Full-time MBA | Namankita Rana

Hometown
Plainsboro, NJ

Undergraduate
School: Stevens Institute of Technology
Major/Minor: Engineering Management

Previous Industry/Company
Quant at Bank of America

Summer Internship
PJT Partners

Specializations at Stern
Finance, Sustainable Business

Student Clubs
Incoming President of Stern Follies
Social VP for Stern Student Government
Previously AVP Diversity for Graduate Finance Association (GFA)

It's such a cliche, but Stern's self-professed eye for EQ really showed in the people I met during the accepted students' weekend. I just knew these were the people I wanted as my classmates for the next two years!

This isn't preparation per se, but if you can, try and attend the student-organized Hamptons' party in the summer! It makes socializing much less daunting when you actually start classes.

I loved Professor Richard Hendler's 'Business Law' class. It's exactly what it sounds like -- a crash course on the law as is most relevant for anyone working in business. It's an extremely practical class to take regardless of your long term career goals, and Professor Hendler is one of the loveliest, most generous people I've ever interacted with. Plus, the anecdotes he shares in class are equal parts entertaining and delightful, ensuring you remember what you've been taught long after class ends.

Easier said than done, but try to come in with a plan, because once you hit campus things really do move at 100 mph. This is especially true if you're recruiting for an industry that dominates in the fall (banking or consulting). That being said, also be prepared to throw away the plan (or at least, some aspects of it) at a moment's notice -- business school comes with lots of surprises, whether that's who you befriend, what clubs you join, or what you find yourself doing.

No advice, but really just an affirmation to power through, because it'll all be worth it in the end. Although it wasn't my initial plan coming into Stern, I recruited for investment banking in the fall. Nothing prepares you for how tough that process is! While some days it did feel like I was going through 10 different character arcs in the span of a few hours, it also resulted in a tremendous amount of personal growth and an offer from a company I'm positively ecstatic to be interning for this summer.

I am proud to be part of Stern Follies, the school's comedy and musical club, and I'm serving as the incoming co-president this year. Joining Stern Follies was really something of a whim - I was a hobbyist writer before Stern, but had never broached any kind of comedy writing, per se. I saw Follies as a way to keep my creative muscles active and maybe meet some other cool people. I went on to write, direct and produce a significant portion of this year's show. I even had some small cameos, and got some exposure to running things with Skirball tech backstage. All that work paid off handsomely -- there was truly nothing more rewarding than getting to put on a great show for all my classmates, and to see my fellow cast and crew members show off their talents! Next year will bring even more of that, and I'm so excited for it!

Oh, goodness, where do I begin? I am a member of the EmpowHER cohort, which is focused on sustainability, and have loved all the professional and personal development I've gotten with those folks. The strength of the bonds forged during IB recruiting is not something that can be aptly put into words, but I will always be rooting for my (soon to be) bankers. The Follies producers, cast and crew are some of the most wonderfully creative, funny people I've ever met. And outside of all that, I've found friends who have completely different personal and professional goals, but who chose to be friends with me for me, and vice versa. I am truly happy with all the connections I've made here.

The Graduate Finance Association (GFA) does a phenomenal job of getting IB prospectives recruiting ready. Whatever they tell you to do, just do it. It will all make sense in the end.

It hasn't happened yet, but I will be doing an exchange semester at London Business School (LBS) in the fall! Excited to see what comes of that.