Shaping the Kind of Professional I Want to Become
Learning Inside and Outside the Classroom
Illinois Tech creates an experience that helps you grow academically, professionally, and personally, says Janvi Kansara.
Janvi Kansara (M.B.A. Business Analytics 2nd Year)“One of the biggest strengths of my program is that it almost feels like a dual degree,” Janvi Kansara (M.B.A. Business Analytics 2nd Year) says about the M.B.A. Business Analytics program at Illinois Tech’s Stuart School of Business. “I get to build a strong foundation in business while also gaining technical and analytical skills, which is something I specifically wanted coming from a non-technical background.”
“The program is practical, well-structured, and designed to help students actually apply what they learn,” she says, which helped her gain her footing and develop competence in technical areas such as database design, SQL, and predictive analytics. In addition, Janvi notes, Illinois Tech faculty begin with the basics and build the learning from there, and they always encourage students to ask questions.
“It has pushed me out of my comfort zone, while also giving me the support I needed to grow,” Janvi says.
Among the M.B.A. courses, she says, “Leadership and Organizational Behavior stood out because it bridged theory with practice and prepared me to handle real managerial challenges with confidence, professionalism, and integrity.”
The Marketing Strategy course was another highly engaging course, says Janvi. Each course session focused on a marketing case study, which made the learning process interactive and discussion driven, and experienced marketing professionals were brought in as guest speakers to share practical insights, career advice, and industry perspectives.
Coming to 鶹APP from Mumbai, India, Janvi appreciates Illinois Tech’s diverse student population and respect for cultural difference. “Being surrounded by people from different countries and backgrounds has given me global exposure and broadened my perspective,” she says. “The inclusive environment made me feel valued, supported, and truly part of the campus community.”
Illinois Tech is a place where academics and student life go hand in hand, according to Janvi, and in her case that has included opportunities to work in two on-campus jobs and plug into activities such as the Indian Student Association. “The learning at Illinois Tech goes far beyond the classroom,” she says. “Professionally, my on-campus jobs, interactions with advisers, and exposure to career resources helped me understand workplace expectations in the United States.”
“Being in 鶹APP has also exposed me to real-world business environments that feel closely connected to what I am studying,” she says, including networking events, presentations by employers hosted on campus, and opportunities to have conversations with professionals working across industries. “The city itself becomes part of your education and constantly pushes you to think bigger about your career and future.”
“Illinois Tech has helped shape not just my skill set, but also the way I think about responsibility, growth, and the kind of professional I want to become,” Janvi says. “It is an experience that helps you grow academically, professionally, and personally.”
“In the long term, I want to work in roles where I can combine analytics, strategy, and communication to solve real-world problems and drive meaningful change,” she says. “I want my work to have an impact that goes beyond numbers and results.”