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NARAYANAN RADHAKRISHNAN '10

Program: One-Year (1Y) Program
Nationality: American
Majors: Finance and Strategy
Educational background: Bachelor’s in finance and accounting, University of Michigan and Chartered Financial Analyst
Current Position: Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs
Sponsored by a company: No

                                 
Why did you pursue an MBA, and in particular, why the 1Y program?
I chose to pursue an MBA to receive a well-rounded education with a focus on management, which would have an impact on my career long term and develop my network. I chose the 1Y program because I was able to get what I wanted out of an MBA in one year and get back to my career.

How do you feel about the academic opportunities at Kellogg?
The academic opportunities at Kellogg have a strong combination of both breadth and depth, which allowed me to take a diverse set of courses and also focus on areas that were of particular interest to me. As a 1Y student, I was able to take virtually every course offered to the 2Ys, so I did not ever feel limited. As a 1Y, you take fewer classes at Kellogg, so I spent a lot of time making sure each class I took fit a specific purpose.

What activities (clubs) were you involved in? How did these activities contribute to your overall Kellogg experience?
The activities made my MBA experience rewarding. While I did learn a lot from my professors and classmates in the classroom, it was what I did outside the classroom that left the most lasting impressions on me. One of the activities I participated in was the Asset Management Program, where students spend time as portfolio managers and research analysts investing real money for the Northwestern endowment. Another great experience for me was the Private Equity lab, where I had an internship with a highly reputable Chicago-area private equity firm. I was also the alumni chair for my section, which gave me the opportunity to interact with the Advancement Office and other 1Y alumni.

What were your first impressions of Kellogg? 
My first impressions of Kellogg began to develop in training at my first job out of undergrad where I met a lot of Kellogg alums. From them, I could tell Kellogg really had a community atmosphere with a focus on teamwork and developing leaders. My first trip to campus only strengthened those impressions because I was able to see first-hand how friendly, collaborative and helpful the students were.