Naavica Reddy

Naavica Reddy came to Cal Poly with a clear goal: to broaden her skills and explore opportunities beyond her undergraduate background in Bioengineering. Drawn by Cal Poly’s strong reputation and its Learn by Doing philosophy, she found the MBA program uniquely positioned to help her transition into new career paths.

“I had heard great things about both the Business and Engineering programs,” Naavica said. “Cal Poly’s motto of Learn by Doing set it apart from other programs, and I knew this was where I wanted to grow.”

During her MBA, Naavica gained invaluable experience working as a graduate researcher for the Orfalea School of Business. Her role focused on studying incubators across universities to uncover the factors behind successful startup accelerators. This introduction to the startup world not only sharpened her analytical skills but also gave her firsthand exposure to working with early-stage companies.

Among her academic highlights, two courses stood out. Negotiations gave her practical skills for navigating professional and personal scenarios. “We simulated real-world negotiation scenarios, which helped me develop a vital skillset for my career and daily life,” she explained. She also enjoyed Marketing Management, where she partnered with a startup to evaluate their business strategy and recommend actionable solutions. “It was a great learning experience because we applied our findings directly to a real client’s challenges.”

Beyond the classroom, the MBA program left a personal mark on Naavica. She formed close friendships that have endured beyond graduation. “Some of my best friends came from this program,” she shared, emphasizing how these relationships shaped her journey.

Naavica’s advice for students entering the program is simple but powerful: “Take this time to understand what you truly enjoy doing. Being self-aware will help you decide how to make the most of your MBA.”

Today, Naavica works as a product manager, applying the skills she honed at Cal Poly. Looking to the future, she hopes to launch her own company and solve a universal problem yet to be addressed.

This profile was published in the Winter of 2024.