Why did you choose the Media Ventures program?
I chose the Media Ventures program for several reasons. With seven years of broadcast news television experience under my belt, I was looking to make the transition to the web and to educate myself on the latest trends in digital media at the time. The Media Ventures program offered just that. I loved that the program did not let you just sit back in a classroom; that it actually made you create and develop your ideas. The faculty’s industry experience and hands-on approach was a draw and they proved to be incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Lastly, having the opportunity to study in two cities and to meet industry leaders in Boston and LA presented a unique learning opportunity that I am very happy I seized.
For you, what is the unique selling proposition of the program?
The Media Ventures program offered everything that I was looking for to make the transition from television to digital media. But what really stood out for me was the program’s hands-on approach of starting with an idea, developing it conceptually, and finally pitching it to a room full of venture capitalists.
How did you land this job?
The school’s alumni network played a central role in leading me to my current job. With Professor Cathy Perron’s guidance and help, I was able to meet an industry executive, which ultimately led to my present job. A lot of colleges and programs may overstate their alumni network, but not BU’s School of Communication. Our alumni is truly connected and, most importantly, extremely helpful.
How did the program help you?
In addition to learning about the latest digital trends directly from industry leaders in the classroom, the program offered numerous, unique opportunities to intern at tech startups and get a real world feel of what it is like to actually start a company. Even though I personally did not go on to work at a startup, this experience taught me to work efficiently and think creatively, which has proven just as useful in my current work.
Can you describe your current role and what makes it exciting?
I manage the editorial content on the Bloomberg.com homepage. It is an extremely exciting role because financial news moves at a rapid pace, and our readers make split-second decisions based on the news we deliver. We have to get the news right, and we have to get it out fast. This often makes for a busy and fun day.
What was your thesis project?
My thesis project involved developing a platform for news networks in South Asia to source affordable and relevant foreign news content from the United States. When I left India to study at BU, the broadcast news industry in India was just beginning to take off, and, after working as a producer for several years, I was keenly aware of this gap that existed in the market at the time. The Media Ventures program helped me develop a business plan for a startup to efficiently fill that gap.