Rebeca Ibarra was born and raised in Las Vegas and is a three-time alumna from UNLV. She earned her B.S. in Biology, an M.S. in Biochemistry, and, most recently, an MBA. She has had an interesting career journey. She recently switched career paths from biochemistry to project management in data analytics. We sat down with Ibarra to catch up with her and see how the program assisted her in this transition.

"After graduating with my MBA, I wanted to join a company that would help me grow my newly acquired skill set and challenge me. What drew me to Applied Analysis was that they were looking for people with diverse backgrounds and critical thinking skills,"Ibarra said. "I enjoy working at Applied Analysis because every project is different. No matter how much experience I gain, I always find something new to learn." She started as an analyst when she joined the firm in March 2020 and has since been promoted to project manager.

Ibarra's dedication to her education and continuous learning is truly inspiring. Her commitment to investing in her own personal and professional growth is a testament to the importance of education in achieving career success. Her philosophy of lifelong learning is admirable and something that everyone can strive to emulate in their lives.

Beyond her career and education, Ibarra is also passionate about mental health advocacy and positively impacting her community. Her involvement with the local nonprofit INSPIR3 showcases her dedication to this cause and willingness to give back to others.

In her personal life, Ibarra enjoys spending time in nature through hiking and staying active through exercise. Her goal of saving for a down payment on a house demonstrates her forward-thinking mindset and commitment to building a stable future.

Ibarra highlights the value of the MBA program's diverse curriculum and courses, which equipped her with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in her role at Applied Analysis. She specifically mentioned how the program's emphasis on stimulating debates among students and working in groups mirroring real-world business situations helped her to think critically and work effectively in teams.
Ibarra also identified two classes that significantly impacted her personal and professional development. The Leadership, Teams, & Individuals class taught by Dr. Richard Gardner helped her to become more confident in expressing her opinions and defending her viewpoints. And, the Seminar in Negotiation class taught by Dr. John Baur provided her with practical, real-life experiences that helped her to develop her communication skills and build stronger relationships with her team.
Ibarra also recognizes the value of her MBA degree in opening up new career opportunities. She said, "The MBA program has allowed me to pivot my career and move into a new industry. Having this degree has made me a more attractive candidate to potential employers, and it has given me the confidence to pursue new roles and responsibilities."

Overall, Ibarra highly recommends pursuing an MBA degree to anyone considering it. She said, "It is a challenging program, but the benefits are tremendous. It has opened doors for me that I never thought possible and has allowed me to grow professionally and personally. I am grateful for the opportunity to have completed this program and would encourage anyone considering it to do it."

"It's also important to remember that learning doesn't stop after graduation and that continued personal and professional development is essential for success in any field. Finally, courageously taking risks and trying new things can lead to great opportunities and experiences, even if they may seem uncertain at first."