Amy Asare, Full-Time MBA ’10

Amy received an A.B. in Environmental Science & Public Policy from Harvard University.

Why did you want to return to school to get your MBA?

I was ready to make a change. I worked as a research assistant and program coordinator at a hospital after finishing my undergraduate degree at Harvard. Shortly after, I transitioned into the fitness industry. After a couple of years of working in sales and management in the fitness industry, I knew I was ready to change career paths. I wanted to move back into health care, on the business side, and I thought that I would be much more valuable with my graduate degree. I contemplated getting a master’s in public health, but decided that an MBA was the best choice for me because it would give me a diverse range of skills that would help me in the future whether I decided to follow through with my plan to build a career in health care or to change paths.

Why did you choose the Rady School?

The fact that Rady was a small, new program that was committed to being recognized as a great program appealed to me. It was an exciting opportunity to be a part of something at the ground floor and help shape the culture and the experience along the way. I wasn’t exactly sure how I would get involved, but I knew that I’d find a way to make a contribution. I was also attracted to Rady’s focus on health/life sciences.

What is your role in the Rady Student Board and how does it impact your MBA experience?

During my first year, I was elected as a first year representative on the Rady Student Board (RSB). As a first year rep, I got an inside view of how RSB works and I participated in the decision making process. I gained an understanding of some of the opportunities and challenges that RSB faces. In addition to RSB, I served as a representative in UCSD’s Graduate Student Association and those meetings gave me some useful insight on how the university works. My current position in RSB is chief operations officer. Being part of RSB has allowed me to interact regularly with the MBA Programs staff and other members of the administration. It has given me unique opportunities to connect with second year students and alumni that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. And lastly, it has made me much more aware of the big picture at Rady — where we are now and where we are headed. I’m committed to the work I do for RSB and I’m excited to see what we accomplish this year.

You are currently interning at Genzyme, will you stay in biotech after your MBA? Is this an interest you had before Rady?

I’m not yet sure if the biotech industry is what I will choose post–MBA. I recently started my internship and love it so far but I’d like to take this year to further explore the biotech field through continuing my internship part–time, taking biotech–related electives and participating in independent study projects.

I was not familiar with the biotech industry prior to Rady. I came to Rady with the intention of working for a healthcare organization or a healthcare consulting firm post–MBA. Rady’s deep connections with local biotech companies, my classmates’ experiences and enthusiasm for the industry and some of the speakers we’ve had on campus prompted me to explore this industry.