Charles Zhang, Full-Time MBA ’10

Charles received a B.S. in Management Information Systems from Nankai University in China.

Why did you want to return to school and get an MBA?

Three reasons: to have new experiences, to enrich my life and finally, to empower myself to create my future.

Why did you choose the Rady School? Was there an advantage to obtaining your MBA in the U.S. rather than China?

As for why Rady, the answer is simple — its enormous potential. Like you would invest your money in the stock market or into real estate, in the hopes of good returns, you should put your money on the education that will yield the best outcome.

Why did I choose to come to the U.S.? In the current globalization 3.0 arena, organizations are competing in three key categories: innovation (like Apple’s iPhone in U.S.), cost (like China’s world-class manufacturing capability) and efficiency (like Japan’s Toyota or Korea’s Samsung). With my background from Asia, I am familiar with the importance of cost and efficiency, but hoping to learn more about innovation. That’s also why I am here at Rady, a school saturated with an incredible spirit of innovation.

You have a technology background with Cisco China and continued in that industry interning for Motorola. How have your interests and skill set changed since joining the Rady MBA program?

I would say my mindset and skill set have been overwhelmingly improved by lectures and case studies delivered by professors like Craig McKenzie, Thomas Roemer and Vish Krishnan. I was thrilled when Professor McKenzie who is teaching organizational strategy drew dots, lines and circles on the black board to explain organizational and human resource concepts. So far one of the biggest takeaways from Rady is learning how to connect the dots of resources, knowledge, people, ideas and or even time. This “think-big” mindset has greatly influenced me and is also being recognized by those in the local business community including Motorola.

What are your goals after graduation?

My dream is to drive the Rady Asia Alumni Association in the future and organize an enviable alumni gala dinner in Asia to invite top-notch faculty and staff who selflessly helped international students during our time at Rady.

Anything else you’d like to share?

For those who have a family and kids, I would strongly recommend San Diego — the finest city in the U.S. My life here is not just filled with classes, but also with many amusing outdoor activities.