Employability, alumni connections — that made my giant leap possible

To Eesha Patel, connections defined her selection of Purdue University and the success of her time at the Big Ten university. And it helped launch the career of the May 2020 graduate as a financial analyst for Microsoft at its Seattle headquarters.

Management Ambassadors. Case Competitions. A vast global alumni network. World-renowned faculty in the Krannert School of Management. Connections were pivotal the many small steps she took at Purdue to propel her career.

“Through these, I was able to work closely with distinguished faculty on campus, which helped me grow professionally and personally. These experiences provided the opportunity to personally network with individuals in industry and display my talents,” says Eesha, an industrial management major with concentrations in engineering and analytical consulting.

Making the most of her time at Purdue, Eesha won the Kelley-Krannert case competition and served as a campus representative for Forté, a Texas-based nonprofit focused on elevating women to leadership. She also was director of engagement for Management Ambassadors, ran Krannert’s Instagram page and blogged for her school.

To cap off her collegiate career, the Presidential Scholar recipient was one of five students selected to speak during Purdue’s May 2020 virtual commencement ceremony.

“What’s fantastic about Purdue is its extensive alumni database and how it can help launch a career,” says Eesha, originally from San Jose, California. “Most Purdue alums are so excited to share their career path with students, personally recruit and give advice whenever they can.”