Oke Bamgbose
Oke Bamgbose (’22)
Los Angeles, CA
Congratulations on your graduation! What’s next?
I’ll be joining Microsoft as a product marketing manager, working remotely based in Los Angeles! Through their OnRamp program, I’ll join a cohort of other MBA grads and participate in three different rotations over the next 12 months across the core PMM functions such as product marketing, business planning and integrated marketing.
When you started at Anderson two years ago, what was your plan?
I wanted to explore opportunities in marketing, technology and entrepreneurship within both the startup and big tech spaces to get diverse experiences. I was also excited to expand my professional network in Los Angeles. As a native Angeleno, I knew I wanted to continue my career in the area, and having the ability to create connections with classmates across different industries and functions within the same city made me interested in possible future collaborations.
Was there a class, experience or involvement opportunity that was a highlight during your time at Anderson?
Serving as a Parker Career Management Center TA gave me the opportunity to play a part in helping the first-year class find success in their business school and recruiting experiences. Through small group sessions, office hours and coffee chats, I got to know many of them personally and share knowledge I had received from others. The highlight was hearing their updates about receiving offers from dream companies, or learning that some piece of guidance I had shared with them made a difference.
What lesson or piece of knowledge you learned at Anderson has stuck with you, as part of personal and professional life today?
One of my favorite quotes is American poet Suzy Kassem’s “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” I think this aligns well with being taught to “think fearlessly” at Anderson. I was able to challenge myself professionally, socially and academically in an environment that was supportive and encouraging. Those experiences bolstered my confidence to take on new goals and overcome future challenges in all aspects of life.
What do you think makes Anderson different from other business schools?
I love that Anderson is a very student-driven program, where individuals can create initiatives with support from the administration to improve areas that add value to the Anderson community. This creates an inclusive and mutually beneficial culture in which everyone can succeed. It also shows that Anderson students are agile and quick to adapt to different situations —we were able to make the most out of our largely virtual experience in unique and creative ways.