By Shrutik Dode, MS Management Science Graduate
The professors, my classmates, non-teaching staff and every single person I had any interaction with offered help, taught me something new, motivated me to push my boundaries, and showed me how to do things differently than I already knew.
A Rocky Start
After studying engineering for four years, working more than six years in the industry and successfully launching my own business venture, I made another life-altering decision to pursue my master’s in management science at the Jindal School of Management. Frankly, I was skeptical. I was not sure I could transition back into student life after such a long academic gap. The first semester was brutal for me, not because the classes were difficult but because I never asked for help.Finding My Academic Community
Everything changed when I met some awesome people. The professors, my classmates, non-teaching staff, and every single person I had any interaction with offered help, taught me something new, motivated me to push my boundaries and showed me new ways of doing things. When I realized my time here as a student was flying by, I decided to experience everything the school has to offer. Whether that meant having lively discussions with the professors and classmates, watching movies at the Meteor Theater, playing pool at the student union, having debates in the library conference rooms, playing guitar at the Plinth, volunteering at the comet cupboard, assisting with the numerous club activities or simply strolling around the campus. It always feels like there is so much more left to do.Feeling Proud and Grateful
In a few days, I will be graduating with Honors. I send my deepest gratitude to all my awesome professors and the bright people involved in the Management Science program. Along with all the fond memories, the most important advice I could give is to ask for help when needed, be kind, give help wherever you can, and, best of all, keep learning – never settle.“There is no passion to be found in playing small — in settling for a life that is less than you are capable of living.” — Nelson Mandela
