Sanjana Venkatraman is a senior from Ashburn, Virginia and is a double-major in Management with a focus in Consulting and Analytics (MCA) and Marketing Management. She served as a member of the Management Student Advisory Board and as President of Mixed Emotions A Cappella.

We recently asked her to share her experiences as a Management major and Pamplin School Business student.

Q: Why did you select Virginia Tech and the Management (MGT) program?

A: I chose Virginia Tech for its sense of community and the gorgeous campus. I was accepted to Virginia Tech in the Management program which I chose because I wanted to gain the foundation of business fundamentals to be able to enter any industry to supplement what I've learned.

Q: Were there any specific classes that you remember as validating your major choice?

A: Managerial Analytics and Strategy Competition Analytics were two classes that validated my choice because they were incredibly challenging to get through but in the end the payoff was worth it.

Q: Is there a faculty member or staff member within Pamplin and/or the MGT department that served as a mentor or source of inspiration for you during your journey?

A: When it comes to professors, I'd like to highlight Steve Skripak for being a constant presence and mentor these past 4 years. He helped me get involved with the Management Student Advisory Board (MSAB) and it's been a great organization to contribute my experience to.

Q: Did you have an internship during your Pamplin journey?

A: During my Pamplin journey, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of industries from nonprofits to startups and corporations. Most notably, I had the chance to work for Booz Allen Hamilton as a marketing analyst the summer before my senior year.

Q: What advice would you provide to an incoming Pamplin freshman?

A: My advice for any incoming Pamplin freshman is to do your research and find ways to get involved! There are so many resources so it's crucial that you explore what interests you to make the most of your college career!

Q: What was your inspiration for leadership?

A: I knew that I wanted to get involved because I wanted to learn more about Pamplin and the department itself. Initially, I didn't realize how much of an opportunity I had when I joined MSAB but I'm so glad that I did because I got to pave the way for new MGT students to make the most out of their time here at Tech.

“Pamplin is a great stepping stone for giving you a head start in a business centered career. It all starts from the mindset and they provide the skills for you to build upon to broaden your horizons. In addition, there are ample opportunities to get involved during your college career whether it's skill building or being the voice of your peers,” stated Sanjana.

Q: How did you approach your job search?

A: Considering I had two majors, I looked for opportunities in both fields. I knew within management I was looking for something in the relative field of consulting but was open to the industry it pertained to. I don't want to stop learning so I looked for positions that I could build up from. I started applying for positions in the fall of my senior year.

Q: What’s next?

A: Following graduation, I will be moving to Atlanta, Georgia to join Alight Solutions as a Workday Specialist and I couldn't be more excited for what lies ahead!