Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business students come to learn, explore, and build community. As they move forward in their careers, they take everything they've learned and use it to power innovation in industries and businesses across the globe. Before graduating, we sat down with a few students to find out what they've learned and what advice they want to give to other students.
Meet Anjali Natvar, who is graduating with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Health and Medical Sciences.
Where are you from?
Duluth, Georgia
Where did you attend high school?
Peachtree Ridge High School
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business?
One of the biggest lessons I've learned from studying business is that it's not about what you know; it's about who you know. Throughout my time at Scheller, I quickly realized that connections are worth gold. The more I networked with alumni, fellow classmates, professors, etc., the more opportunities opened for me. Scheller does an amazing job of teaching the best networking practices for how to land your first internship, co-op, or dream job through various resources. For instance, Scheller's "Career Development" class, academic advisors, weekly newsletters, and announcements of local companies coming to Georgia Tech to specifically recruit Scheller undergraduate students are great ways to get started on your networking journey!
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field?
One piece of advice I would give to a student interested in pursuing a business-related field is to immerse yourself in your interests and not everyone else's. When I first came to Scheller, I felt the pressure to do what everyone else was doing because a certain job title seemed like the safest route, the clearest path, and the easiest way to make the most money in the shortest amount of time. If you are interested in a subject unheard of in business or even a less common industry, pursue it and stick to your decision because you are opening the path for other students around you who may have similar interests. Money is replaceable, but time is not, so stay true to who you are and fight for what you want. You never know who you'll inspire.
As a business student in the heart of Tech Square, how do you think Scheller College embodies the intersection of business and technology?
I can confidently say that Scheller has set a precedent for combining business and technology for the benefit of post-graduate success. During my first semester, I quickly realized I would be at a significant advantage in the corporate world because of the technical skills instilled in all my business classes. Scheller does an excellent job of crafting well-rounded business professionals who understand the necessary soft skills for succeeding in any business setting and amplifying their professional portfolio. One of my Scheller professors once said, "People lie, but numbers don't." I am very grateful to have attended an institution that recognizes and reacts to how quickly technological advancements are changing the course of business operations every day.
What was your favorite business course?
My favorite business course was "Legal Aspects of Business" with Professor Davis-Nozemack. This course is a mandatory portion of the business curriculum at Georgia Tech and is a great mix between a discussion and a traditional class. The course made me realize the legal implications of every business decision. Davis-Nozemack's personal anecdotes as a lawyer made me eager to learn more about corporate law and what to consider from a legal perspective when deciding to become an entrepreneur. Professor Davis-Nozemack provided a new lens for me when looking at how businesses operate daily, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Who is your favorite professor?
My favorite professor at Scheller is Tim Martin. Mr. Martin teaches operations management in a way that simplifies the most complex topics so everyone can apply his teachings to real-world scenarios. Any student in his class could tell you how passionate he is about the course topics and his students. He goes above and beyond the scope of being a professor by offering career advice to his students. His kindness and loyalty to his students is something that really shined during my time at Scheller.
What has surprised you most about majoring in business at Scheller College?
What surprised me the most about majoring in business at Scheller was how much of my growth as a business professional stemmed from my classmates. Not only are professors inspiring students at Scheller, but also the students themselves are inspiring each other. Having the privilege to sit alongside some of the nation's most brilliant and ambitious minds motivated me to become the best version of myself. Studying business administration at Scheller is an experience I can confidently say is tough to find at any other university simply because of the people who keep the spirit of the college alive every day. It truly is the happiest place on campus.
What were some of your extracurricular activities, community work and leadership roles during college?
During my time at Georgia Tech, I represented the business school as a Scheller Business Ambassador since my first year. As an ambassador, I served as a tour guide for prospective students, acted as a liaison between current students and the undergraduate program office, and volunteered for numerous events to amplify the undergraduate experience at Scheller. I have also been a competitive dancer for three years on the Georgia Tech Bhangra (GTB) dance team, having the honor of traveling across the nation and winning many competitions against some of the most talented collegiate teams in the dance circuit. I also volunteered as a medical assistant at the Good Samaritan Health Center, a local Atlanta clinic serving low-income families during the pandemic. As a volunteer, I translated for Spanish-speaking patients, took vital signs for pediatric and adult patients, and ran laboratory tests.
Which academic, extracurricular, or personal achievement are you most proud of?
The personal achievement I am most proud of was getting into Georgia Tech. When I was in my senior year of high school, my academic advisor told me the chances of being admitted as a Yellow Jacket were slim to none. Although I hate to admit it, she was right at the time. But Kris Jenner once said, "If someone says no, you're talking to the wrong person." So, I spent one year at Georgia State University working harder than I ever had before to reapply to my dream school with a 4.0 GPA, and just like that…my dream came true. I am proud to be a Yellow Jacket!
Where have you interned during your college career?
In 2021, I worked as a medical assistant intern with The Good Samaritan Health Center to assist physicians with the influx of Covid-19 patients in Atlanta. During the spring of 2022, I served as a product marketing intern at Dematic, a system software company located across from Scheller in the Coda Building. During the summer and fall semesters of 2022, I interned at Newell Brands in Atlanta as a brand marketing intern for their Baby Division.
Where will you be working after graduation?
After graduation, I will work as an enterprise strategy consultant at IBM in New York City.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you'd do differently in business school and why?
Looking back over my experience, I wish I'd connected more with first-generation Latino students like myself at Scheller. Coming from a low-income family, my time at Scheller was drastically different from my classmates. On top of a full load of classes, most first-generation students are working two to three jobs at a time to afford the next semester's tuition bill on top of navigating a completely new experience that no one in their family has ever gone through. I wish I had embraced my differences more to build a strong support system for future generations. If you are a prospective first-generation student or current first-generation Yellow Jacket, go out of your comfort zone to find students that are going through similar struggles. Support one another and grow together!
Which classmate do you most admire?
One classmate I admire the most is Aboubacar Barrie. Aboubacar quickly became one of my close friends at Scheller after he introduced himself as the CEO of his fashion brand "Forenaire." Aboubacar is one of the most inspiring students I have had the privilege to work with at Scheller. Aside from being an incredibly ambitious entrepreneur, he is unapologetically himself. I admire Aboubacar's resilience, humility, and positivity. Check out his clothing and accessories on social media @forenaire!
Who would you most want to thank for your success?
I want to thank my mother, Marta, for my success. Mamá, thank you for inspiring me to change “si se puede” to “si se pudo!" You are the reason I never thought about giving up. You are the reason I had the strength to pursue my dreams. You are the reason I continue to aim for the stars. I cannot thank you enough for showing me first-hand how far hard work and perseverance can take you. Te amo mucho!
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
The first item on my professional bucket list is to become an executive in the beauty industry. I would love to be the CMO of the latest trending beauty brand. The second item on my professional bucket list is to work in the top four fashion capitals of the world: Paris, London, New York, and Milan.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am practically addicted to Christmas. You can catch me listening to Christmas music in the middle of May or binge-watching "The Santa Clause" series on the hottest summer days.