SDSU Alumnae Share Value of Fowler MBA

The Master of Business Administration at San Diego State University offers a flexible, hands-on learning experience, with a full range of specializations, allowing students the opportunity to customize their MBA while getting real-world experience. 

The Fowler College of Business part-time MBA program maintained a five-year climb in annual graduate-school rankings, most recently named #53 overall, #34 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report, 2022.

Two SDSU MBA alumnae, Agnes Macahilas, MBA ‘20, and Samantha Jacobs, MBA ‘20, share why they pursued their graduate degrees at SDSU's Fowler College of Business and how their experiences impacted their personal and professional growth. 

Q&A With MBA Alumnae

Agnes Macahilas, MBA ‘20

Field and Sales Marketing Representative for Techtronic Industries (TTI)

Q&A

Q: Why did you choose to attend SDSU's Fowler College of Business? 

I chose to attend SDSU's Fowler College of Business because I valued and enjoyed my undergraduate education in the same college and desired to push myself into achieving an MBA in a different field of business. The community and expertise that the SDSU Fowler College of Business faculty and students share were very empowering to be a part of. Also, the variety of courses and options for specializations offered by the MBA Program and strong alumni network was very appealing.

Q: Did any notable faculty members and/or classes make a lasting impact on your career? 

I will always remember Professor Copic's Strategic Brand Management and Professor Gonzalez's Sales Management courses because of the insightful and fun class discussions and case studies we experienced. Professor Copic was so passionate about sharing his Brand Management lessons and provided awesome guest lecturers who shared their valuable experiences in their professional life. Professor Gonzalez was generous in sharing his business experience in sales and always challenged us, students, to participate in class discussions with our thoughts and opinions, which ultimately helped us grow and learn more.

Q: Why is a Graduate degree valuable to you?

A Graduate degree is valuable to me because it allows for tremendous personal and professional growth as an individual and guides you to more doors to open in your career path. Further education was a goal I strived for even before college and it is something I will always be proud of accomplishing. SDSU's MBA Program has introduced me to a new career field in Marketing that I enjoy and amazing colleagues and faculty along the way.

Q: What's one piece of advice you would give to our current students?

Graduate school is what you make of it! What really helped me fully experience the rigorous courses was that grades did not matter as much as I thought and that networking and connecting with others in and out of the classroom was critical to my success. Trying your best in your courses is still important; however, do not lose sight of the bigger picture when it comes to your professional and personal goals.

Samantha Jacobs, MBA ‘20

Recruiting Consultant (Arizona/New Mexico/El Paso/San Diego), Colonial Life

Q&A

Q: Why did you choose to attend SDSU's Fowler College of Business? 

I chose SDSU's MBA program because I was looking for a program that would offer me the flexibility to work full-time while still having the ability to pursue my master’s degree.  I wanted a program that had several specializations to choose from since I was still deciding what I wanted my career to look like.

Q: Did any notable faculty members and/or classes make a lasting impact on your career? 

Miro Copic (Marketing) & Brent Bolton (Operations). Professor Bolton & Professor Copic spoke a lot about their own personal experiences and would bring in guest speakers to share their experiences, as well.  While I am not in marketing or operations, I enjoyed hearing from people who are leaders in their field and how they've overcome their own challenges.

Q: Why is a Graduate degree valuable to you?

I've always wanted to get into leadership and as a female in a male-dominated industry, I felt it was important to do whatever I could to elevate myself in the workplace.  By obtaining my MBA, I've proven to my current and prospective employers that I am willing to put in the work to advance myself personally and professionally.

Q: What's one piece of advice you would give to our current students?

Take advantage of the abundance of resources SDSU has available.  Whether it is reaching out to an advisor, getting involved in a school organization, or attending one of the many campus-sponsored events, there are so many ways for you to expand your network and get involved throughout your experience.  I was part of the founding group for SDSU NAWMBA and made some valuable connections that have helped me grow professionally, even after I have graduated.