Alex's Story
Tell us about yourself.
I’m Alex Berberian; an electric utility planner by day and full-time Class of 2020 MBA student by night. I graduated from Cal Poly Pomona summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Management & Human Resources in 2017. During my time as an undergraduate, I held a leadership position within the Multi-Cultural Council, joined the Kellogg Honors College, and received the President's Council Scholarship.
From the start, it seemed like my academic and career journeys were intertwined as I balanced both my professional and educational duties throughout my time at Cal Poly. I was a junior at CPP when I attended my first Spring Career Fair. As I lugged around my stack of resumes while wearing a suit in the picturesque yet warm SoCal sun, I came across numerous familiar names, notably Southern California Edison. Driven by a desire to apply all that I had learned to power the future, I applied for an internship and was hired on as a year-round professional trainee within the contract management function.
It was a proud moment to learn that many of my peers in the internship program were also Cal Poly students that represented a variety of majors from business to engineering.
Shortly prior to graduating, I began my full-time career in the company as a Real Estate & Facilities Associate Specialist. Within this role, I worked to safeguard the land rights for right-of-way corridors that support the electric grid along with a secondary land use program that enables community stakeholders to utilize properties for recreational and entrepreneurial endeavors. To continuously improve and excel in this position, I pursued and obtained certification from the International Right of Way Association as a Right of Way Agent in addition to the Certified Associate in Project Management from the Project Management Institute, thereby complementing my real estate license and increasing my proficiency in the field.
Given the vast operations of SCE and my desire to learn more about the core business of a utility, I enrolled in the Utility Planner program offered by Cal Poly’s College of the Extended University.
As such, it’s almost as if I never really left campus, since I thereafter matriculated into the AACSB-accredited MBA program in 2018. The nighttime classes at Gregoire Hall were just a quick (and carbon-free) bicycle ride away from my workplace at the Innovation Village Business & Research Park, which hosts corporate partners Southern California Edison and the American Red Cross.
About mid-way through the MBA program, I was promoted to Planning Specialist and now contribute to our clean energy future by designing and managing electric grid construction projects.
In my free time, I enjoy playing nuevo-flamenco on guitar, classical and original compositions on piano, and cycling in the great outdoors.
What interests and excites you about business?
I believe the most intriguing aspect of business is the creation of value by meeting a need. Business is all around us, from healthcare and housing to music. We all rely on organizations to deliver the products and services required to power society and to do so effectively, efficiently and ethically.
It’s very exciting to play a role in that dynamic process of exchange. Whether it’s improving how something has always been done, solving a problem, or identifying a new need that can be fulfilled, I am energized by the opportunity to make a difference and create mutual benefit.
Tell us about your experience in the MBA program.
Having undergone both undergraduate and extended university studies at Cal Poly, I was convinced that the MBA program would also be well planned and executed. Not surprisingly, it was an amazing experience full of learning, flexibility, and camaraderie.
In line with Cal Poly’s philosophy of “learn by doing”, the graduate business curriculum heavily emphasized the importance of the application of knowledge and concepts through the use of case studies from Harvard Business Publishing and team projects that modeled initiatives likely to be encountered in the workplace.
Countless opportunities were provided to practice and improve public speaking, research, writing, and analysis skills through the exploration of all facets of a business from strategy to finance.
The professors are not only accomplished academics, but also industry experts that brought concepts to life by incorporating real-world examples into lectures and assignments.
Networking activities encouraged the diverse student population to interface with each other, discover the numerous industries represented in the cohort, and connect beyond the classroom.
Also, many of the courses were offered in a hybrid-online format which promoted work-life balance while ensuring ample interpersonal interaction to foster teamwork and networking.
What strengths/skills have you gained from the program and taken back to work?
By engaging in team projects as part of the program, I improved my collaboration, time, and project management skills. Whether it was creating a project plan, strategy, or schedule, the MBA program tested and bolstered my ability to perform as a member of a high-performing team through practice and feedback.
As a result of each final project, I exercised leadership in a safe and collaborative environment. This further enhanced my understanding of leadership as an act driven by positive influence and expertise irrespective of title, which led me to tackle a process improvement project at work and witness real results.
Managing competing academic deadlines with professional and family responsibilities provided an opportunity to improve my work ethic and find a way to achieve more in the same amount of time. At one point in the program, I was training and being tested for my new position at work while taking a full load of classes. Although it proved to be very challenging initially, I learned to adapt and successfully completed both objectives.
Also, by regularly brainstorming solutions for projects as a team, I became well-versed in the process of initiating a discussion, actively listening to different perspectives, and creatively approaching problems.
An unforgettable experience was utilizing my enhanced presentation and analysis skills as Professor for a Day for an undergraduate management course. Teaching others not only reinforced the material at hand but also improved my ability to empathize and communicate to ensure understanding; skills that I use in my profession nearly every day.
What is your future goal?
I aspire to use the skills acquired through the MBA program to undertake more responsibility within my organization by leading initiatives, projects, and teams to deliver increased value. Furthermore, I plan to teach an introductory business course as adjunct faculty to pay forward the education I have received.
Do you have any advice for future MBA students?
In addition to learning from the formal instruction component of the program, I would recommend that future MBA students take time to converse with classmates as it is surprising how much can be learned from peers with various experiences and backgrounds. Furthermore, the professors can serve as mentors and valued advisors long after the completion of the degree. Many of them will gladly provide their contact information so they can assist with career-specific questions.
I believe a new student’s status as an “MBA Candidate” serves as the ideal introduction to making new connections either through LinkedIn or in-person. In my experience, most people are willing to take the time to answer any questions about an industry, department, or position when asked.
In addition to focusing on coursework and staying organized, taking advantage of the various resources offered by Cal Poly such as industry-grade software, guest speakers and LinkedIn Learning courses can provide further value and growth.
Finally, exploring Cal Poly Pomona’s beautiful campus is one of the many benefits of being a student and a great way to break from studying. Make sure to check out the Rose Garden, hike up the Voorhis Ecological Reserve, and enjoy CPP’s Rainforest Learning Center!