What makes a business major from Purdue's Daniels School pop? Their STEM-infused skill set, of course. These 4 business analytics and information management undergrads believe their unique major and Purdue pedigree are opening doors for them. Take a glimpse into their lives and understand what it is to be a BAIM student at Purdue University.
From West Windsor, New Jersey, junior Sreeya Thirunagari is studying Business Analytics & Information Management (BAIM) and finance. She is a go-getter, directing recruitment for the business ambassador program, sitting on the executive board for the Larsen Leaders Academy and the vice president of communication and outreach committee chair for the Women in Business Organization. Thirunagari worked as an intern for Hewlett Packard and interned as an analyst for United Healthcare.
When I flew out for an admitted student's event in high school, I connected with the Business Ambassadors. They were so welcoming and answered all my questions regarding Purdue. I ate lunch with BAIM faculty, and they discussed the various opportunities within the world of business analytics. I could picture myself being on Purdue’s campus, hanging with friends, sitting in the lecture halls in the business school and joining clubs and organizations. After my visit, I knew this was the place for me.
In Data Visualization, I learned to use Tableau to create graphs and tell business stories. It’s very applicable to the real world, and I can use the relevant project experience in my future career.
The perfect combination of business and coding, our BAIM program focuses on STEM skills, which are prevalent in classes. I trust the professors will set me up for success. They help students connect to a global network of alumni and business professionals. With a BAIM degree, I can succeed in any industry because of the variety of skills I learned in the program.
In my first year as a business ambassador, I connected with students worldwide and shared why I chose Purdue, my experiences and what I wish I heard when I was in high school. In my second year, I was the director of finances. I made the budget and analyzed data from previous years. My finance and BAIM classes allowed me to take on this role with confidence.
I used Microsoft Excel to forecast 9 directors' semester-long budgets, and then I visualized actual expenditure trends. Later, I developed a report to summarize financially significant findings. Now, I’m the director of recruitment. I was excited to interview potential business ambassadors and head the committee that chose our newest members. In my time in the organization, my communication skills have grown from talking with parents, prospective students and on student panels. Now I have provable experience to use in my future profession.
After I graduate, I want to use my two degrees to work in investment management analytics. I am passionate about using analytics in the context of investments, so pursuing a career in that field would be fulfilling.
From Friendswood, Texas, Marshall Prince is a junior studying BAIM and Marketing. He is a member of the Larson Leaders Academy, a project lead for the Purdue Marketing Association, a team leader for Boiler Gold Rush, a volunteer for Mentors for Kids and a sports analyst for Purdue Athletics. Last summer he interned with his hometown company, Voss Alan. He continues working remotely as their marketing analytics intern. He also completed a three-month program with Beats by Dre, analyzing data in consumer insights.
I'm a people person, so I knew the university I chose would be community-oriented. The students I met at my Purdue visit displayed a culture of kindness, respect and generosity. I knew I needed this environment if I were to choose a school so far away from home. Being at Purdue has been a second home to me, and the people here are like family.
Introduction to Organizational Computing set the foundation for all of my college learning. It introduces the basics of Excel. I utilize what I learned in that class regularly, and it's applicable to nearly any position in my future career.
I started at Purdue as a marketing major. Because I’m an analytical person, I spoke with my academic advisor and looked into the BAIM program. It had all the technical skills I wanted to learn like data analysis and synthesizing insights. This helps to convey data to those who don’t understand the numbers side of business well. With both majors, I will graduate in four years with two degrees and many skills I otherwise wouldn’t have.
The core of being a business ambassador is forming connections. I love what I do. I thrive in a setting where I can help others. I highlight my experiences in the business school and at Purdue while connecting with them. I help prospective students make an informed decision about their future. We hope they choose Purdue, but, more importantly, we want to help them find the right place. We’re here to support them. We make a lasting impact.
I want to work at the intersection of data, marketing and strategy. I’m passionate about bringing communication, data analysis and my strategic vision to a business setting. My dream is to work in sports statistics.
From Plainsboro, New Jersey, Ishita Tripathy is a senior studying BAIM and economics. She is a member of the Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity, an events co-chair for the Old Masters Honors College and a member of the Mortar Board Society. Tripathy worked as a marketing intern for Kohler Co. and most recently finished her business analytics internship with Nike.
I wanted to attend an institution where my classes were relatively small but still had the perks of a Big 10 school. I was excited about the football games, basketball games and Purdue’s organizations and clubs. The business school has around 3,000 undergraduate students, so I feel comfortable while learning but still venture out and make friends in different majors.
My Six Sigma and Quality Management course was the most difficult, but learning Six Sigma strategies allows us to identify and remove any causes of defects in the business processes. I like learning the complicated process. This class helped me to minimize errors and infer statistical data for companies. It aided with diving deeper into statistics.
I loved data analytics in high school but found that data science was too technical for me. I wanted more of a business focus and found that BAIM was the perfect combination of analytics and business. BAIM principles apply to any industry where we analyze data and let us tell a story through graphs and other visual aids. Here at Purdue the faculty helps us connect with alumni and are passionate about our learning.
Business ambassadors not only interact with prospective students, we keep in touch with them. There have been some cases where they email us with follow-up questions. We’re always happy to help. We sit on the student panels and share what life at Purdue looks like. I hope that prospective students can picture themselves in my shoes. I enjoy helping students and hopefully make their choice a bit easier.
This spring I’ll graduate with two degrees from the business school. I have yet to determine where I want to work or for what industry. I know I want to work in data analytics and supply chain. My internship with Nike this summer helped me apply business analytics using Python and Excel in real-world work. I’m grateful to know that this is a pathway I want for my career upon graduation.
From South Riding, Virginia, Anisha Nanda is a sophomore studying BAIM and marketing. She is the director of communication for the business ambassador program, a member of the Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity, a member of the Larson Leaders Academy and also a member of the Women in Business organization. She was a project intern for NVA Career Coaching and will be interning with Kohler Co. this upcoming summer as their commercial sales and marketing intern.
My college decision was between Purdue and another school, but once I toured Purdue I fell in love with the campus. The environment was uplifting and brought me joy. There was a good balance of student and work life. I liked the small sizes of the classes and the opportunities Purdue provided such as study abroad and a STEM focus in marketing and BAIM.
My marketing management course let me use BAIM principles in marketing. For example, using specific analysis techniques for different marketing projects. I explored how analytics and computer science can coincide with marketing.
The skills I learned in the BAIM program are in high demand in the business industry, and it's a great way to explore multiple career paths. The program gives us the freedom to make classes and projects our own. In addition to my marketing degree, I discovered new ideas that I never knew would interest me.
As the director of communication for the business ambassadors, I facilitate the line of communication between ambassadors and full-time staff. I run the executive meetings twice a week and business ambassador meetings once a week. I enjoy making every member feel like an integral part of the organization. I love working on my leadership skills as I run meetings and make a positive impact on prospective students.
I want to live and work in Chicago after graduating. I want to work at a big corporation in marketing analytics. I have yet to decide what company I’d like to work with, but I’m hoping my internship with Kohler Co. this summer will aid me in my decision.
