Her Story
About Samridhi
I work as a quantitative analyst at Morningstar, an investment data research firm, where I've been for almost one and a half years. In my role with the equity bond squad, I'm deeply involved in equity model validation and product validation processes. Essentially, I work to ensure that the models we've built over the years and continue to build are conducting research properly and that the results are validated. I make sure what we're pushing out to our customers and consumers matches the methodology we've developed over time. My work varies between research-based projects and actually building and implementing the research we've come up with. What drives me is being able to see how my work is being utilized across the industry - taking my love for math and number crunching from childhood and translating it into a niche field where I can make information and numbers more digestible and insightful for all the clients we cater to. My journey to this role was really shaped by my internship with Morningstar, which I consider one of my most notable professional achievements because it allowed me to experience my current role in a more academic yet professional setting, applying my skill set from coursework in a hands-on way in a corporate environment while still learning in school.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Samridhi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would definitely say it's been an amalgamation of different things. My college journey at UIUC was really helpful, and I think in addition to that, it's just my knack for being able to work in a data science field and use my skill set in a setting where consumers are actually relying on data every day. A lot of it stems from the fact that during childhood, I used to love math and enjoy doing number crunching work, and I think today that really translated into a very niche field which helps me make information and these numbers more digestible and insightful for all the clients that we cater to. Being able to see how my work that I contribute is being utilized all across the industry really makes me feel that I've been able to achieve something and be successful in the area that I am.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to never stop learning. I think that's really helpful even if you're in school, college, 10 years down your career path, or almost like a C-suite. I always feel like one should always learn something new - that could be anything, could be related to your professional work, or could be something that you're really passionate about otherwise. Always being able to challenge your brain to learn something different and new is something that I really like to abide by in my own personal and professional life, and I always advise others too.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I think it's definitely having a board of people in your personal or professional life who can guide you along the way and mentor you, but at the same time, who can truly show you if you're taking a long step that you need to be held back by. Having those three kinds of people in your life - one who can always cheer you up, two who can always show you the honesty of face and show you what needs to be improved, and three who can always mentor you in any setting. I feel like just backing yourself with the right kind of mentors and social circle really helps. At the same time, I feel like it's always the motivation and the determination to just keep upskilling yourself constantly that's also been something that I really like to follow.
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