Finance Manager at Amazon
What did you do for your undergrad, and how did it help prepare you for graduate school?
I pursued Computer Engineering in my undergrad with specialization in software and data mining, two pillars which significantly support corporate strategies. My learning experience in both these skills were significant in enhancing my learning experience as a MS Fin student at The Jindal School of Management at UTD. Many of the courses I took during my masters in UTD also required a solid understanding of quantitative methods and statistics, so my undergrad studies greatly augmented my experience at graduate school.
Why did you choose your MS Degree Program at JSOM?
My background experience was a mix of technical qualifications as a software engineer and work experience as a futures trader and Sales Finance Manager. Even though I had worked in the finance domain in different capacities, I didn’t have experience of academic finance and when looking for options for my graduate level education my priority was to complement both my previous education and work experience. The MS Finance program at JSOM not only fulfilled all the criteria but also boasted of world class faculty and a very enhanced learning program and facilities. It also ranked amongst the top globally and it was my good fortune to be accepted in this program. Moreover, alumni from this school have gone on to very well professionally and all these factors makes it a natural priority not just for me, but for many international students from around the world.
What is a memorable experience you had while attending JSOM that has helped shape your career path?
Maybe it was a life-altering internship, a great mentor, enlightening case study, etc. I had many great experiences as a student at JSOM. All my classes have been very enriching and fulfilling. The course setup and structure have always motivated me to think beyond the classrooms and explore what’s actually happening in the finance industry. I was also humbled to be selected as a Teaching Assistant for multiple professors and multiple subjects over the course of two semesters and this was an amazing experience which helped me discover the teacher in me and have motivated me to pursue a Ph.D. at some point in the future. But my most memorable experience lied in getting the opportunity to serve as a student leader for Graduate Finance Management Council. It gave me an opportunity to serve my peers and connect with many industry leaders and alumni whose guidance and advice have helped me decide a career path for myself that would be rewarding and fulfilling for me.
What makes you proud to be a Jindal Alum?
The recognition and respect are bestowed for being part of this amazing institution is what makes me most proud of. Professionals and companies recognize the value of the education and most importantly the experience we are imparted during the course of our journey here. Our professors are well known and there is lot to be shared with peers from different institutions. I am immensely grateful for an amazing two years of journey here which passed with the blink of an eye.
If you could describe the Jindal School in three words, which words would you choose?
Resilience, Professional and Pride.
Anything else you’d like to share that we haven’t asked above?
The only additional experience I would like to share is my experience outside school. Texas is a beautiful state and I was fortunate to get opportunities to travel a lot. It is that state which is modern, futuristic and still made me home. I met some amazing people off campus and made some great friends here. With the exponential progress it’s making I am sure it’s going to be the major propeller of the US and global economy.
