Vaishnavi Varma, a junior majoring in applied mathematics in Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, was selected to attend the 2019 Forbes Under 30 Summit in Detroit as an Under 30 Scholar this past October.
The Forbes Under 30 Scholars Program is aimed towards upperclassmen and graduate students in the business and technology sectors. Once chosen as a scholar, an individual is provided free access to the Forbes Under 30 Summit, which is a four-day immersion experience to network with the top experts and leaders in the world, from sport stars like Serena Williams to music sensations such as Normani. The goal of this program is to allow high-achieving students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to engage, learn, and collaborate with others who share their entrepreneurial spirit.
Vaishnavi learned of this opportunity through a peer who was selected as a scholar this year as well. She was inspired to apply because she was interested in learning about other young, business-savvy individuals who had pursued non-traditional paths yet still achieved great success in their fields.
In the leadership portion of the application, Vaishnavi discussed the positive impact her work at the Shaw Center as Leadership Intern – Site Coordinator for Engineering Ambassadors. Being a part of the Shaw Center community helped her foster leadership skills, community involvement, and personal growth, all of which are vital qualities to have as a Forbes Under 30 Scholar. Though unable to attend the conference, she was still able to connect to other scholars from across the nation.
“This really pushed me out of the SU bubble and some of those students introduced me to completely new ideas and opportunities that I had never known existed,” Vaishnavi said.
Next summer, Vaishnavi will be interning at Bank of America in their Global Technology Summer Analyst Program where she will be working as a data scientist.
–This article was written by Danielle Llewellyn, Shaw Center PR Intern, Class of 2021. She majors in Sociology and Psychology at Syracuse University.
