Rahul Sankar
Meet Rahul Sankar, a third-year Management Information Systems (MIS) major and transfer into the Canfield Business Honors Program (Canfield BHP). Armed with a genuine passion for business and technology, Rahul has leveraged his education and connections to thrive in a range of professional roles.
Rahul’s academic journey began with a practical consideration: UT Austin’s McCombs offered the most affordable education among his options. However, he was pleasantly surprised to discover the benefits of a large student body (among other benefits, including living amid the vibrancy of Austin, Texas). Still, Rahul wanted to enhance his business education. Thus, he transferred into Canfield BHP to surround himself with similarly ambitious students, maximize his potential for growth, and gain access to a rich alumni network.
Joining Canfield BHP introduced Rahul to a different academic landscape, characterized by smaller class settings, repeated interactions with the same group of students, and a focus on group projects and presentations. Enjoying this sense of community, Rahul has formed lasting connections with his peers. Furthermore, the program’s emphasis on group work and public speaking has proven instrumental in honing his skills.
In college, Rahul wasted no time positioning himself for professional success. Facing initial rejection from on-campus organizations his freshman year, he invested his time in building relationships with upperclassmen, peers, and professionals. These connections eventually led to a summer internship at Deloitte following his freshman year and leadership positions within various UT organizations.
Rahul’s internship journey reflects his dynamic interests. From exploring product management in a startup environment at Gist to consulting at Deloitte, he gained diverse insights into the business world. As a Product Analyst at Capital One, Rahul showcased his ability to develop real-time dashboards and investigate thousands of apps using SQL. His latest role as a Software Engineer at Scraps Audio underscored his commitment to expanding his technical knowledge, particularly in real-world applications. Rahul looks forward to continuing to grow professionally and contribute to real initiatives through his upcoming Product Management Internship at Capital One.
Rahul’s academic choices – studying MIS and Computer Science while being a part of Canfield BHP – have positioned him at the sweet spot where business meets technology, ideal for his preferred role in product management. Engaging with professors and serving as a Teaching Assistant (four times now) has enriched his understanding of certain subjects and helped him garner some notable recommendation letters. Furthermore, his active involvement in organizations like HeadStart and Texas Momentum has also filled in gaps in Rahul’s knowledge. With access to large student networks, Rahul has been able to better prepare for roles and interviews.
Rahul’s most pivotal college experience, though, has been founding on-campus organizations. By throwing himself into the unknown and trying to build something from scratch, Rahul truly learned how to build relationships with his superiors and effectively manage teams.
Reflecting on his journey, Rahul emphasizes that there is no singular path to success. In the competitive atmosphere of Canfield BHP, it’s easy to compare accolades, but Rahul encourages his peers to recognize their individual journeys. Consistent self-investment, he believes, is the key to earning one’s deserved success.
In short, Rahul Sankar’s story is one of strategic choices, academic prowess, and a commitment to continuous growth. As Rahul continues his education and professional journey, his drive and experiences are sure to guide him towards a promising future at the intersection of business and technology.