Student Profile

Nisha Patel

Background

I am 25-year-old Indian born and brought up in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. I currently live in West End Boston overlooking the harbor and TD Garden (hockey anyone?). Before moving to Boston, I lived in New York City for two and a half years. I’ve also lived in Penang, Bangalore, and Bangkok – I absolutely love traveling and exploring new cultures.

I am a vegetarian who loves baking and cooking. Aside from food, my passions include fashion, social responsibility, and adventure. When I’m not pulling all-nighters writing papers or highlighting case studies, I like to paint, do DIY projects, go kayaking, practice yoga and go for sunset/sunrise swims. I have one younger brother who is currently in his junior year of undergrad at Arizona State University.

If I could describe my professional background in two words, they would be: social responsibility. When I graduated with my Bachelors, I had accumulated 500+ hours of community service. I traveled a lot internationally for a study abroad program, an internship and a Triumvirate (similar to Model UN) and worked with all types of bodies from local communities and nonprofits to governmental organizations understanding key international issues such as social development, sustainability, literacy and women’s rights.

Current Situation

In 2014, I wanted to make a career transition into the corporate industry and I decided the best way to do that is to get a master’s degree. Simultaneous to my studies, I am volunteering for an organization and interning for another organization to gain more fieldwork experience before applying for full-time jobs.

What do you hope to get out of CORe?

What you put in is what you get out of it – that’s what my parents have always told me. I hope to put 110% effort and time into CORe so I can get more than just knowledge out of it.

I am already experiencing the benefits of having an international, cyber-cohort and I hope to continue strengthening my cross-cultural communication skills as well as my team player skills.

What's on the career horizon for you?

Mid-way through my master’s program I realized that I needed to figure out a way to leverage my peers (MBA students) who I would soon be competing with for jobs because I lack professional experience and business knowledge.

When I read about CORe, I knew it was the perfect program to supplement my international marketing knowledge and non-profit experience. After graduating, I am planning on applying and starting a full-time job in Atlanta, GA in the fields of marketing and communication.

More and more, there has been an increase in the use of Big Data in marketing and employers are hiring people that understand the importance and value of data analysis. CORe’s Business Analytics course (along with Financial Accounting and Economics for Managers) will help me gain and communicate certain skills needed to manage numbers, data, and finances.