Seyi Oshinowo (MBA ’14) is currently a Business Operations Specialist at Boeing supporting the company’s Security and Fire Protection team in the NW Region. His role entails project management, data analytics and process improvement/optimization of resources for the team’s firefighters and security officers.
Prior to joining Boeing, Oshinowo attended UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management MBA program, graduating in Spring 2014. While at Rady, he directed the Leading with Service Club, as well as the Sports Business Club. He also interned with the San Diego Padres during his last year in graduate school, which later turned into a full-time position.
1) What impact has Rady had on your career progression?
Rady has provided me with the tools to understand the ever-changing dynamic workforce. For example, analyzing data and reporting to executives is one of my job responsibilities at Boeing, and I had ample practice at Rady of feeling comfortable to express ideas and provide insight to those in leadership positions. In addition, Rady has allowed me to expand my network to people across the globe. It is refreshing to see my friends succeeding throughout the world and improving their respective careers after utilizing a Rady MBA to catapult their development.
2) Has your Rady MBA enabled you to change industries or functional areas or even achieve a promotion?
Rady has definitely enabled an industry change in my career. For most of my life, I was primarily focused on sports management. I feel more versatile than ever before with a Rady MBA, because I am able to utilize knowledge and skill sets that are applicable to any industry. Transitioning from sports to aerospace and security/fire protection has been rewarding and eye-opening and it has broadened my horizons to a multitude of career opportunities.
3) What event or realization served as a ‘turning point’ during your time at the Rady School and/or professional career?
I was able to utilize my internship with the Padres to organize and lead an event at the Rady campus with team executives! Hosting the San Diego Padres CEO Mike Dee, CMO Wayne Partello, and former MLB pitcher Mark Prior at the Rady School was by far the biggest turning point in my graduate school career. Entitled “The Business of Baseball”, these three individuals (highly esteemed in the sports and business industry) were willing to share insights with students and staff about the intricacies of baseball. I am honored that they took time out of their schedules to engage with Rady about the business components of running an MLB franchise. I am not sure if this event has ever happened before at Rady, so etching a place in history is incredible. This gave me confidence to dream even bigger, and pursue goals that I previously believed to be unattainable (i.e. working at Boeing).
4) Tell us a fun fact about you, or something people may not know about you.
I studied abroad in South Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup! I researched the political, social, and economic impact of having a World Cup on African soil for the first time ever, and it was incredibe.
5) Why did you decide to come to the Rady School?
I would be remiss if I did not mention the location — San Diego is impeccable, and an incredible place to live. Outside of that, I liked the notion of small class sizes, and during prospective visits I was informed by Margie Frazee and JoAnn Starr that I had the opportunity to shape the legacy and create a tradition at Rady.
6) What was your favorite class and why?
Social venturing by Professor Ayelet Gneezy. She is one of the sharpest people I have ever met, and she challenged us to think outside the box when it came to organizations serving a bigger purpose than merely increasing profits.
7) What advice do you have for prospective students?
Two years go by QUICKLY, so embrace each moment that you have there! Integrate with the UC San Diego campus at large too, so you can expand your network and utilize the resources that are meant to help you.
8) What is the most memorable moment from your Rady School experience?
Initiating and hosting the Business of Baseball event with the San Diego Padres.