2018 Best Brightest Diya Saigol, Boston University (Questrom)

2018 Best Brightest: Diya Saigol, Boston University (Questrom) by: Jeff Schmitt on April 01, 2018 | 0 Comments Comments 508 Views April 1, 2018Diya SaigolBoston University (Questrom)Describe yourself in 15 words or less: A creative and ambitious leader living by the motto â€Å"hard work can make anything possible.†Fun fact about yourself: I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 5 years old and have recently gone vegan!Hometown: Montreal, CanadaHigh School: Kuper AcademyMajor: Business Administration, Concentration MarketingFavorite Business Course: MK469 Communications and Digital Media StrategiesExtracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:Boston University Arts Initiative, Arts Insiders Program: Planned events for BU students to engage in Boston’s arts community by providing tickets to high-profile shows such as Lady Blacksmith Mambazo, Alvin Ailey, and Stephen Schwartz.Boston University Off Broadway: A volunteer group that p erforms a repertoire of inspirational songs at locations such as women’s shelters, senior homes, and fundraising events.Advisory Board, Questrom Honors Program: Some events I planned include a service trip to Room to Grow and a class dinner with faculty.Questrom International Tea, Event PlannerQuestrom Admitted Students Day, Panel SpeakerAwards Honors:Grace Prize Award: Awarded to a Questrom senior based on merit, contribution, and place among the top of the class.Questrom Dean’s ListBeta Gamma Sigma Honors SocietyWhere have you interned during your college career? Pan Pan Theatre (Dublin, Ireland): Marketing Operations InternHUMAN’ITY (Paris, France): Social Media ManagerWalker Sands (Chicago, IL): Digital Marketing InternWhere will you be working after graduation? Wayfair, Marketing Business AnalystWho is your favorite professor? Professor Kirks, who goes above and beyond the call of duty for his students and is really invested in their success beyond the cl assroom. He gets to know his students personally, and takes time out of class to impart career advice and help us with our job search.What did you enjoy most about your business school? I have enjoyed getting a foundational understanding of business that has given me knowledge to work in a large variety of fields. I have also liked the math-focused aspect of many of my classes.What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? I have learned that ethics come first, and staying true to your morals is more important than any profit motive.What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I would say to make the most of your general business classes, even if they are not in your preferred concentration, because they will give you an important foundation that will be helpful in your personal and professional life.â€Å"If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying†¦Psychology or Theatre.†What has surpr ised you most about majoring in business? I was surprised by how much I enjoyed all of my classes, since I went into business without really knowing what I wanted to do. In the end, it was the perfect fit for me because I got the practical knowledge and skills I needed while also studying interesting and exciting material.Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? My sister’s incredible experience at business school and her successful career afterwards are large reasons I decided to go to business school too.Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of a completely student-run musical production I directed and produced in 2013 with the help of a cast and crew of over 70 students. Through fundraising and ticket sales, we were able to donate $5,000 to the Montreal Children’s Hospital, which is an accomplishment I will always hold dear to my heart.If you were a dean for a day, what one thing would you change about the business school? Dean of Questrom, I would stop grade deflation and curves to encourage student collaboration rather than competition. More info in this great article by a Wharton Professor. (Link:Which classmate do you most admire? I most admire my friend Dana Abercrombie, who last semester was overloading with 3 extra credits, was on the E-Board of a student organization, had an internship with SAP, and also had a part-time job on campus. She managed her time so well that she was successful in all of these domains, and also had time to have a social life!Who would you most want to thank for your success? My parents, who have always been there for me. They have opened up the world to me and given me everything I could have asked for. My dad always has wise words of advice whenever I need, and my mom has helped me overcome several setbacks throughout my life.What would your theme song be? â€Å"Run the World† (Girls) by Beyoncà © because it embodies my d rive for success and female empowerment.What are the top two items on your bucket list? Live in Italy or France for at least a year.Do a safari in Africa.Favorite book: Memoirs of a GeishaFavorite movie: The TitanicFavorite vacation spot: Florence, ItalyWhat are your hobbies? Singing, acting, cooking, traveling, yogaWhat made Diya such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2018?â€Å"Diya joined my Strategy class in the Fall of 2017 after three classes had already occurred, after switching in from another section.  Thus I had the opportunity to observe the almost immediate and positive impact she had on our class dynamic on a before and after basis. Her energy and engagement in the class material had a big impact on our class discussions, and her classmates also benefited.  She also consistently asked challenging and probing questions that pushed everybody – the instructor included – to think about implications of class material and connections to other class con tent.  In short, Diya is most deserving of this honor!†John S. Kirks Senior Lecturer Strategy Innovation DepartmentDONT MISS: THE BEST BRIGHTEST BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2018 THE COMPLETE LIST Page 1 of 11