2023 Best & Brightest Business Major: Priscilla Rosas Arteaga, U.C.-Berkeley (Haas)

Priscilla Rosas Arteaga

University of California-Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“A kind extravert who likes to help others with both their professional and academic pursuits.”

Fun fact about yourself: I am a second-degree black belt in taekwondo

Hometown: San Jose, CA

High School: Valley Christian High School

Major: Business Administration

Minor: NA

Favorite Business Course: UGBA 191P (Leadership and Personal Development)

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Director of Transfer Outreach for Haas Business School Association (HBSA), Mentor for Starting Point Mentorship Program (SPMP), Co-coordinator for Envision Haas

Where have you interned during your college career? Marketing Specialist Intern at Cisco (San Jose, Ca.)

Where will you be working after graduation? Cisco, Marketing Specialist

Who is your favorite business professor? One of my favorite business professors was Professor Ross, who teaches UGBA107, The Social, Political and Ethical Environment of Business. I not only enjoyed the class material, but he was a great lecturer and I loved the discussion facilitated by my GSI.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? One of the biggest lessons I’ve gained from studying business is to not compare yourself to others, especially when attending an academically rigorous university. Everyone is on their own journey and you should never belittle your accomplishments.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Networking opportunities are everywhere and you should never underestimate who is able and willing to help you.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I was surprised by the number of career paths available to individuals majoring in Business Administration.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? I wish I would have researched and prepared myself for the GMAT sooner. Don’t wait until your senior year.

What business leader do you admire most? I admire Barbara Corcoran because she is a woman succeeding in a male dominated industry.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? The extracurricular achievement I am most proud of is gaining the opportunity to serve as the Director of Transfer Outreach for HBSA, the Haas Business School Association. My mom has instilled in me a profound appreciation for education, which both motivated and inspired me to pursue higher education at an academically rigorous university. As a result, my aspiration to transfer to the Haas School of Business, while enrolled in community college, was fueled by this desire to challenge myself academically. During my time in community college, I received invaluable mentorship and support from a multitude of individuals, and their guidance played an integral role in my acceptance to UC Berkeley. This kindled my desire to pay it forward and help other students transfer to their dream university in pursuit of higher education. Thus, I was motivated to apply for the position of Director of Transfer Outreach, a role that empowers me to make critical resources accessible to potential Haas transfer students. I am immensely grateful to have the opportunity to assist others in their pursuit of higher education!

Which classmate do you most admire? I have immense admiration for my peer and fellow transfer student Mania Kazemi. Although we were not particularly close during our first year at UC Berkeley, we grew incredibly close during the summer before our senior year. Mania’s dedication to helping anyone and everyone who seeks her help is truly inspiring, and her academic achievements serve as a source of motivation. Her capacity for empathy stands out and her altruistic nature and genuine concern for the well-being of others has earned her the respect of many peers.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to express my deepest gratitude and attribute my success to my mom. She has been an unwavering pillar of support throughout my academic and professional journey, and her continuous encouragement has inspired me to strive for excellence in my pursuit of higher education. Furthermore, my mother is the driving force behind the numerous opportunities I have been fortunate enough to pursue thus far. Despite her humble beginnings as an immigrant from Mexico, she has achieved remarkable feats and provided me with every possible resource necessary to thrive. Therefore, I attribute all of my success to my mom, who continually motivates me to better myself and positively impact people around me.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The top two items on my professional bucket list include the attainment of my MBA and diversification of my job experience to make myself a more sought-after candidate in multiple industries. Acquiring my MBA has always been a personal ambition that I hold close to my heart. Not only would it equip me with the knowledge, skills and network needed to propel my career, but it would also play an instrumental role in realizing my second aspiration of diversifying my job experience. My desire to broaden my horizons stems from the realization that having experience in only one field can be limiting. I am eager to break into new industries. However, my current lack of professional exposure has presented me with significant hurdles. I firmly believe that this diversification can be achieved by leveraging the expertise of an MBA program or through the recruitment process. I remain hopeful that this pursuit will unlock new possibilities and enable me to explore diverse industries without any limitations.

What are your hobbies? Some of my hobbies include snowboarding, going to the beach, and traveling. While snowboarding is a relatively new passion of mine, I have become enamored with the sport and have every intention of continuing to pursue it in the future. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, driving to the beach served as a vital outlet for me, offering me an opportunity to reflect and enjoy nature while simultaneously enjoying solitude. Finally, traveling has always been an incredible source of inspiration and education for me. It provides me with the opportunity to immerse myself in different cultures and develop a deeper appreciation for different perspectives and ways of life around the world.

What made Priscilla such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2023?

“Priscilla is an invaluable addition to the Class of 2023 because of her commitment to living the Haas Defining Leadership Principles, especially Beyond Yourself. In her time at Haas, Priscilla has been a fierce advocate for transfer students like herself, who are an important and vibrant part of the Haas community. In this regard, Priscilla has gone above and beyond in terms of outreach and support of transfer applicants and transfer students at Haas. She has led the charge on our Envision Haas information sessions by organizing and facilitating the student panels and made herself available to mentor prospective transfer students on an individual basis. In addition to this, she has helped lead her team to execute a case competition and many application workshops for transfer students who otherwise may not have these kinds of opportunities or resources available to them. On top of all of this, Priscilla is such a positive force in our community, and always welcomes and brings her peers into the fold, making sure that they feel that they belong at Haas.”

Monique Ellis (she/her/hers)
Director of Admissions
Undergraduate Programs

DON’T MISS: 100 BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2023

Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.