How Identity Influenced A Business Strategy Analyst's Career At Emirates Flight Catering
Aruna's experience as a woman of color has involved instances where "voice was not heard," leading to a proactive approach of exceeding expectations to gain equal respect; however, a move from the Middle East to the U.S. revealed a significant shift, with MBA programs offering "so many more opportunities to shine," ultimately facilitating a career transition into consulting.
Overcoming Challenges, Resilience, Motivation, Career Development, Workplace Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Aruna Narayanan
Business Strategy Analyst
Emirates Flight Catering
Heriot-Watt University, 2016
UCLA Anderson, MBA 2024
Finance
Hospitality, Restaurants & Events
Business Strategy
International Student, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Aruna's experience highlights the challenges women of color can face in the workplace, such as feeling unheard or overlooked for opportunities.
2. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance and going the extra mile to gain respect and recognition.
3. Aruna notes a positive shift in opportunities for women and minorities in the US, particularly in her MBA program, highlighting the evolving landscape of inclusivity in certain professional settings and how it can help shape career decisions
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a woman of color, how has that impacted how you navigate your career?
As a woman of color, there have been instances in my career where I felt my voice wasn't heard, or someone else was given an opportunity that should have been mine. This made me want to try a lot harder.
Every day, I would put in extra effort, take on more responsibilities, and ensure I obtained professional qualifications. I went the extra mile every single day to earn equal respect in the workplace.
Moving from the Middle East to the US, I've experienced a significant shift in the opportunities available to me. In MBA school, I see that women and minority groups are given many more opportunities to shine, and I am very grateful for them.
I observe a shift in the thought process here, which I believe has helped me transition from business strategy to consulting.