“The Illinois MBA is not just a program – it is a life in itself.” This is how second-year MBA student Aarti Ranganathan describes her Illinois MBA experience. From her involvement in Illinois Business Consulting (IBC) to the MBA basketball team, Aarti is totally engaged in the program.

Aarti joined the Illinois MBA after working as a Quality Assurance Engineer with Tech Mahindra, Ltd. in India. She was responsible for a variety of tasks but soon realized that in order to advance her career to the next level she would need an MBA degree. Illinois offered the program that was the best fit for her.  Reflecting on her choice to attend Illinois, she knows she made the right decision: “The fast-paced curriculum and wide variety of course offerings has provided me with enough opportunities to learn exactly what career path I want to take. The Career Services staff helped me prepare myself for the job search and provided helpful advice.”

Illinois Business Consulting (IBC) has been the highlight of her Illinois MBA experience. She says, “The consulting experience I have gained from IBC has been phenomenal. I have worked with organizations ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.” The projects in which she has been involved have allowed her to develop skills in the following areas: marketing strategy, investment proposals for venture capitalists, financial modeling, and process improvement.

Last summer Aarti worked with Sears Holdings Corporation as a K-mart Stores Operations Intern. Her role was to develop strategies to improve the performance of struggling stores. Following graduation she hopes to land a position in a rotational program involving supply chain and operational strategy.