Your Next Career Move Could Start with a Conversation

Industry Networking Night brings graduate business students together with employers and alumni

Blog
October 26, 2026
Espy Foft

Two men shaking hands and smiling at a networking event. — Months after graduating, Roshan Paul MBA 25 (right), a systems analyst at Taylor Farms, returns to UC Davis as an employer representative and greets Master of Management student Ryan Lee.

When evaluating a graduate business program, consider who you’ll meet alongside what you’ll learn. Access to employers and alumni can help you explore industries, understand workplace expectations and identify where your experience could take you.

At the UC Davis Graduate School of Management’s inaugural Industry Networking Night, 62 students met representatives from 12 companies. Participating employers included Taylor Farms, Sakata Seed America, HM.CLAUSE, GALLO, Robert Half, SMUD and Sparkz.

Held in Gallagher Hall, the event welcomed students from the Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Online MBA and Master of Management programs. Four alumni participated as company representatives.

The GSM’s Career Development team hosted the evening, bringing together professionals from fields including food and agriculture, venture capital, recruiting and energy.

“Industry Networking Night brought students face-to-face with leading industry professionals and alumni across diverse sectors. By gathering top leaders and motivated students under one roof, the evening sparked dynamic conversations and created a vibrant environment where initial introductions turned into lasting connections."
— Angela Tom, Associate Director of Career Development

What Employers Value

Roshan Paul MBA 25, who joined Taylor Farms as a systems analyst shortly after graduation, returned to UC Davis to connect with current students.

“The people who stand out can take a messy operational problem, put a dollar figure on it, and explain it clearly to someone running a production floor,” Paul said.

Because those challenges often involve operations, IT, finance and production plants, working across teams matters just as much.

Paul credits his MBA with helping him translate technical analysis into business decisions. In his role, that means turning production data into clear metrics that help managers understand costs and decide what to do next.

Recognizing Transferable Skills

Students don’t need a food industry background to contribute at Taylor Farms, Paul explained. Experience managing complex processes, analyzing data or leading teams can translate into food production.

Employer conversations can help students recognize those transferable skills and consider opportunities they might otherwise overlook.

Paul said UC Davis students bring a practical, team-first approach. Alumni at Taylor Farms have also advocated for the program internally, helping expand the company’s connections with UC Davis graduates.

Looking Beyond the Classroom

For prospective MBA students, Paul recommends considering the relationships and practical experiences a program offers.

“Look at who the program connects you to. The network, the projects with real companies, and the people in your cohort end up mattering as much as the coursework.”
— Roshan Paul MBA 25, Systems Analyst, Taylor Farms

Industry Networking Night gave students a chance to explore those connections firsthand—asking employers what they value and discovering how their skills could support a their next career step.