From UCR Finance to Senior UX Designer at ByteDance: My Cross-Disciplinary Career Journey

My name is Dorothy Chen.

I studied Business Administration as an undergraduate before continuing my education in the United States. I enrolled in the Master of Finance program at the University of California, Riverside’s A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management.

I later became a Senior UX Designer at ByteDance.

Looking back, the greatest value of my experience at UCR AGSM was not limited to gaining financial knowledge. The program also helped me develop an interdisciplinary perspective and gradually identify a career path that suited my interests and strengths.

Why I Chose the UCR Master of Finance

When selecting a graduate school, I wanted a program that combined academic depth with meaningful connections to professional development.

Discovering UCR Through an Exchange Program

During the final year of my undergraduate studies, I participated in an exchange program at University of California, Riverside Extension.

That experience gave me my first opportunity to understand UCR’s campus environment, teaching style, and student community. The campus, supportive professors, and motivated students all left a strong impression on me.

When I later considered where to pursue graduate study, I decided to return to UCR and enroll in the AGSM Master of Finance program.

Connecting Finance with Practical Applications

During my studies at UCR AGSM, I found that the program emphasized not only financial theory but also the application of knowledge in real business environments.

The professors had extensive professional backgrounds and were willing to support students with both academic questions and career planning.

This practical and interactive approach helped me develop a deeper understanding of the business reasoning behind financial concepts.

Working as a Teaching Assistant

While studying at UCR AGSM, I worked as a graduate Teaching Assistant. The experience helped me grow both academically and professionally.

Understanding American Teaching Methods

As a TA, I regularly communicated with the professor responsible for the course.

By assisting with class-related work, I gained a better understanding of how courses are designed and delivered at an American university. I also learned more about how professors approach knowledge sharing and student development.

Strengthening My Knowledge Through Teaching

During office hours, I helped students from different countries work through academic questions.

Explaining course material to others required me to review and reorganize my own understanding. The experience reinforced my financial knowledge while strengthening my cross-cultural communication skills.

Gaining My First On-Campus Work Experience

For an international student, working as a TA was not only an opportunity to gain on-campus experience. It also gave me a sense of accomplishment from earning income through my own effort.

From Finance to UX Design

Many people assume that a Master of Finance graduate should pursue a traditional financial career.

My career, however, did not follow a single path. Instead, I explored different possibilities and looked for work that genuinely interested me.

Moving Beyond Academic Labels

During graduate school, I gradually developed an interest in internet products and User Experience Design.

When I began searching for jobs after graduation, I decided to move beyond traditional finance positions and explore opportunities in digital product design.

At the beginning of this transition, I faced competition from applicants with backgrounds in Computer Science and design. As I learned more about the UX industry, however, I realized that the field is inherently interdisciplinary.

Turning My Business Background into an Advantage

My finance education was not a limitation. It became a competitive advantage.

In UX design, I could combine:

• Business thinking

• Financial analysis

• Data analysis

These capabilities allowed me to evaluate products from the perspectives of both business value and user needs. They also helped me develop a skill set that differed from those of candidates with purely design-oriented backgrounds.

Applying a Cross-Cultural Perspective

Studying and living in the United States also helped me develop a more international perspective.

When working with cross-cultural teams and supporting international business scenarios, my language skills and understanding of different cultures became additional professional strengths.

Career Advice for UCR AGSM Students

Use Internships to Explore Industries

Students preparing for employment should focus on more than academic performance. Internships are also important.

An internship can help you understand how an industry operates while allowing you to identify the types of work that genuinely interest you.

During each internship, reflect on what you have learned and consider how you can present your practical contributions as evidence of your abilities on future job applications.

Tailor Your Résumé to Each Job

Résumé alignment is essential during the recruitment process.

Different companies and positions have different requirements. Applicants should adjust their résumé and cover letter according to the Job Description (JD) for each target role.

Rather than simply listing your experience, ask yourself:

“How can my skills help solve the problems associated with this position?”

Answering this question can make your application more relevant to the employer’s needs.

Building Connections at UCR

Graduate school is not only a period for developing professional knowledge. It is also an opportunity to build long-term relationships.

Participate in Group Projects

AGSM courses include many group projects.

Students should not be afraid to collaborate with classmates from different countries and backgrounds. Active communication can improve English proficiency while introducing students to new perspectives and problem-solving approaches.

Attend Campus Activities

Students should also participate in activities organized by UCR and AGSM.

Be willing to meet new people and begin conversations. Networking is an important part of the graduate student experience in the United States, and each interaction may create opportunities for future academic or professional development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the UCR AGSM Master of Finance suitable for students interested in changing industries?

Yes. A Master of Finance develops more than specialized financial knowledge. It can also strengthen business analysis, data-driven thinking, and commercial problem-solving skills.

These transferable capabilities can be applied in technology, internet services, and other industries, helping graduates develop an interdisciplinary professional profile.

How can students pursue a TA position at UCR AGSM?

Students should maintain a strong Grade Point Average (GPA), communicate proactively with professors, and demonstrate both academic knowledge and communication skills.

When TA positions become available, qualified students can actively apply for these opportunities.

How can someone with a business background enter UX Design or a digital product role?

The key is to use an interdisciplinary background as an advantage.

Business students can strengthen capabilities in:

• Data analysis

• Business reasoning

• User research

They should also develop project work that demonstrates how they can balance user needs with business value when solving practical problems.

How should students balance their GPA, internships, and job search?

Effective time management is essential.

During the initial stage of graduate school, students may prioritize adapting to the academic environment and maintaining a strong GPA. As they become familiar with the program, they can begin using university career resources and connecting classroom projects with industry experience.

This gradual approach can help students build the experience required for future job applications.

What skills do multinational companies value?

Based on my experience, important capabilities include:

• Cross-cultural communication and collaboration

• Rapid learning and problem-solving

• The ability to present interdisciplinary skills in relation to a specific position

Final Reflections

Looking back on my experience in the UCR AGSM Master of Finance program, my greatest achievement was not only gaining professional knowledge. It was also discovering a career direction through the learning process.

My transition from finance to UX design and the internet industry demonstrates that graduate education can offer more than specialization in one field. It can also help students explore new possibilities.

For students interested in developing careers across industries, maintaining an open mindset, exploring different opportunities, and making full use of university resources may help them discover a professional path of their own.