UCLA Anderson’s Graduates Flock to Tech Hubs

What is it like to be an Anderson alumnus in the San Francisco Bay Area?

It’s fantastic to be an Anderson alumnus in the SF Bay Area. There are so many of us spanning so many classes, career paths and generations. For instance, I’m involved with an organization that brings together Anderson alumni and friends of UCLA to fund early-stage ventures, enabling me to cultivate personal and professional connections across a broad UCLA entrepreneurial community.

What can recent Anderson graduates newly working in the Bay Area expect from the alumni chapter?

Fun events, networking, advice, meeting other alumni from other class years and a chance to actively participate by leading or joining us for many events!

What excites you about the future of business in your region?

There is opportunity here. Tech and innovation draw talent to the Bay Area from all over the world. Dream it, and find like-minded people to build it, along with the communities around it.

What’s the must-see attraction in San Francisco and environs that tourists don’t know about?

Point Bonita Lighthouse across the Golden Gate Bridge.

What is it like to be an Anderson alumnus in Seattle?

Thanks to Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and Google, there is a strong network of alumni in tech. Plus, we’re on the West Coast so L.A. is an easy trip!

What can recent Anderson graduates newly working in Seattle expect from the alumni chapter?

Especially in big tech, you will find yourself bumping into Anderson alumni all the time! It’s great working with fellow Anderson alumni who share similar business principles.

What excites you about the future of business in your region?

Seattle is a world-leading technology hub. We are still in the early innings of digital transformation, not to mention AI transformation!

What’s the must-see attraction in Seattle that tourists don’t know about?

Seattle has so much to offer: great skiing is an hour away during the winter; incredible wineries have tastings in Woodinville, just outside the city; and spectacular sunsets in the San Juan islands are a ferry ride away.

What is it like to be an Anderson alumnus in New York?

On the East Coast, you have to be more assertive in being connected and open to networking with UCLA alumni outside of Anderson.

What can recent Anderson graduates newly working in NYC expect from the alumni chapter?

We hold several large events a year, like professor and dean visits, but hope to grow our programming to smaller, more frequent events.

What excites you about the future of business in your region?

New York is still the financial capital, but what that means may change. Innovations out of Chase, Citi and American Express may make the region a larger fintech player, and the movement by tech to make inroads into finance may create a catalyst for further tech job growth in the area. The New York City ecosystem is still attractive to many workers and industries, which creates opportunity for West Coast tech firms to continue to build their presence, like Google did in Chelsea Market.

What’s the must-see attraction in the five boroughs that tourists don’t know about?

I think Prospect Park in Brooklyn is the attraction tourists overlook. Take a trail in the park, see turtles swimming, see a waterfall. Then go eat at Smorgasburg and try cuisines from all around the world. In a city known for its grind, Prospect Park is a gem of tranquility.