Mayra Gomez, a first-generation student who aspired to a career in finance, didn't see many female leaders in business when she was growing up.
Things changed when she enrolled in the Women's Leadership Program at California State University, Fullerton.
“For the first time in my life, I saw women in leadership roles in business. They were very successful in their careers and that gave me confidence and confidence that I could be there one day. I think it really helped,” Gomez said.
The College of Business and Economics' Women's Leadership Program provides students with personalized guidance from certified career coaches and the opportunity to network with industry leaders and improve their business skills through immersive seminars to help them develop their business skills through immersive seminars. It prepares students for success in leadership positions.
Today, Gomez is one of those leaders, serving as a finance program manager at Google.
Working for one of the world's largest technology companies, Gomez is responsible for improving the organization's financial processes. She leads domestic and international projects focused on researching, modifying, and improving operations to ensure that Google's financial programs run smoothly.
“California State University, Fullerton helped me identify what I wanted to do after graduation and helped me develop the leadership skills I needed to be successful in my career,” said Gomez ’18, Business Administration. (Bachelor of Management, Managerial Economics and Business Analytics) said.
chance to be a leader
Gomez has always been fascinated by numbers and finance.
“As a native of Oxnard, California, I was very interested in understanding what makes an economy successful and how to create economic growth and wealth,” she explained.
She took advantage of campus opportunities to expand her classroom experience. This not only strengthened her business portfolio but also helped her build a significant network of industry professionals.
She graduated in 2018 and took a full-time job as an Engagement Financial Advisor Analyst at Deloitte. This is all thanks to the connections she made as a member of the University's Business Her Interclub Council.
“While working on the council, I met a student who had just gotten a job at Deloitte. During the next hiring cycle, she encouraged me to apply,” Gomez said.
After her first job at Deloitte, Gomez moved to a role as a finance transformation consultant at KPMG US, working with clients to improve their finance processes and implement new technology.
During his undergraduate years, Gomez attended the university's Sales Leadership Center, where he gained significant sales experience, networked with corporate partners, and graduated with a certificate in Professional Sales. She said the center taught her valuable skills, including how to think strategically about branding and how to advocate for herself when it comes to professional growth opportunities.
Gomez also realized his growth as a leader through his work with the CSUF Economic Association. There she gained experience managing teams, overseeing large projects, and motivating others to achieve common goals.
“Meira's strong intellect was obvious to me from the beginning. But what I admired most was her strength of character. She always took full responsibility for her own learning and she I'm not surprised at all that it has been so successful,” said Emeritus Professor of Economics Andrew Gill.
Inspired by the Women's Leadership Program and the impact it has had on her career in the business world, Gomez plans to continue working with the program, meeting with students and sharing her experiences.
“Before I joined this program, I didn't have a lot of resources. Once I graduated, I really wanted to come back and help others,” she said. “Using my education and experience to support others in their journey means so much to me.”
