I’m an international student from El Salvador who has been studying business.
Before coming to UC Berkeley Extension, I finished my bachelor’s degree in business administration at Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas. Then I did two certificates—one in business and another in marketing—at UC Irvine Extension. After that, I was accepted into the M.B.A. program at National University in San Diego and then did Optional Practical Training as a project engineer at M Bar C Construction in San Marco, Calif.
I learned many things working as a project engineer and became interested in the work that is performed by project managers. So after concluding my year of OPT, I decided to keep improving myself with more studies and found the Project Management certificate at UC Berkeley Extension. It had exactly what I was looking for.
I had great interactions with the very professional instructors and with other students who had many different and interesting backgrounds in several important industries.
Everything I’ve done so far and what I’m studying now is related to managing businesses, which is what I’m passionate about. For this reason, the Project Management certificate was excellent because classes were taught by instructors who had the opportunity to work as managers and lead people in order to accomplish projects. They shared their experiences and knowledge.
I had great interactions with the very professional instructors and with other students who had many different and interesting backgrounds in several important industries. It was an opportunity that was very rewarding and not one that many people have.
I also liked that the schedule and classes were flexible; it was very convenient because I could choose what was best for my schedule. I would highlight and recommend professor Li Fong. I took her Project Execution and Control class and she was brilliant. She has so much knowledge and inspires you to not only be a better professional, but a better person in general. She has so much energy, and her classes are very entertaining.
I would recommend the Project Management certificate because you gain very valuable knowledge, as well as have interactions and connections with amazing people.
Due to the nature of the Project Management certificate, I was also able to complete the Project Human Resource Management and the Agile Management programs, which were great complements to the Project Management certificate. I learned to adapt to different situations and understand the best way to interact with teams within and outside a company—to be a leader.
I would recommend the Project Management certificate to anyone who is interested in this professional area because you gain very valuable knowledge, as well as have interactions and connections with amazing people.
Before finishing the Project Management certificate, I thought it was very important to understand the financial side of any company, even if I was not working directly in a financial position. So I started the Financial Planning and Analysis certificate and am expecting to finish it in August 2019.
This certificate completes everything I have studied so far because, in my opinion, the three big spheres that help you understand and manage a business are:
- marketing
- finance/accounting
- project management
For me, it is key to understand these three areas in order to be a better business owner, CEO or any other position I could have within a company.
So far, it has been a really challenging but brilliant experience. Just like the Project Management certificate, the Financial Planning and Analysis certificate has remarkable teachers and students, and there is so much valuable information to learn.
After completing this program, I will return back home and try to start my own business. This is why all of the different education I have received from UC Berkeley Extension will be so important.
I was blessed with a scholarship to help me complete the Financial Planning and Analysis certificate. This was such a surprise for me because I knew many people had applied for the scholarships and I was one of the few chosen. It was of great joy to me and it was also very beneficial. Life in the Bay Area as a student can get very pricey and this award helps a lot. Also, as an international student, it is difficult to find legal ways to pay for higher education.
After completing this program, I will return back home and try to start my own business—maybe in the renewable-energy industry. This is why all of the different education I have received from UC Berkeley Extension will be so important.
The Project Management certificate will help me manage and lead employees. The Financial Planning and Analysis certificate will help me make the right finance decisions in order to have a financially healthy business.
I will be able to materialize everything I have learned and hopefully see that business grow over the next several years.
