Utthara Thiagarajan, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA Class of 2024
Age: 26
Hometown: Bangalore, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: VIT University, electronics and communication engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 4 years at ZS Associates
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Pursuing an MBA was always a milestone in my “Where do you see yourself?” in 5-years plan. As a consultant focused on technical data analytics, I wanted to broaden my horizons to include the business aspect of decision-making. An MBA promises just that. The curriculum covers a wide range of fundamentals that can be leveraged to make a positive difference in any industry.
A classroom that facilitates open dialogue and encourages different thought processes can only be found in a diverse business school. This inspired me to apply to an international university to explore cultures outside my home country and develop inclusive team-building skills. At the end of my MBA journey, I hope to be a well-rounded leader with solid business acumen for problem-solving.
Why did you choose UNC Kenan-Flagler? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The primary industries I worked for as a consultant were pharmaceuticals and healthcare, and I intend to continue working with them post-MBA. After extensive research, I knew UNC Kenan-Flagler was an ideal match for me as the school has a strong healthcare concentration program adjunct to the MBA. In addition, the school’s association with the North Carolina healthcare ecosystem offers numerous hands-on opportunities for students to pursue.
Another faucet that struck a chord with me was the inclusivity at UNC, and the school’s alumni are a testament to the same. Every Tar Heel I interacted with was eager to provide guidance and honest feedback. Needless to say, my very own classmates were my strongest support system when I faced challenges moving to the States. All these factors solidified my perception of the school’s supportive culture, which I am now proud to be a part of.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
Given my stint in data analytics for the healthcare industry, I hope to share my experiences with how data can be leveraged to identify pain points in an ecosystem and alleviate them. I am also looking forward to working closely with the Center for the Business of Health through pro-bono consulting projects to help improve patient journeys and make healthcare more accessible.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am a self-proclaimed bookworm. I have read over 478 novels so far, and I aim to hit 500 before I finish business school.
Post-MBA career interests:
BioPharma brand management/strategy consulting
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Introspection is a vital part of the application process. I spent significant time picking out instances from my journey that resonated with my values and goals. If I had to do it again, this is one step I would never skip as it is essential to tell your unique unfiltered story the right way.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I tend to get hung up on numbers to boost my profile. Colleges look for well-rounded individuals who can contribute to a diverse cohort. I centered my applications around quantitative metrics and would change that to include a more human side.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The waiting is one part I would certainly skip. Whether it was admission decisions or visa appointments, the wait was the most anxiety-ridden phase. My cohort and seniors helped us through these tough times by creating a support group always eager to help. Zoom calls and group chats kept us going as we celebrated small wins and shared tips to make the transition easier.
What is your initial impression of the UNC Kenan-Flagler students/culture/community?
UNC Kenan-Flagler’s class of 2024 has students from over 27 countries and represents a diverse community that celebrates differences. The representation of women is similarly exceptionally high this year. I discovered that the school has an abundance of diversity clubs where every student can attain a sense of belonging.
What is one thing you have learned about UNC Kenan-Flagler that has surprised you?
As someone with an engineering background, classes always involved a massive amount of information delivered in an intimidating way. I was pleasantly surprised by how fun classes are at UNC Kenan-Flagler. Professors incorporate real-world anecdotes and even funny commercials to make the subject matter more relatable.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Juggling classes, social events and recruiting seems like a daunting task that I am anxious about. The alumni rightly term the phase as “drinking from a firehose.”
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited about participating in student-led consulting projects under the STAR (Student Teams Achieving Results) program. The school also has attractive overseas opportunities where students spend a week studying business problems endemic to specific regions in different countries.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
The silver lining around the pandemic for me was that it boosted my interest in the healthcare field. COVID-19 exposed a lot of glaring holes in the managed care sphere. This motivated me to align my goals to make healthcare more accessible and pursue an MBA that provides the right toolkit.
