Airleah Sivila
Ready for Future Career Pivot after Completing MBA from SJSU
San Jose native Airleah Sivila moved to Davis for college but returned to join the
staff at SJSU after graduation. She is currently an Admissions Evaluator for Undergraduate
Admissions and Outreach.
Where are you currently employed and what are your job responsibilities?
I'm an admissions evaluator for Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach at SJSU. I evaluate
academic transcripts for CSU and major program admission requirements to SJSU. Our
team evaluates around 10,000 files each fall and posts transfer credit and test scores
for admitted students as well. The best part of my job is interacting with students,
hearing about their journey to SJSU, and learning why they chose to be a Spartan.
What factors in career or life prompted you to seek a graduate degree?
Quite honestly, I did not have plans for graduate school as an undergraduate. I began
working at SJSU a few months after graduation and enjoyed being on a college campus
again. I worked in various offices in Enrollment Services for about 3 years before
considering the MBA. There is so much positive energy at our university, and by connecting
with the students we serve, I was excited to be a student again. The staff fee waiver
made pursuing a master's degree financially easier and I knew that the Early Career
MBA would offer more options in a future career.
Why did you choose this as your area of study?
I studied economics and politics for my bachelor's degree, so I initially considered
an MA in economics. Given my position at a state university, I also considered the
Masters in Public Administration before choosing the Early Career MBA. For the career
development and the opportunity to explore various areas of business for a future
career shift, the Early Career MBA was the best choice for me.
What do you plan to do with this degree?
My work experience has primarily been in higher education, but I am excited to make
a career pivot. Because I've worked in public administration a few years now, I'm
looking for an opportunity to grow my skill set in the business world. I love the
idea of working for a startup and the opportunity to experiment. I'm also open to
positions in a more corporate environment where I'd have the support of established
departments to build experience.
What skills or knowledge have you acquired through the Early Career MBA program at
SJSU that will help you achieve your goals?
Working full-time while pursuing my MBA has challenged me to work with a wide variety
of people and helped me manage time and prioritize more effectively. I also have a
greater curiosity and interest in different industries from reading case studies,
researching for projects, and simply from having conversations with classmates who
work or have an interest in these areas. Being interested in other industries and
knowledgeable about customer pain points often result in more creativity and innovation.
If you could turn back time and return to the first day you set foot the MBA program,
what would you tell your "younger" self to do?
I would be more confident in my contributions to class. Because my bachelor's degree
was not in business, learning so much new material, like accounting and finance, seemed
overwhelming at first. A great part of this program though has been working with classmates
who have helped me through challenging classes. We all have strengths and weaknesses
and take turns teaching and learning from each other.
I also wish I'd taken advantage of office hours more frequently or participated in the “Coffee with a Professor” program. There is a lot networking between classmates and there are many organized company visits or invited speakers to classes, but many of the professors or lecturers in the college have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share outside of class time.
What was the most valuable thing you gained from SJSU?
SJSU provides an incredible exposure to Silicon Valley through speakers, panels, and
visits -- all of which have been great networking opportunities. More than that, it's
inspiring to have successful alumni return as guest speakers and to have as instructors. I
think it speaks to the community and support of the LCOB and the entire university
to supply the area with talent and have so many of them come back to share their experiences with
current students. In my time as an employee and student here, I have certainly developed
a sense of Spartan Pride and am proud to be an MBA student at SJSU and be a part of
the LCOB.
What are your longer-term future career goals?
I took New Venture Finance as an elective last summer and have been inspired to start
a small business for myself someday. At this point, I'm not certain exactly what that
will entail, but I hope to have the time and financial freedom to evolve a passion
project into a career.
What advice would you give to individuals working full-time and considering returning
to SJSU for a graduate degree?
Returning to school to pursue a graduate degree can be an enriching experience both
personally and professionally. But, it is challenging to balance work, school, and
personal/family commitments so expect to make sacrifices. School will come before
work or family in some instances, and the reverse also holds true. Having the support
of family, friends, my supervisor, and colleagues has been key to finding this balance.