Chris Speed ’20 Puts His MBA Coursework to Work at Google

When he was around 18 years old, Chris Speed ’20 remembers thinking, “I wonder what Google does?” 

Today, it’s safe to say the Knauss School of Business MBA alumnus knows plenty about the tech giant. Now in his role of Pixel Go-to-Market Manager at Google, Chris has pulled back the curtain on the then-mysterious company that piqued his curiosity. But his path to reach the Silicon Valley superpower was a bit of a windy one.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in economics from California State University San Marcos, and later a Master of Science in engineering/industrial management from National University, Chris thrived at several different companies in positions centered around process improvement, project management and business strategy. 

“I was able to dip my toes in different waters,” Chris says. “Getting a comprehensive view of many businesses—that allows you to be a Swiss Army knife.”

At Encore Capital Group in San Diego, in particular, he led business development and strategy and, despite refining his skill set and finding increasing success, he knew he was meant to do more.

“There was this glass ceiling,” Chris explains. “I’m in the room, but I don’t have a seat at the table. I wanted to be on par with those at the table.” 

An MBA Opens the Door to Big Tech

So, Chris decided that an MBA would help him break through the limitations he felt and position him for the greater level of responsibility he was looking for. Plus, “I consider myself a lifelong learner,” he says. 

He chose the Knauss School of Business at the University of San Diego, an institution he admired in a setting he was familiar with, having grown up in the Linda Vista neighborhood right next to campus.

Learning what he calls “the tricks of the trade” in the MBA program opened the door to Chris’s first job in the tech industry, at Meta. And, from there, he was given the opportunity to transition into his current role at Google, which carries the influence he had sought—but demands a far different expertise than what he’d been honing over the years.

“I had to do a complete about-face when I started at Google,” Chris says, recalling shifting job responsibilities. In his current Go-to-Market Manager role, with product launches of several Pixel phones and the Pixel Watch under his belt, he uses insights to help create a point of view, “distilling a bunch of crazy information” into a recommendation for leadership. Once approved, he then implements the strategy alongside the telecommunications partner to sell the phone.

What was his secret to pivoting positions so seamlessly? Unbeknownst to Chris, the Knauss School of Business’ MBA program had prepared him for the job at Google all along.

Business Lessons You Use at Google

“My role at Google mirrors a substantial portion of my MBA,” he laughs. “Marketing and analytics—that coursework I use every day.” 

He explains that marketing courses he took by Professors Seth Ellis and Carlton O’Neal culminated with a simulation in which students make decisions about taking a product to market. “I’m basically doing the exact same thing!” Chris says. “Those courses really prepared me for the stress and the chaos and the nuance and the fun of new product introduction.”

On the analytics side, Professor Amit Kakkad’s course, which Chris admits he “absolutely hated,” provided him with a leg up. “Google is so analytical, it’s unreal,” Chris says. “The framework—decision trees, in particular—that he taught in his class I use on a regular basis.” 

“The foundation of qualitative and quantitative skills that I got from the MBA program helped me to put on a life vest and splash my way to shore,” he adds. 

Fulfilling a Calling to Make an Impact

“I’ve always wanted to be in the seat that I sit in now. Google is the most trusted brand in the world. It’s a bunch of very talented, type-A people that are entrepreneurs building something and moving it forward.” 

As to the most unexpected thing about working at the company, “I can move the needle and have an impact—I was really surprised by that.”

Chris admits to working a lot, either remotely or at the Mountain View office, in which he enjoys hopping aboard the Google shuttle to travel to and from his San Francisco residence. So, on weekends, “I spend time with my friends—refill my tank,” he says. 

Chris also spends his downtime exploring the Bay Area, calling himself a “constant tourist,” playing tennis, reading anything from the latest trends in AI to personal growth, or hanging out with his dog, Arya, named after a character in Game of Thrones.

— Gabrielle Horta