A Passion for Numbers

Image

Bhavna Mansinghka

Account Technology Specialist, NetApp

Class of 2021
MS in Marketing Analytics

Member Of: Lubin Graduate Marketing Society, Toastmasters

A go-getter is someone who is active in developing their career, but who also makes time for friends, fun, exploring, and getting out of their comfort zone. Bhavna is a go-getter. This international student from Mumbai, India, came to the Lubin School of Business equipped with a passion for numbers, a hunger for networking, a merit scholarship, and an open mind.

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business to advance your business education?

Pace University offers a wide range of opportunities and resources. Along with the diversity of the student body, being in New York City and studying near Wall Street gives you access to a lot of opportunities and networking events. The Lubin School of Business has a lot to offer to international students like me. The MS in Marketing Analytics program offered precisely what I wanted to study and the perfect combination of all the modules that I needed. The program checked every box for me in terms of professors, post-graduation opportunities, career services, and networking events.

What types of opportunities and resources have you taken advantage of as a graduate student at Lubin?

Early on, I was honored to be a recipient of the Graduate International Merit Scholarship. Additionally, I had received a Graduate Assistantship with Professor Samir El-Gazzar, helping him with his research for publication. I also worked as a Student Assistant in the International Admissions office. I was also awarded the Janetschek Professional Growth Fund, which I used towards attaining a professional certification in data science. Apart from these opportunities, Lubin enabled me to work with like-minded people on exciting projects, including being part of leadership teams in graduate student clubs. I have also been able to network with alumni and attend professional growth workshops.

I have a genuine interest in the subjects that I have studied. The drive to be better and excel at what I like plays a vital role in keeping me motivated. Additionally, the way that my courses' modules and assessments were designed felt like a perfect way to progressively enhance my knowledge in specific areas.

Tell us a bit about your internship experience. How will you apply what you learned to the rest of your career?

I started interning with NetApp as a Solutions Engineer in May 2020 and have been working with them ever since. I found this experience extremely rewarding and I learned a lot about analytics in the storage industry. I am glad to have built some tremendous long-term connections at NetApp. This experience has helped me professionally as well as personally. I've loved numbers since my youth, so collecting data and working on research projects with my supervisors turned out to be an enriching experience for me. My role at NetApp lets me utilize and enhance my skills in a collaborative environment, where I can learn from some of the best minds in the industry.

In addition to being very involved outside of the classroom, you've managed to maintain a 3.9 GPA every semester. What motivates you to work hard?

I have a genuine interest in the subjects that I have studied. The drive to be better and excel at what I like plays a vital role in keeping me motivated. Additionally, the way that my courses' modules and assessments were designed felt like a perfect way to progressively enhance my knowledge in specific areas. More importantly, I believe that in the long-term, discipline triumphs motivation; a systematic work ethic allowed me to always finish my studies before deadlines, which created time for other activities at Lubin.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students looking to make the most out of their experiences?

Academically, make detailed plans well ahead of time so that you can balance the focus on readings and assignments along with other activities of interest. This approach will give you a realistic idea about how much you can take on and allow you to maximize your learning. Being well informed about course content will better equip you to take advantage of Lubin's many professional development opportunities, including internships. Build your network organically: ask for help and guidance when in need, and be gracious to others when you are in a position to help. A strong work ethic and a sound support system are the foundation for a promising career.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity, and for me, #LubinLife is about excellence and capitalizing on opportunities. #LubinLife kept me motivated and involved, even during the pandemic, and helped me meet some great minds/people. #LubinLife is also about broadening your horizons by being part of diverse groups and projects.