From Media to Entrepreneurship

My professional background has always been closely connected to the media. For more than 10 years, I built my career in journalism, having earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in strategic communications from Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Media was not just my job; it was the foundation of my professional identity.

However, I always had a strong desire to build something of my own. For many years, I dreamed of launching a media business, but I realized that motivation alone was not enough. I needed a structured understanding of business fundamentals and a clear framework for turning an idea into a real project. That is what led me to the Professional Diploma Programs in Business Administration (Fall 2025) and Entrepreneurship (Spring 2026) at Berkeley Global.

While exploring different educational opportunities, I discovered the PDP in Business Administration and the PDP in Entrepreneurship at UC Berkeley Global. 

The curriculum for both programs immediately stood out to me because it included exactly the topics I was looking for: economics, business planning, prototyping, organization and management, and other key subjects essential for building a strong business foundation.

What made the programs even more appealing was the opportunity to learn from instructors with real Silicon Valley experience. For me, learning directly from professionals who understand business from the inside is one of the most valuable advantages an educational program can offer.

I came to Berkeley from Cyprus, and from the moment I arrived I felt inspired. 

The campus atmosphere was vibrant and energetic. It truly felt like being part of a student community again. Beyond academics, the experience was filled with motivation, excitement and a strong sense of possibility.

The programs fully met my expectations and, in many ways, exceeded them. I gained a strong foundation in business disciplines such as economics, marketing and risk management. But what made the experience truly exceptional was the practical knowledge shared by the instructors. Many of them have worked, or continue to work, at major Silicon Valley companies, and they brought real-world insights, strategies and professional perspectives into every lesson.

One of the instructors had worked directly with Steve Jobs, which made it a unique opportunity to learn about the management insights of the legendary creator of the iPhone. In addition, we had guest lectures where startup founders and business coaches shared the latest trends from Silicon Valley and talked about cutting-edge technologies like vibe coding and AI-agents.

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By the end of the programs, I achieved much more than academic progress. 

I developed not only a business idea, but a structured business plan, a pitch deck and an MVP concept, along with a clear understanding of how to move forward. I also gained a realistic perspective on what it takes to prepare a project for future opportunities such as accelerators. It was especially motivating to learn about Berkeley SkyDeck, UC Berkeley’s startup accelerator, which reflects the university’s strong connection to innovation and entrepreneurship.

Another key highlight of my experience was the level of support I received from the instructors. They guided me through the process, helped me identify weak points and challenged me to think more strategically. They provided detailed feedback, encouraged iteration and supported every pivot with professionalism and patience. Their involvement made the learning experience highly personal and extremely effective.

What I appreciated most was the balance between academic structure and practical application. The programs delivered essential business knowledge that every entrepreneur needs, while also teaching how to apply that knowledge in real scenarios. Instead of only studying case examples, we were actively building our own projects, analyzing our own strategies and making real decisions based on what we learned.

In addition, the flexible schedule allowed me to explore the broader Bay Area ecosystem.

During my free time, I attended professional events in San Francisco, where I met people working at some of the world’s leading technology companies such as Google, Apple and Meta. These conversations and connections gave me a deeper understanding of the innovation culture that makes Silicon Valley unique.

The student community at Berkeley Global was also an important part of my journey. I studied alongside ambitious and motivated young people, including international students from all over the world, local professionals and even Cal athletes. Many were building their own startups, while others were expanding their knowledge to grow professionally or shift into new career paths. This diverse and inspiring environment made the program even more meaningful.

Overall, my experience at UC Berkeley Global has been truly transformative. 

It expanded the way I think, strengthened my confidence, and provided both the academic foundation and practical tools I needed to move forward. Today, I feel prepared not only to understand business concepts, but to apply them in practice and build something real.

Now I look ahead with excitement and curiosity. I am open to new opportunities, new challenges and the next chapter of my professional journey, and I am grateful that the Professional Diploma Programs at Berkeley Global became such an important part of that path.