Tristan Cabral, Manchester AMBS MBA Class of 2028
Age: 37
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Undergraduate Institution and Major: California Polytechnic University of Pomona and BA in Multicultural Psychology
Pre-MBA Work Experience: global leadership development and strategy in the non-profit sector for 8 years, and feature film & tv storyboard artists for companies like Nickelodeon, Netflix, and Disney for 5 years.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Although it has been a dream job to work as a full-time artist within animation, I have come to realize that the current system within the animation studios in Hollywood is very broken. It does not provide a sustainable lifestyle for me to progress as a person and the ceiling for growth professionally favors very few in Hollywood. With constant mergers, the impending implementation of AI into the creative workplace, the constant threat of being replaced by AI without taking into consideration the impact on storytelling and the craft that is STORY, as well as the general itch to go further in my own education and development, I decided that business school provided a new set of tools I wanted to strategically elevate and evolve my past skills in strategy and development along with my new skill and passion for storytelling.
Why did you choose Manchester AMBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
In my past two careers, I have learned that an environment where I can get my hands dirty immediately and figure things out a long the way is the best path for my growth. In fact, my undergraduate university had a very similar motto to AMBS of “learn by doing” which served me well. I am less academic-smart and more street-smart, letting my intuition and adaptability be a strong part of my decision making process. AMBS provides that type of learning. The three consultancy projects throughout the course was also very enticing for someone who is doing his third career pivot. The business world is very new to me. I want to get as many new types of experiences under my belt as possible. The possibility to work with three different organizations or companies during my time at AMBS felt like the right strategic move for someone who was starting from scratch.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I have been blessed to have worked with some of the best storytellers in the modern world through the lens of animation. To make someone feel or remember something deep and almost primal that they were not experiencing just a second ago is the most magical skill I can bring to my class. The art of STORY can translate so wonderfully into how a business interacts with their audience and markets. How you divulge information, to how you craft a moment in your marketing campaign, and even how you interact with your clients can make or break a business deal. The art of storytelling is such a powerful tool necessary to allow a business to grow into new markets, evolve into a new version, and be embraced by a new audience I will strive to integrate my love for storytelling with the knowledge gained from AMBS. My hope is to sharpen the skills of my class so that they may also bring forward a new tool or two into their journey into the future.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
One of the greatest things I have ever done in my life was to loose over 140 lbs / 63.5 kgs. I use to be so insecure about this part of my story. Life happens and I did not realize how uncaring I was to myself and my body. Suddenly, in my early 30s, I realized that there was so much to life I wanted to achieve but couldn’t do because of my unhealthy habits and reality. It was in Kyoto, in fact, climbing a mountain full of Tori gates where I had that realization. I couldn’t do it. Three years later, after having lost over 100 lbs, I reached the top and I cried. I was overwhelmed to see how my hard work, determination, and drive really made a difference. Not only did I climb the mountain, but I carved out a new reality for my life. A new path towards wondering how much more can life bring. I bring that drive and curiosity into AMBS and into the future.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would have a hard sit-down with myself and really ask the hard questions:
- do you believe you will truly be happy in the next five to ten years continuing to do what you are doing now?
- are your current skill trajectories able to shift with the changing markets and allow you to have the life you strive for? Or do you need to make a change? Does NOW make sense to make that change?
- list out the fears that is stopping you from even considering a path towards business school and have a good stare at them. Are you willing to let any of those define your future? Which one are you willing to wrestle with? And which ones are not actual fears but just thoughts that bog your mind? Untangle all those and get real with what is actually holding you back.
- what type of person do you want to become and how is your current path or journey heading towards that person-to-be?
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I don’t think I would change anything. If you ever get to sit down with me, Ill have to tell you the CRAZY story of how I even got to going to business school. Life happened and I followed without any hesitation. But I will add a teaser for those who are interested in my story in why I would not change or do anything. It involves getting let go from a movie gig in Hollywood, to missing a flight and getting on a train in Kyoto to go to the mountains, to moving to Mexico City and meeting a Scottish baker, and going to Manchester and feeling like it was home. A snippet of that crazy story. If you are interested, find me on LinkedIn or Instagram.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I think saying goodbye to my wonderful community in Los Angeles was such a hard part for me. It was necessary but it was quite a journey. I have a huge set of friends in LA. But once I knew I was moving abroad, I decided to gift myself with several plans to have a proper goodbye to my community. That included many dinners to having a huge party with over 80 people in my backyard. It was helpful for me to communicate how much those people meant to me and how they were necessary for my journey for me to move forward. I am very community-minded. I wanted to make sure to have closure with many of my relationships so that I have the internal space to make a new community in Manchester.
What is your initial impression of the Manchester AMBS students/culture/community?
At the time I am writing this, we have yet to start. But I have had tea with a few of my classmates to hear their stories. I am impressed by them. Truly, I feel like a fish out of water compared how impressive my classmates are. We all bring something new to the table and I am incredibly excited to learn from many of them as well as teach them some of my skills along the way.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I would like to run for student council at AMBS. I enjoy community engagement and really crafting the experience of a cohort. I also am very into weight lifting and boxing. If I can find some type of club that allows me to maintain my techniques and forms, then I will pursue those. I also hope to continue to sharpen my skills as an artist and communicator. So any organizations that focus on those things, I will most likely pursue. I also aim to do as many competitions as I can balance. My goals is to throw myself into as many opportunities – especially ones that will teach me new skills – so that I can say by the end of my time in AMBS, “Wow, I really did improve!”
What is one thing you have learned about Manchester AMBS that has surprised you?
As I have talked to many alumni in the past year, they have constantly heralded how amazing and supportive the staff and faculty are. Not that I did not expect it, but I was surprised with how the alumni really encouraged me to get to know the staff and faculty. I am excited to learn from them and get to know them.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I like to track my growths. The fun thing about a career pivot into something you have no current skills in is that I am starting from ground zero. I am really excited to reflect in a year and really assess my growth in many faculties of my life. When I was taking classes to learn skills in animation, I would often tell teachers, “I don’t come from the world of art. I may be really slow in the beginning, but I promise you I will be one of the most improved students in your class.” I aim to have the same story. I strive to be the most improved student. From zero to something amazing.
