Kenneth Datta
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2023
Majors: Finance
Minor/Certificate: Certificate Program in Business Analytics, Chinese and Economics Minors
Hometown: San Diego, California
Internships: JPMorgan Chase & Co., Consumer and Community Banking (CCB): Summer analyst in the Finance, Data, and Insights team; JPMorgan, Asset & Wealth Management (AWM): Summer analyst in the Wealth Management Solutions division; 1486 Labs, Head of Market Strategy
Student Organizations: Phi Beta Lambda/FBLA – Professional Business Organization, Panther Equity, Asian Student Alliance, Chinese-American Students Association, Cantonese Students Association, Habitat for Humanity
Plans after Graduation: Accepted full-time employment at JPMorgan within Wealth Management Solutions
Hobbies: Cooking, building computers & electronics, metalworking, CAD & 3D printing, tennis
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Piadas!
Favorite Place on Campus: Mervis! It is a fantastic place to study and collaborate with others in the business school! I have spent countless hours in the building learning a wide variety of topics and developing a rapport with professors and peers. The facility itself is well-equipped for any type of event or learning engagement as well!
My Pitt Business Story: As a student who freshly entered the realm of business as a first-year, I believed that Pitt was perfect for me. I found the environment both welcoming and academically challenging, topped with a fantastic staff that actively engaged the student body. Pitt Business provided the ideal place for me to explore my own passions within business and to pursue what truly interested me. This very environment allowed me to get involved with countless activities and opportunities, each contributing to the person and professional that I am today. Looking back, even I could not have predicted the sheer magnitude of support and mentorship that I have had the privilege of receiving. It is in this way that Pitt surpassed the high expectations that I had initially and has gifted me the best possible foundation that an aspiring business professional could ask for.
Lauren Gallagher
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Major: Marketing
Minors/Certificates: Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies Minor, Certificate Program in International Business
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Internships: Marketing Intern for the Chicago Park District; Social Media and Marketing Intern for the Global Undergraduate Awards
Student Organizations: American Marketing Association, Pitt Club Softball
Study Abroad: International Internship Program: Dublin – I lived and worked for two months in Dublin, Ireland along with other American students. I worked for a non-profit company in social media and marketing and spent a lot of time learning different cultural aspects within the workplace and through my other experiences in the city.
Hobbies: Listening to music, drinking lots of coffee, hanging out with friends, watching New Girl
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Roots
Favorite Place on Campus: Schenley Plaza, especially when it’s warm outside! I love doing homework or studying at a table or in the grass and having an amazing view of Cathy right in front of me. There are always tons of students out there when it is nice, and some are reading, suntanning, playing sports or just talking to friends. I love the energy there!
My Pitt Business Story: Choosing Pitt was easy after I realized it had everything I needed. An urban campus within an interconnected city, and a pocket that was just for students, making it feel less urban and more like a small campus. My freshman year, I immediately became involved in everything I set my mind to and am still able to continue to do so without feeling overextended. I’ve found communities in every aspect of my experience here and cannot imagine myself anywhere else. Pitt Business has provided a challenging but interesting education, resources to build my confidence and professional skills and a network of peers, staff and professionals that will support me for years after I graduate.
Haley Johnson
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Majors: Supply Chain Management and Marketing
Minors/Certificates: Economics, Certificate Program in Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Internships: Sunny Day Fund (a FinTech startup) as a Sales & Marketing Intern
Student Organizations: Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association, Phi Beta Lambda-FBLA, Women in Business
Hobbies: Going on walks, cooking, and watching reality TV
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Roots!
Favorite Place on Campus: My favorite place on campus is Hillman Library because you have the option to study quietly or socialize with your friends depending on the floor you go on. I also love the team rooms in Sennott Square!
My Pitt Business Story: I applied to 13 other schools before even considering Pitt! As soon as I took an official tour, I felt so welcome and knew I wanted to be a part of the amazing culture on campus. Pitt Business especially feels like such a strong community, and offers the resources to ensure success to those that utilize them. I feel supported by my professors, advisors, student organizations, and many others in Pitts Business, and I am so grateful to be here!
Vanessa Kern
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Majors: Marketing, Business Information Systems
Minors/Certificates: Certificate Program in Leadership and Ethics
Hometown: Manalapan, NJ
Internships: Gallagher, Sales Intern – I enhanced my sales experience through insurance industry training in the crane and scaffolding field and hands-on presentation practice. I also earned leadership exposure, mentorship opportunities, and participated in a nation-wide sales competition where I “sold” an insurance plan to executive Gallagher judges acting as a crane company.
Honduras Green Travel as a Marketing Consultant – I worked with the CEO of a Pittsburgh startup to assist in creating a business plan and create her marketing strategy and social media.
Student Organizations: Phi Chi Theta Professional Business Fraternity, American Marketing Association
Study Abroad: Virtual Plus3 Dublin – This was a one-month, virtual study abroad opportunity where I worked on a virtual consulting project with a Dublin startup. I also did the Virtual Leadership in a Global Context Program where I participated in simulations to test and improve my leadership abilities and global intelligence.
Hobbies: Crafts, hiking, reading
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Atarashi
Favorite Place on Campus: Sennott Square
My Pitt Business Story: I knew I had to go to Pitt after my very first meeting with a Pitt Business academic advisor during my senior year of high school. Right off the bat, I came to understand the resources that Pitt Business offers to each individual student and the opportunities that would come from this. Throughout my time at Pitt, all the implemented programs and corresponding staff have helped me feel like I am truly taking advantage of my college experience. I am very appreciative of my experiences with Pitt Business so far and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for me with Pitt Business.
Lindsey Kung
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2023
Majors: Marketing
Minors/Certificates: Certificate Program in International Business, Certificate Program in Leadership and Ethics
Hometown: Media, PA
Internships: Pitt Eats Marketing Intern; Bolt PR Public Relations Intern; JPMorgan Chase: Chase Leadership Development Program- Summer Analyst
Plans after Graduation: Accepted full-time employment at JPMorgan Chase as part of the Chase Leadership Development Program rotational program
Student Organizations: Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity, Women in Business
Study Abroad: GBI: London, Spring 2022
Hobbies: Painting, hiking, exploring Pittsburgh- trying new restaurants and visiting museums
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Fuel & Fuddle
Favorite Place on Campus: Posvar Patio! Located (kinda) between the two main business buildings, Sennott Square and Mervis, Posvar Patio is my favorite place to do work outside. The patio is a little hidden so not that many people go there unless there’s an event, and it has lots of different outdoor seating options.
My Pitt Business Story: Being from outside of Philly, I always thought of Pitt as a big state school and was nervous and overwhelmed coming in. But, since coming to Pitt and being a part of Pitt Business, I have experienced time over time the welcoming and warm environment of the school despite it being in a big city. As such a large institution, Pitt has offered me so many unique and diverse opportunities throughout my four years, such as the opportunity to study abroad. My semester in London was by far one of the best experiences I’ve had as a Pitt student and is one unique to Pitt Business. Additionally, Pitt Business offers a variety of student organizations, and joining them is how I met some of my closest friends that I’ve had since my freshman year. As a senior now, I’ve seen how much I’ve grown since committing to Pitt as a high school senior, and much of that is due to the supportive environment at Pitt Business.
Meredith Lauzon
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2023
Majors: Finance and Marketing
Hometown: Bryn Mawr, PA
Internships: PNC as a Capital Markets Intern with the Financial Institutions Group; Investment Banking Intern at InCap Group
Plans after Graduation: Accepted full-time employment at PNC as a Capital Markets Analyst
Student Organizations: Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity, Kappa Delta Sorority
Hobbies: Spending time with friends, reading, and exercising
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Fuel & Fuddle
Favorite Place on Campus: Sennott Square
My Pitt Business Story: As a senior in high school, I wanted a small university with a great business school. Being from Pennsylvania, I overlooked Pitt initially as I thought I wanted to expand my horizons outside the state at a smaller university. I ended up hastily choosing Pitt after hearing great things about the Business school and being intrigued by the opportunities within the city of Pittsburgh as a whole. However, I was still wary of the size of the university after I had my heart set on a small school feel. I was immediately ecstatic to find that through Pitt Business, I found the community and closeness I was looking for within the University as a whole. I even grew to appreciate all the benefits of the larger campus and student population surrounding Pitt Business. Needless to say, I made the right choice. Pitt Business gave me the tools to pursue my interests and forge a path to my future career with confidence.
Sean McDonald
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Majors: Finance and Accounting
Minors/Certificates: Certificate Program in Business Analytics, Minor in Economics
Hometown: Downingtown, PA
Internships: Riskfree Tax as a Tax Intern; Pitt Athletics as a Business Analytics Intern
Student Organizations: Panther Equity Student Investment Fund, Club Running at Pitt
Hobbies: Running, movies, music
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Pamela’s
Favorite Place on Campus: Mervis Hall! I love walking into the building knowing that I am about to be surrounded by people that are just as dedicated to their academics as me, if not more. Nothing beats the view of walking out of the finance lab around sunset and seeing all the warm colors out of the back windows, as the sun sets on Oakland.
My Pitt Business Story: As a high school student trying to find my home for a few years, I aimed to be at the school that gave me the best opportunity for success following graduation. Pitt quickly became my top choice because of the rigor of academics, its placement so close to a city, and the opportunities that were offered. After being here for a few years, I can confidently say that Pitt Business has far exceeded my expectations, giving me everything I could want and more – challenging classes, extremely willing and dedicated staff and faculty, students with the same desire to succeed, and a network of very helpful alumni that will never fail to amaze me.
Szymon Pytlarczyk
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2023
Majors: Finance and Supply Chain Management
Minors/Certificates: Economics
Hometown: Warsaw, Poland
Internships: Finance intern in Xela Robotics, Japanese Start-up based in Tokyo; Goldman Sachs- Summer Analyst in Corporate Treasury
Plans after Graduation: TOP SECRET ?
Student Organizations: Panther Equity
Hobbies: Watching movies, reading books, swimming
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Roots
Favorite Place on Campus: Mervis Hall. Every time I am there, I can see my fellow business students and I can always find someone I can talk to. Despite that, it is also my favorite place to study
My Pitt Business Story: When choosing a college, I wanted to make sure to pick a good school located in a city with a great job market. The thing about Pitt and Pitt Business is that we are both a good school and are in the heart of Pittsburgh. Additionally, we cooperate with companies like Deloitte, BNY Mellon and PNC – and that is what really made me choose Pitt Business.
Meenu Ramasamy
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2023
Majors: Finance
Hometown: Dublin, CA
Internships: Internal Audit Intern at J.P. Morgan Chase; Business Operations Intern at Blanket and Board
Student Organizations: Smart Woman Securities, SAFE (Sexual Assault Facilitation and Education Program), Theta Phi Alpha
Hobbies: Being outdoors, reading, going out with friends, napping, refreshing my email app
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: ROOTS!
Favorite Place on Campus: It would have to be Hillman Library – sometimes I go in there and realize half my friends are sitting there too. It is the one place all my friends throughout the different colleges end up going to during or after their classes. I end up talking to people and getting through only part of my work. While it may be counterproductive for me, I now go to Hillman waiting to be surprised at who I might see.
My Pitt Business Story: Coming far from home, I was looking for a college that was in a big city but also felt like a small town and 4 years later, that is exactly how I would describe Pitt. I came to Pitt as a Neuroscience and Political Science major. After taking an Economics course during COVID, I realized I loved the business side of things so much more. I transferred to the business school at the end of sophomore year and have never looked back. I have had such amazing experiences and have met so many interesting people who are here to help me and everyone else in the business school reach their goals. The best thing about the business school though is how small it is. It feels like a community because as I walk through Sennott I see people I know every single time. I had the opportunity to try so many different things here, from the Digital Marketing Institute to the Consulting Club and all these experiences have gotten me to where I am today. As a senior, I feel prepared to enter the job market, and put to use the skills Pitt Business has taught me.
Bethany Woodcock
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2023
Majors: Finance and Marketing
Minors/Certificates: Certificate Program in Leadership and Ethics
Hometown: Westborough, MA
Internships: BNY Mellon in Investment Management; Finance and Accounting Intern at Birgo Realty; and Marketing Intern at Know Thy Neighbor
Study Abroad: GBI Florence – On this program, I was able to take both International Finance and International Marketing which helped me to stay on path for graduating on time, while at the same time gaining international business exposure. This is so unique to Pitt Business; it helped me become a more developed person both intellectually and academically.
Student Organizations: Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity (President, Senior Vice President), Smart Woman Securities, Pitt Ski & Snowboard Club
Hobbies: Skiing, rollerblading, lifting, exploring new coffee shops in Pittsburgh
Favorite Professional Team: New England Patriots
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Shah’s Halal or Roots
Favorite Place on Campus: Honors College Area in the Cathedral (Floor 36). The stained glass is beautiful and the space itself is so peaceful. I can overlook all of Oakland while studying!
My Pitt Business Story: One would think that it would take a lot for a lifelong Patriots fan to go to school in Steelers Country, and trust me, I thought the same thing.
I applied to Pitt on a whim as a recommendation from my high school guidance counselor. I thought I would give it a tour, so I took a flight to Pittsburgh with my parents in the middle of February of 2019. It was snowing, raining, and sleeting, the weather honestly couldn’t have been worse.
That ended up being the day I told my dad, “You should buy the hat,” as we walked by the bookstore after our tours. With my two older sisters, the whole action of “buying the hat” actually meant: “Dad, this school is the one.” The Nike Pitt hat had joined his collection of his daughters’ college hats, but we all knew which one he was going to be sporting the most for the next four years.
The combination of the University and the city has given me an experience I don’t think I would have gotten anywhere else. In my lecture halls, the professors want to get to know us, and help tailor how they teach to the students based on who we are. I thought I would be a small fish in a large pond, but that isn’t the case at all. Pitt helps create a unique educational, professional, and social experience for every student. The Pitt faculty and staff are also extremely selfless. I can walk into anyone’s office, if I know them or not, and ask for help, and they will stop what they are doing to help me out. They all really care about their students, which doesn’t go unnoticed and creates an uplifting and motivating environment. Everyone wants the best for me and wants to me succeed (besides if it is NFL gameday!) and that is what consistently raises the standard for the trajectory of my future.
Lexis Wright
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2023
Majors: Marketing
Minors/Professional Certifications: Professional SCRUM Master
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Internships: James B. Tafel Endowed Internship Fund Recipient – Strong Women Strong Girls Human Resources Intern; Female Empowerment Mission Program Coordinator Intern; ALDI District Manager, Saxonburg Division Intern; American Eagle Outfitters – Aerie Brand Marketing Intern
Student Organizations: Roberto Clemente Minority Business Association (RCMBA), Black Senate
Hobbies: Dance, fashion, reading, exploring new cities
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: Roots Natural Kitchen!
Favorite Place on Campus: The Quad is my absolute favorite place on campus! When you walk into the quad, you truly feel emersed in the spirit of Pitt. There is nothing better than eating or studying outside with a group of friends at a table in the quad on a nice day!
My Pitt Business Story: Pitt Pride has always been a part of my family. After witnessing the immense growth and opportunities that my brothers experienced during their time at Pitt Business, I also hoped to become a Pitt Panther to share the same experiences. As soon as I sat in a Sennott classroom for the first time, I knew that Pitt Business was the place for me! The University of Pittsburgh, particularly Pitt Business, creates an environment that encourages and challenges everyone to grow personally and professionally. Pitt really is the place to be from fantastic student organizations, excellent career development services, knowledgeable professors, and numerous opportunities to develop and expand your professional networks. I am incredibly proud to be a Pitt student thus far, and I look forward to even more opportunities to experience!
Benjamin Zhu
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2023
Majors: Global Management and Supply Chain Management
Minors/Certificates: Applied Statistics, Economics, Chinese
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Internships: Research Intern at Pitt Business; Marketing Intern at Eat Me Chutneys; Operational Excellence Intern at PNC Bank
Student Organizations: Enactus, Chinese American Student Association, Atlantic Chinese American Student Alliance, and the Supply Chain Management Club
Study Abroad: Previously, I have participated in the International Consulting Project as part of Global Service Learning in Bolivia. It was a semester-long class, and I worked alongside other student consultants in supporting a nonprofit organization in Cochabamba.
Hobbies: Playing basketball, badminton, and video games (occasionally). I also like to read, travel, and drink tea!
Favorite Place to Eat on Campus: There are so many! I highly recommend Union Grill, Bao, and JJ Poke.
Favorite Place on Campus: I love the Cathedral of Learning. There are nationality rooms and secret study spots. It is a nice place to study, eat, and hang out with friends. Whether you want to play volleyball or take a peaceful walk, Cathy is the place to be!
My Pitt Business Story: One thing that I love about Pitt Business is how supportive the people are. From your academic advisors, peers, to the faculty, they are there to see you succeed from the classroom to the city, to the world. There are many unique resources (e.g. study abroad, career development, scholarships) that you can take advantage of. Your peers will push you to do and be better. Your professors will equip you with the foundation to succeed in the future. So long as you approach everything with an open mind, you will find yourself in a world of adventures and opportunities. College is truly what you make of it. The friends that you have made through Pitt Business and the network that you have built will all contribute to your success in the future. Hail to Pitt!
