For graduate, CSUB provides ‘more than just an education’

Victoria Arriaga graduating this fall with business administration degree in accounting

By California State University, Bakersfield

November 20^th, 2025

When Victoria Arriaga’s father started his own business in 2021, Mondragon Finished Cabinets, she knew she wanted to be involved in some way.

Arriaga — who was still in high school at the time — got her dad’s blessing to help with paperwork, managing finances and communicating with customers and suppliers. When it was time to consider what she wanted her college major to be, it was a no-brainer.

“He had talked about his dreams of starting a business since I was around 14 years old. I saw how hard he was working,” she said. “I wanted to help my dad out and I wanted to pursue a career in business, so I decided to go into accounting so I know what we’re supposed to be doing to get started right.”

Arriaga earned her associate degree in business administration from Bakersfield College and is now set to graduate next month from California State University, Bakersfield with her bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in accounting.

“I’m super excited. It is so close,” she said. “I feel like I worked hard for this and it’s finally coming to fruition.”

It’s been a busy time for Arriaga, who has been working full-time as a purchasing clerk for Clinica Sierra Vista along with managing her school responsibilities.

“Time management has been really hard,” she said. “I’ve had to sacrifice things like spending time with my family, getting proper meals and sleep, walking my dog. I told myself ‘It’s going to be hard, but at the end of the day, it’s going to be worth it.’”

Arriaga has also continued to work for her father, Victor Mondragon, while at CSUB. While she has enjoyed the experience, she said it can also be challenging at times.

“Working with your dad isn’t always easy,” she said. “Communication has been our strongest barrier. He’s learned a lot of English over the years, but he speaks mainly Spanish, so I help make sure the client gets what they want and make sure my dad can do the project.”

Mondragon said he was initially surprised when his daughter asked him about getting involved with the business but said she has played a vital role in its operation.

“She has a very good work ethic. She does a lot of hard work,” he said. “I’m open to hear whatever suggestions she has, because it usually has benefits for both of us. Whatever decisions she has to make, I support.”

Mondragon said he is looking forward to seeing Arriaga take the stage during commencement next month.

“I’m very proud of her, very happy for her,” he said. “She told me she was going to do it, and she did it. She accomplished what she said she was going to do. Whatever she chooses to do next, I know she’ll do great.”

'A great way for me to give back’

Arriaga didn’t realize CSUB had accounting clubs when she first arrived on campus, but she became interested after learning about the CSUB chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) from a professor. She served as an events coordinator before stepping up to serve as president this semester.

“I really liked it because I’ve been able to network and put myself out there,” she said. “I got to put my foot directly in the accounting door because of this club, and I love it for that reason.”

One of the most influential events she participated in was a meet-and-greet with local accounting professionals, many of whom were CSUB alumni.

“I got to meet actual people in the field. It was really cool to see there were a lot people like me with similar experiences,” she said. “I thought one day I could be like them. It had a big impact. It changed my life.”

One of the benefits of the event was finding out about internship and firm tour opportunities. Arriaga learned about an internship being offered with Clinica Sierra Vista in 2024. She was able to get a recommendation from Dr. Di Wu, an accounting and finance professor at CSUB and a faculty advisor for the IMA chapter.

Arriaga was selected for the internship and started last December. While she would have been excited for any internship opportunity where she could expand her accounting knowledge and skills, she was grateful that it was with Clinica Sierra Vista.

“My mom was a single mom when I was young. She couldn’t afford health care, so where she would go is Clinica Sierra Vista,” she said. “This is a great way for me to give back.”

Arriaga got hands-on experience with many aspects of accounting and finance through the internship, including contracts, procurement and budgeting.

“It was great,” she said. “I got to see the workflow of the company, how documents work throughout it. I got to see the systems we have in place to ensure that payment is correct, approved and going to the right people. It reinforced what I was learning at CSUB.”

Arriaga has also been able to use the networking and communication skills she’s gained at CSUB in her work.

“Building my communication skills has been helpful. It’s one of the things I use daily on my job in working with vendors,” she said.

Clinica Sierra Vista Contracts and Procurement Supervisor Madison McCaslin said Arriaga did such a great job in the internship that it was an easy decision to offer her a position as a purchasing clerk, a role Arriaga has held since August.

“During her six-month internship, she demonstrated tremendous skill, adaptability and a genuine eagerness to learn. She quickly became known for her attention to detail and her ability to master any task given to her,” McCaslin said. “Since joining our team, she has thrived in procurement and accounts payable, consistently finding ways to optimize processes and improve efficiency. Her ability to balance school, work and extracurricular commitments — all while being a kind, dependable, and engaged employee — is truly remarkable.”

For graduate, CSUB provides ‘more than just an education’

Taking the lead

Despite her work responsibilities, Arriaga has stayed committed to her education at CSUB, including serving as the IMA president. She said she especially enjoys bringing new students into the club and helping them connect with internship opportunities.

“I love convincing people to join. I love talking to people who are interested in accounting and saying ‘This is what you need to do. It will change your life like it changed mine,’” she said. “A lot of the students are doing internships, and it’s such a huge help.”

Dr. Wu said he has been impressed with Arriaga in both the classroom and with her performance as president of the IMA chapter.

“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to see Victoria grow as both a student and a leader,” he said. “As president of the IMA Student Chapter at CSUB, she demonstrated outstanding initiative, professionalism and dedication, expanding membership, strengthening partnerships and creating valuable opportunities for student and professional engagement. Victoria’s commitment and collaborative leadership have left a lasting impact on the chapter and campus community. I am confident that her passion and drive will lead to continued success in all her future endeavors.”

Arriaga said she has enjoyed her experience at Clinica Sierra Vista and has no immediate plans to leave after graduation. While she eventually wants to become a management accountant, Arriaga said she’s happy with where she’s at.

“It’s been amazing. I love what I do, the people I work with,” she said. “I know my job has an effect on people. What I do is helping patients. I may not know how to operate on a patient, how to make sure they are getting the medication they need, but I am buying stuff to make sure our clinic can run so these people can be seen. Having an impactful job like that really makes me want to stay.”

None of this would have been possible without the education she received from CSUB, according to Arriaga.

“It’s done so much for me,” she said. “It’s a lot more than just an education. The classes build on each other, and it really sticks. You’re building a network and connecting with a lot of different people. That helps as an accountant.”