From Mongolia to Wall Street: My First-Gen MBA Journey

I still recall the vast, open landscapes of Mongolia and live by the values they ignited in me. Leaving behind all my family, friends, and a well-established professional network to start my U.S. career was nothing short of terrifying. The uncertainty of arriving in a new country, knowing no one, was overwhelming—even though reaching Wall Street had always been my goal.

Arriving at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, I found solace in the amazing friends and dedicated faculty who welcomed me into a supportive community. However, despite these warm connections, the fear of the unknown never fully left me. Every new day brought both excitement and apprehension about what the future held in this foreign land.

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My UC Davis MBA journey took an exhilarating turn during my summer internship at The Bank of New York (BNY). I still remember the first day I walked through the BNY headquarters—the sense of possibility was palpable.

The institution was more than just a workplace; it was a vibrant community that offered numerous networks and clubs, enabling me to build a new support system from scratch. Amid the bustling energy and diverse opportunities, I was gradually overcoming my initial fears.

The Power of the UC Davis Network

Most importantly, I was fortunate enough to have mentors and sponsors who believed in my potential and guided me along the way.

I was introduced to another, more senior UC Davis alum. She took the time to learn about my experiences as a young talent at the bank. Not only did she inquire about my impressions of the BNY culture, but she also delved deeper—genuinely asking about my passions and what I truly enjoyed doing.

She stressed the importance of pursuing work that truly excites you at your core and helped me uncover my passion for a client-facing role by exploring the projects I had worked on and identifying the aspects that energized and fulfilled me the most.

Even though I wasn’t in a client-facing role, our conversation inspired me to take on projects that involved client interactions and made an impact in emerging markets, including those that shaped the Mongolian banking industry.

Eventually, when I started navigating a career change, my mentor provided realistic steps on how to visualize and structure my options, ensuring I left with an actionable and practical plan rather than generic and surface-level advice. After following her advice, I joined our Treasury Services business as a vice president, relationship manager for North American Banks to pursue my passion of working with BNY clients and tackling their critical problems.

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Paying It Forward as a Leader in Finance and Education

Looking ahead, I see myself continuing to evolve within the finance and education industry.

In the next five to 10 years, I aspire to take on leadership roles where I can drive meaningful impact and mentor emerging talent—paying forward the invaluable guidance I received during my journey.

Every challenge I’ve faced, from starting over in a foreign country to adapting to the fast-paced environment at BNY, has shaped my growth and paved the way for new opportunities to make an impact.

For prospective MBA students, especially those coming from international backgrounds, my advice is to embrace the journey with all its dramatic changes and build your own communities—whether it's your alumni group, EBRGs at your organization, or any network that offers support and guidance. Staying connected to your roots and bringing different perspectives is highly valued, and your uniqueness is your tool to make improvements, drive change, and make an impact on underrepresented regions.

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