Her Story
About Chaithanya
I moved from India to the United States in 2015 to pursue my Master's in Management Information Systems, which I completed in 2016. After graduation, I was looking for a position in the field, and I found that private equity was the firm that fit most with my background. I was more interested in the analytical side of things and data, and how everything was progressing in data. That's how I got into this field, because a financial firm is where we can have access to lots of data and do a lot of stuff with it. I've been working as a Business Intelligence Analyst for almost 8 years now, starting around 2017-2018, and I joined my current private equity firm in November 2021, where I've been a Senior Associate ever since. In my role, I analyze private equity data, create notebooks in Databricks to analyze the data and create tables, and my main responsibility is creating dashboards and KPIs so that executives and leadership can look at them and make business decisions based on the insights. One of my biggest challenges was transitioning from India to the States, adapting to the culture and the fast-paced environment, and being able to deliver everything as expected. To stay current in my field, I've pursued several certifications in data and analytics, including Power BI and Azure, and I try to do at least one certification a year, if not once every two years, to stay up-to-date with the latest cutting-edge technologies.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Chaithanya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think my determination and encouragement from my family helped me get here. I really had good mentors along the way who supported me throughout my journey. When I was initially looking for jobs after completing my master's, I used to get really disappointed when I didn't get enough opportunities or enough interviews. My parents would tell me to take one day at a time, and that advice has stayed with me. Even now, when I face personal challenges or professional challenges, I just try to take one day at a time. That mindset has helped me navigate the difficulties of transitioning from India to the States, adapting to the culture and fast-paced environment, and being able to deliver everything as expected.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to take one day at a time. When I completed my master's and was looking for jobs, I used to get really disappointed when I didn't get enough opportunities or enough interviews. My parents would tell me to take one day at a time, and that advice was really helpful. Even now, when I face personal challenges or professional challenges, I just try to take one day at a time. It seems simple, but it's profound advice that has helped me navigate difficult periods in my career and stay focused on what I can control in the present moment.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say don't get disappointed. You will find the right opportunity when it is time, but keep trying and keep upskilling yourself. Knowledge never goes to waste. I know from my own experience how discouraging it can be when you're looking for opportunities and not getting the interviews you hoped for, but persistence and continuous learning are key. Stay committed to developing your skills and staying current with the latest technologies, and eventually the right opportunity will come along.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being honest and having integrity are values I hold very important in both my personal and professional life. These principles guide how I approach my work and my relationships, and they're fundamental to who I am.
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