Manali Chavan, UCI Paul Merage School of Business MBA Class of 2026
Age: 28
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Arizona State University, double major in business marketing and journalism
Pre-MBA Work Experience: SEO Analyst, Reprise Digital, 2 years; SEO Content Strategist, Meredith Corporation, 2 years; Content Manager, Primal Kitchen (KraftHeinz), 2 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I made the decision to attend business school after spending a few years working at a large food CPG company and noticing how intertwined various departments were with one another. I worked in marketing for one of our brands but often collaborated with R&D, sales, and even finance to bring successful products to market. Then, I joined a leadership program within my company where I got to see what it took to run an entire portfolio of brands. These experiences made me want to learn more about running a successful business and I felt I had enough work experience to really get the most out of attending business school.
Why did you choose UCI Merage? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose UCI Merage for a number of reasons. UCI is located in Irvine, California so we get all the benefits of being in Southern California but also get access to the OC’s thriving business community. UCI Merage also offers a wide array of opportunities, from pairing you with an executive mentor to sending you to business conferences to offering immersions in various specializations. However, one of the largest driving forces in choosing UCI Merage was the interaction I had with current students. From the moment I submitted my application to when I was interviewed to when I was sitting in orientation, there was always a current MBA student present and willing to provide support. That sense of community can be hard to find in a graduate program, so when I felt that at UCI, I knew this was where I wanted to spend the next two years.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
I have a lot of cross-collaboration experience and it’s been great getting to share that experience with my classmates. It’s very easy for me to see the importance of specialized roles, such as finance, as well as more general roles, such as product manager. I enjoy connecting the dots between different areas of a business and sharing moments from my pre-MBA experience where I saw it come into play.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I took some time off before my MBA to intern on a matcha farm in Wazuka, Japan.
Post-MBA career interests:
I’m planning on pursuing a role in marketing within the consumer product industry.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Attend MBA informational sessions and connect with current students.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Not focus too much on the quantitative (test scores, GPA, etc.) parts of my application and make sure I’m giving enough attention to the qualitative parts (essays, interviews, etc).
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Having doubt about applying! There are a lot of emotions that come with applying to business school, and I wish I spent less time thinking about what I was leaving behind and more time being excited about what was to come after my application. Business school is an investment in yourself!
What is your initial impression of the UCI Merage students/culture/community?
It’s fantastic! Everyone here is very welcoming and relatable. I felt very comfortable speaking with current students and getting to know my own cohort in these first few weeks. Because of our size, we’re a close-knit MBA class, and it’s refreshing to be able to know everyone in our program on a personal level.
What is one thing you have learned about UCI Merage that has surprised you?
We’re a school that’s open to new ideas and trying new things. Within the first few weeks of the semester, I’ve watched classmates enter case competitions in their spare time while others have talked about starting new clubs. It was surprising but wonderful to see how quickly everyone got involved and, on top of that, just how many opportunities UCI Merage has.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I’m anxious to return to being a student! I have to re-teach myself time management. My day-to-day looks a lot different than my WFH role pre-MBA. But I’m learning to love my electronic calendar and making sure I take this time to really soak up learning again.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most excited to learn and grow alongside my cohort. Everyone comes from different professional backgrounds and different cultures, but we’re all going through this journey together, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this next year takes all of us.
