Thoshna D. Arasappa is a first-year MBA student at the Rady School.
1) Why did you choose to pursue a MBA?
I have a background in electronic engineering and three years of work experience in management consulting. An MBA degree seemed like the best step forward to help develop my business acumen and transition from the sell-side to the buy-side of business.
2) Why did you choose the Rady School?
Rady has the perfect location advantage — entrenched at the center of high-tech innovation and entrepreneurship which largely appeals to my area of interests. The small, and highly eclectic class size at Rady was one of the greatest selling points for me.
3) What do you feel makes Rady unique? How do you benefit from these aspects?
Rady’s most unique feature lies in the diversity of its class. Students coming from varied cultural, educational and professional backgrounds, representative of a wide age demography, make every interaction inside and outside of class extremely thought provoking and resourceful.
4) What classes are you looking forward to taking this year?
I look forward to taking various finance related courses this year. I am not very familiar with this area, so it will be interesting to learn more about it. The faculty and staff at Rady are world-class and world renowned. Learning has never been more fun!
5) How has your perspective on your career or your life changed since you came to Rady?
Prior to joining Rady, I was rather head-fast on the idea of starting out as an entrepreneur. Now, after interacting with numerous alums and peers at Rady, I realize I might need to develop function-specific skills before taking on the “self-employed” brand tag.
6) What are your goals after graduation?
Post-graduation, I would like to work in the high-tech space in the capacity of a program manager where I can leverage both my management skills as well as engineering background.
7) What advice do you have for prospective students?
Rady has one of the most tightly knit student-alum body. The breadth and tenacity of this network is truly commendable. Also, being a rather young business school, Rady gives you the unique opportunity to make your own “rules”— form your own clubs, support a cause that matters to you and truly be the voice of change you’d like to see.