Aravind Srinivasan

University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith Business School

“Driven, goal – oriented, independent and a compassionate individual with a thirst for knowledge.”

Hometown: Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Fun fact about yourself: I developed a passion for playing the piano

Undergraduate School and Degree: Sathyabama University, Mechanical Engineering

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Samvardhana Motherson Group, Sales

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Synechron, Columbia, Maryland

Where will you be working after graduation? Undecided

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• President of the International MBA Association
• Graduate Assistantship, Office of Career Services
• Smith Social Chair for Orientation 2023

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am proud of my role as President of the International MBA Association (IMBAA) during my time in business school. This role involved extensive self-learning, community involvement, team management, and engagement with multiple stakeholders. With the support of an amazing team and the backing of the university, we successfully hosted significant events, such as “Diwali,” which were well-received and celebrated by the community. This experience taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, effective communication, and the importance of fostering a collaborative environment. It also honed my ability to navigate challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, and drive initiatives that bring people together, enriching my personal and professional growth.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I led a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focusing on environmental sustainability by designing and distributing eco-friendly outdoor dustbins in public areas to improve waste management and community health. Despite facing logistical issues, community resistance, and financial constraints, we overcame these through educational outreach, logistical optimizations, and collaboration with local authorities. The project aimed to reduce litter and pollution, while promoting environmental responsibility. It received positive feedback from the community and officials for its proactive approach to CSR.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose this business school for its strong alumni network, which I discovered through positive feedback from both current students and alumni. Their experiences highlighted the school’s lasting value and support, crucial for my education and future career. Engaging with alumni revealed the curriculum’s real-world applications, professional development opportunities, and a strong sense of community. The network promised to enhance my education and offer valuable career and networking prospects. Additionally, the option for a dual MBA and MS Business Analytics degree aligned with my professional goals, offering a unique blend of business and analytical skills.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? It is hard to choose one professor as each has contributed to my learning & growth. However, if pressed to select just one, I would highlight Prof. Judy Frels, our marketing professor, for her teaching approach and impact on my learning journey. Prof. Frels integrated current events into our classroom discussions which closed the gap between theoretical concepts and their practical applications in a real-world scenario. This methodology not only aided our understanding, but also enhanced our ability to apply marketing principles thought. Her assignments on Segmenting, Targeting, and Positioning and the MARKSTRAT game insights into market analysis, strategy formulation, and decision-making processes, equipping me with valuable skills that were directly applicable in job interviews.

Furthermore, Prof. Frels showed support and flexibility outside the classroom. She accommodated a last-minute request for a discussion about an upcoming interview, providing guidance on potential questions and strategies for success. This personalized attention and mentorship were pivotal in my preparation and confidence, ultimately contributing significantly to securing a full-time role.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course during the MBA program was “Introduction to Global Business Experience: Doing Business in Brazil.” This course offered a ton of insights into the complexities and opportunities associated with conducting business in emerging markets. Our immersive trip to Brazil stood out as a highlight, providing us with a firsthand look at the operational, cultural, and strategic challenges businesses face in such economies. Engaging directly with companies across diverse sectors allowed us to understand the nuances of navigating business landscapes in developing countries.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Reflecting on my MBA journey, one adjustment I’d make is prioritizing my health and well-being from the start. I am often told that the MBA experience is often likened to juggling between social, academic, and career-centric activities, with the common belief being you can only handle two effectively at a time. However, I’ve come to realize the importance of adding a fourth dimension, which is personal health. I would have benefitted from establishing a solid routine for my well-being much earlier in the program.

What is the biggest myth about your school? Contrary to the widespread belief that international students face obstacles in the job search, my experience debunked this myth. Initial apprehensions about job prospects in a new country were quickly alleviated by the proactive support from the Office of Career Services. They offered a realistic overview of the job market, its challenges, and effective job-hunting strategies. Through personalized coaching sessions, I refined my resume, improved my “Tell Me About Yourself” pitches, developed Situation-Action-Result (SAR) stories, and learned about job search tactics.

The turning point came with my participation in career conferences, encouraged by my career coach. Although challenging at first, these conferences proved crucial in my job search, ultimately leading to a job offer. This experience illustrated that, contrary to the myths, the university provided ample resources and support to help navigate the job search process successfully, even for international students.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? What I truly liked about my business school’s town was its passion for football. The stadium would come alive with all showing support for the Maryland team by wearing red and creating a lively mix of friendship and excitement.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I deeply admire Prathiba Pandiarajan for her remarkable capacity to manage a heavy workload while remaining calm and collected under pressure. Her generosity and genuine concern for others are truly commendable. Prathiba consistently goes out of her way to check in on her peers with a warm, “Hey! How are things?” showcasing her caring nature. What stands out most about her is her selflessness; she contributes immensely without expecting anything in return. A memorable instance of this was after an event when most had left, Prathiba stayed back with a few of us to clean up the venue until late into the night, demonstrating her dedication and team spirit. Beyond this, her involvement in the MBA Association, along with her roles as a teaching assistant and a graduate assistant, exemplifies her commitment to the community and her exceptional ability to balance multiple responsibilities gracefully.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? 

1. I aspire to become proficient in marketing management, analytics, and data-driven decision making.

2. I’m passionate about launching a startup in the manufacturing sector, focusing on innovation and efficiency.

What made Aravind such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Aravind Srinivasan is most definitely one of our “best and brightest” at Smith! I have the good fortune to teach the full-time MBAs only 2 months after they’ve arrived on campus, so they know each other well but the experience is still relatively new to them.  It took a few class sessions before I realized the hidden diamond that this class had in having Aravind as part of their cohort. Aravind brought very valuable work experience with him to the MBA, having worked in B2B sales in the automotive industry.  He had a wealth of very practical sales experience and with his sales experience, he brought a real-world connection to our marketing class. He was able to share stories about working with some of the most well-respected brands in the world and was able to support some of our B2B topics with his own experiences. He also asked questions that were two to three layers deeper than someone without his experience would be able to ask. All this knowledge is embedded in his generous, almost humble, demeanor, a warm smile, and an easy laugh. These traits, along with his experience and his MBA, will make him a strong, effective, sought-after leader in whatever industry he selects for the next stage of his career!”

Judy Frels
Academic Director, MS in Marketing Analytics 
Senior Fellow for Executive Development Programs
Clinical Professor of Marketing

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024