Perveen Gulati ’19 Pioneers Her Path

Victor Mullins, associate dean of the undergraduate program at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, recently interviewed Smith Sophomore Perveen Gulati ’19 to discuss how she is “pioneering her path” during her Smith Journey. She is earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Information Systems.

So what does the Smith journey entail? During their freshman year, Smith students begin to build their personal brand through the SmithStart program. Sophomores dedicate their second year to pioneering their path to success by focusing on an overall academic and career strategy. Junior year focuses on students taking command of their careers during to ensure that they are well positioned for their professional journey. Finally, as a senior with an arsenal of tools, knowledge, and networks, Smith students are able to embrace their experience and celebrate their success.

Dean Mullins: Reflect on how you “built your brand” during your freshmen year.

Perveen: My freshman year at Smith was a journey for me both professionally and personally. I was suddenly surrounded by individuals who were as motivated as me to pursue their goals and dreams in life. I knew I had to begin the process of differentiating myself and my personal brand and there was no time to lose! Smith gave me so many unique opportunities to tackle the situation at hand. From becoming a teaching assistant for one of my favorite business courses to joining one of the handful of business fraternities at Smith, I began to discover what I am truly passionate about and where my strengths lie.

Dean Mullins: How about your sophomore year? How are you pioneering your path? I do recognize that this year is still beginning.

Perveen: Establishing my brand was only the first step towards my goal for this year: pioneering my path. This year is all about developing my network, gaining experience, and continuing to learn as I carve out a plan for my future. I am utilizing the resources that Smith has to offer to the fullest extent to help me on my path. From attending the sponsored networking sessions to meeting dozens of professionals at the career fairs, Smith is guiding me along to my dream career. I am also gaining tangible work experience along the way: I work for the Office of Global Initiatives at Smith as well as the Smith Undergraduate Program Office. I hope to take the network, skills, and knowledge I have gained from Smith to command my career in the future.

Dean Mullins: What advice would you give to your peers?

Perveen: My biggest piece of advice would be to tap into the huge network that Smith offers. There is a plethora of successful alumni who are now living across the country and across the world. Smith boasts alumni in the Big Four, the big banks, local companies, non-profits, and just about every type of company or organization you could think of. I have contacted alumni from Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch (the list goes on) and all are very receptive and wiling to help out a fellow Terp!

Dean Mullins: How are you making your mark on campus?

Perveen: I do not believe one has to do something extremely extravagant or celebratory to make their mark on campus. I am passionate about helping others which is why I hope to make my mark on campus through being a positive influence and making a lasting impact on my younger peers. I am currently a Peer Mentor for the Business, Society, and Economy College Park Scholars program, where I work with nine other mentors to plan and teach weekly business-oriented lessons to the eighty freshmen in the program. I hope that the skills and personal experiences we bring to the students will be passed down to next year’s mentors and so on and so forth!

Dean Mullins: What is your dream?

Perveen: My dream is to simply be happy. I want to be happy when I wake up in the morning. I want to be happy on the project I am working on at my job. I want to be happy with my family and the friends I choose to surround myself with. I want to be happy when I go to sleep at night. For me, success does not bring me happiness. Happiness brings me success. In terms of career goals, my dream is to work on Wall Street once I graduate from Smith as a research analyst and later pursue my MBA. I also want to travel the world and visit as many countries as I can in my lifetime.

Dean Mullins: Why are you passionate about the Smith School?

Perveen: I made some of my closest friends here--people who are extremely motivated and driven and continue to push me to put my best foot forward in everything that I do. I have also had the privilege to learn from and work with some of the most engaging faculty and staff at the university. Smith has truly allowed me to explore my interests and take charge of my own career and life. I will be forever grateful to my wonderful Smith family.

For more information about the undergraduate program at Smith, visit: www.rhsmith.umd.edu/undergrad.