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Story by Cathi Douglas '80 | Image by Karen Tapia
David Mock ’92 (B.S. engineering-electrical engineering) started reinventing himself from Day One and hasn’t stopped. Today he is enrolled in the Cal State Fullerton M.B.A. program, which he believes could be the beginning of a whole new phase in his life.
Mock, who started his career as a circuit and systems designer at Beckman Coulter, became more interested in all aspects of business, not just product development, as he developed additional skills and expanded into more challenging positions.
“I’ve always wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between technology and business success,” Mock said. “This has led me to continuously look beyond my current position and regularly contemplate what would be my next step.”
Before embarking on his M.B.A. program, he studied market research and analysis, strategic consulting and investment banking, and even authored an investment and business book. “Therefore, I don’t see my leap into the business world through the M.B.A. program as much of a reinvention of myself – it’s merely a natural step in shoring up my business knowledge and understanding.”
As part of his continuous process of reinvention, Mock routinely seeks the counsel of successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople from a number of industries. “I’ve also tried to align myself and keep contact with people who are much smarter than me,” he said. “I try to learn something from everyone I meet, regardless of where they are from or what they do.”
If he were to give advice to other career reinventors, Mock said, he would advise them to carefully consider why they want to take their careers in a particular direction.
“It’s important that you have a passion for what you do, otherwise it’s just a job and not a source of fulfillment,” he said. “I’d say to stick to areas that are connected with your experience and strengths – it offers you a far better chance of success than venturing into completely new and unfamiliar territory.”
Diane Pacheco’92 (B.A. business administration) had spent several years in the hotel management business by the time she landed a job as director of sales and marketing at Le Meridien Hotel in Newport Beach.
But something was missing. Pacheco – who traveled much of the time in her high-profile, high-pressure position – longed for a better life-work balance.
So when Le Meridien Hotel became Sutton Place Hotel, she saw the opportunity to enter a new phase in her career.
“From that point on, I reinvented myself,” Pacheco said. She quit her job and enrolled in the M.B.A. program at the University of La Verne, all the while continuing her efforts as a volunteer with young people, primarily through the Cal State Fullerton Career Center’s summer enrichment programs.
During that time, she networked with as many business contacts as possible. “I reached out and asked for advice, calling and meeting with people I knew,” she recalled. She considered teaching, but a short stint as a substitute teacher dissuaded her.
It was through her volunteer efforts that she was introduced to Inroads, a nonprofit organization that places talented minority youth in business and industry internships, preparing them for corporate and community leadership.
Today she is a manager at Inroads, working with college students and corporations and conducting training programs. The rewards she reaps from her current position include the gratification she receives from helping young people succeed.
She recommends that other career reinventors consider where their passions lie, and determine how realistic it is to pursue them. In order to be competitive, she said, it’s important to have a plan.
“Each person is unique,” Pacheco noted. “I was willing to get into a different career, and I sacrificed salary in order to do that.
“But I wanted a life balance. That was my No. 1 priority. I wanted to have time for myself, my family and other things besides work. My job has definitely allowed me to do that.” 
Produced by Strategic Communications
at California State University, Fullerton.