Jesus Gonzalez (MSBA ’24)
Jesus Gonzalez
From Military Service to Data-Driven Leadership: Jesus Gonzalez’s Journey at Rady and Beyond
Before enrolling at Rady, Jesus Gonzalez (MSBA ’24) served for eight years in the U.S. Air Force. Primarily stationed in Germany with the 1st Combat Communications Squadron, Jesus focused on deploying secure communications across the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa. As a non-commissioned officer, Gonzalez led teams in high-pressure environments — an experience that honed his leadership, communication and organizational skills.
“I developed a lot of expertise in the military,” Gonzalez shares. “Handling complex operations in remote environments required strategic thinking and efficient resource management. These skills translated well when I transitioned to a civilian career.”
After leaving the Air Force, Gonzalez landed at PlayStation in Rancho Bernardo, California, where he joined a team of analytics engineers working to implement the Adobe Experience Platform across PlayStation’s player experiences and devices.
It was at PlayStation that Gonzalez realized his desire to deepen his technical expertise, and gain a deeper knowledge of business analytics. He knew the next step was to pursue a master’s degree that would set him up for long-term success.
Why Rady? The Perfect Intersection of Business and Tech
The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program at Rady stood out to Gonzalez for several reasons. First, he was drawn to Rady’s strong reputation within the University of California school system. Second, he knew the benefits that come from the STEM designation of the MSBA program — particularly in an increasingly global working environment. And, he knew the Rady MSBA program offered a unique approach to combining technical skills with business strategy.
“I wanted a program that could help me develop more technical expertise while still offering a big-picture perspective on how those skills integrate into broader business contexts,” Gonzalez explains. “Rady fit that niche perfectly.”
He was happy to find the process of applying and enrolling to be fairly seamless. Throughout the process, Gonzalez received help from the Veteran Affairs Office (VAO) at UC San Diego. “I am grateful to the VAO, particularly Jay Nelson, who was incredibly helpful in navigating the administrative aspects of transitioning to graduate school,” says Gonzalez.
Rigorous Program, and Supportive Community, a Recipe for Long-Term Impact
Once at Rady, it didn’t take long for Gonzalez to start seeing the benefits of the program. He credits his Rady experience with providing that technical foundation and strategic perspective he had been seeking, both of which were essential in his role as a technical program manager at PlayStation. Before long, he was already leveraging what he was learning — the skills and insights he gained at Rady allowed him to bridge the gap between data and actionable business outcomes — a skillset he began using right away, and still uses daily in his work.
And while the rigor of Rady’s MSBA program, combined with the benefits available to veterans at the VAO office were important, Gonzalez was also excited to experience Rady’s campus culture. He found many opportunities — both inside and outside of the classroom — to build a strong network. The school’s “wings and beers” networking events, for example, provided an informal setting to build lasting connections with his fellow classmates. Gonzalez credits much of his success at Rady in building those relationships to the culture itself.
“If you put yourself out there and engage with others, the connections you can make are invaluable.”
With so many opportunities to network and forge friendships, Gonzalez said it was critical to fully embrace the academic challenges, while balancing social time. “My advice to prospective students? Focus on absorbing as much as you can, and establish a study rhythm early on. It makes all the difference,” he says, “while allowing you much-needed time to network.”
What’s Next on the Horizon
Recently, Gonzalez accepted an exciting opportunity as a senior engineering program manager at Apple, where he continues to apply the principles and knowledge he gained at Rady. As he looks to the future, he remains committed to growing in data-driven program management and expanding his influence in the tech industry.
“The Rady experience truly gave me the technical knowledge and strategic mindset to excel,” he says. “I am able to navigate my organization more effectively and contribute to its strategic goals, using data-driven insights. The program provided the foundation for the next phase of my career, as I continue to grow and take on more leadership responsibilities.”
Learn more about the MSBA Program, Life at Rady, Active-Duty Military and Veterans at Rady, and the UC San Diego Student Veteran’s Resource Center.
