitive. We are all ambitious and hold ourselves to high expectations but also celebrate each other’s wins. My interactions with student organizations like Consortium, ALMA, Net Impact, and WBC all demonstrated to me that Anderson not only talks the talk of “shared success” but actually walks the walk. Receiving a Consortium Fellowship from Anderson was the cherry on top!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
My experience as an educator has really differentiated my mindset and approach to business school. I learned a lot of humility and adaptability working with teenagers, which has prepared me well for the constant change and reality checks that come with business school. You really have to have a growth mindset and be open to feedback as a teacher (from administration, colleagues, students, and parents). After spending all my teaching career working with primarily Latinx and future first-generation college students, I am always thinking about equity in whatever organizations I am navigating through in business school. Not to mention, I am obsessed with classic paper planners and all forms of organization to help manage my time and love to share those tools with my classmates!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love talking about astrology and all sorts of personality tests. It started off as a bit, but I really got into it and very much identify with my astrological chart (proud Taurus!). I don’t think it’s all factual, but it’s fun to talk about, and I oftentimes get to know a lot about people when I ask them about their sign and if they agree with the stereotypes associated with it. Myers Briggs, Enneagram, Big Five… I love them all!
Post-MBA career interests:
Management Consulting. I will be interning at Deloitte’s Los Angeles office in Summer 2025. I hope to eventually specialize in Higher Education consulting or any type of social impact-related consulting.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would talk to as many current students as possible and visit schools in person. You can learn a lot from admissions presentations and program websites but you really can’t identify what you do and do not like about a program until you’ve met people who will give you their honest opinions about their experiences and feel the program culture for yourself.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would spend more time refining my key stories for interviews before submitting. I think I would have had an easier time writing my essays if I had done this earlier so that I could identify what the common threads of motivations and interests were throughout my life and career.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped trying to force myself to be interested in a program because of rankings or prestige. There were a few programs I spent a lot of time engaging with despite a gut feeling that they were not the right fit for me simply because they were highly ranked. I created a spreadsheet and ranked all the programs I was considering based on my priorities (academic, professional, and personal) and was able to eliminate several options once I saw it all factually laid out in front of me.
What is your initial impression of the UCLA Anderson students/culture/community?
My initial impression of the Anderson community is that it’s extremely diverse in all aspects: career backgrounds, post-MBA career aspirations, hometowns, identities, and motivations for attending business school. I have not met a single person that I couldn’t sit down and have an interesting conversation with. It’s not in my nature to just talk to strangers but the overall inviting nature of the Anderson community makes it so easy to build strong connections with classmates quickly.
What is one thing you have learned about UCLA Anderson that has surprised you?
I’ve learned how much autonomy students have at Anderson. I was surprised at how much responsibility and decision-making power students have – especially through student-led organizations. It’s amazing to see the second years really lead our program through professional development and social events.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Juggling all the academic, professional, and social commitments. I want to be as engaged as possible but know that rest and time to myself is necessary to actually be fully present.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited for our Japan trip! I’ve never been to Asia and am excited to travel with Japanese students who organize the trip and can give us an authentic experience.
