Why I Chose UC Davis as a First-Gen, Creative Entrepreneur

Image

I am the daughter of Mexican immigrant farmworkers who only had a third-grade education. We traveled between California and Arizona following seasonal crops. We moved every six months until I was in high school. 

Statistics show that first-generation students from migrant farmworker families face significant barriers to higher education, but my passion for learning pushed me to go further than anyone else in my family. 

My educational journey has been anything but traditional. It has been shaped by hardships, setbacks and moments of growth that ultimately led me to complete my bachelor’s degrees in political science and Chicano/a studies at UCLA. I was the first to receive a college degree in my family—but not the last! 

Being the first to graduate college made me pause and ask what was next, and every path pointed toward the UC Davis Graduate School of Management.

Image

Why I Chose a UC Davis Part-Time MBA

As a photographer and owner of Melissa Robinson Photo, as well as an adjunct assistant professor of photography at Sacramento City College, I’m constantly looking for ways to evolve. 

The photography industry is changing quickly, and staying competitive means being willing to adapt. Pursuing an MBA is another tool that helps me grow in an ever-shifting creative and business landscape.

When I shared with friends and family that I planned to earn an MBA, many were surprised—after all, I’m a creative. But to me, that’s exactly the point. 

Expanding my business knowledge doesn’t take me away from my creative craft; it strengthens it. An MBA makes me more marketable across industries while giving me the skills to scale my photography business to the next level. 

It also opens doors to meaningful relationships and opportunities that reach far beyond the traditional creative world. In photography, growth is essential. In business, it’s the same. This program lets me bring both together.

After completing just one quarter in the Sacramento Part-Time MBA program, I’m already seeing the impact. In a recent interview, I confidently explained how my new data analysis skills could support the company—and the interviewer was so impressed I became their top candidate. One quarter—one!

This experience showed me how immediately applicable this degree is to my career and how much more I’m capable of learning.

Image

How the UC Davis MBA Is Already Changing My Business

The class, Data Analysis for Managers, has transformed how I approach my photography business. Before, I relied on intuition and simple formulas. Now, I can forecast future sales and expenses using historical data, identify trends and streamline costs with actual financial insight. It has opened my eyes to the possibilities and real potential for long-term growth.

I’m also starting to apply operations and strategy concepts to client work, giving me a more analytical edge when discussing pricing, timelines and project scopes. These aren’t abstract theories; they are tools I am using right now to improve my business and serve my clients more effectively.

Finding Community at UC Davis

From the moment I stepped onto the UC Davis campus, I felt a sense of community and belonging. That feeling made the transition into graduate school far more manageable as I juggled roles.

The Sacramento Part-Time MBA program felt like the perfect fit not only because of its nights and weekends schedule, but because its format aligned with my busy life as a parent, business owner, employee and active community member.

The hybrid schedule offers the schedule I need, and the in-person meetings at Aggie Square are the cherry on top. They’ve helped me learn alongside my peers, make meaningful connections and collaborate with people far beyond my creative field.

If you are considering your next career step, I highly recommend the UC Davis Part-Time MBA program. It’s built to fit the real-world schedule of a working professional earning a degree.

As a mother, I was afraid that the workload would interfere with my ability to be a present parent, but then I considered the opportunities that this degree will open for my daughter and me and I know it will be worth it in the end.

I look forward to graduating in 2028 and having my daughter bear witness to all my hard work, making sure that I lay a strong new foundation and pave a way for her to run further!