Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2025 graduates.
From taking the MCAT for fun — her bachelor's degree is in pre-med — to earning her master's degree in business analytics from the W. P. Carey School of Business this fall, Arizona State University student Ritika Anand shows what pivoting like a pro looks like.
“I taught myself coding from scratch for every project I was a part of,” Anand said.
After this realization, she decided she didn't want those skills to go to waste — and that's when she applied to the MS in business analytics program at ASU.
“It was then that I began looking for ways to combine my love for working with people and for being on the technical side of things … and I’ve never looked back,” she said.
However, Anand’s experience at ASU changed her perspective in ways she had not anticipated.
“I always thought I would become a doctor and nothing else,” Anand said. “But experiences I chose, ones that sometimes didn’t align with my plan exactly, led me down paths I never considered.”
A willingness to be open to opportunities redirected her toward a career in analytics.
But ASU had been a presence in her life even before she officially became a student. As a high school student, Anand participated in an ASU research project led by a university professor.
“I still remember thinking there was a great sense of community and an attitude that reflected wanting to help each other out,” she said. “It made me feel like I could explore and question, and it’s why I chose ASU for my undergrad and master’s degree.”
Once a student, Anand says that one of her most impactful experiences came from Professor Brandon Yoo’s Asian American psychology class.
“This class taught me about perspective. We usually have an understanding of things solely from our own perspective and just don’t even think about what might be going on with someone else. It changed how I communicate.”
As Anand readies herself for graduation, she urges current students to take advantage not only of the academic rigor but also of the collegiate experience.
“Honestly, enjoy your time in school because we work so hard that we forget to enjoy what college has to offer. There will never be a time with so many clubs, activities and opportunities within walking distance again. I will personally miss that,” she confessed.
Her favorite spot on campus represents that combination.
“Hayden Library, especially the private cubbies,” said Anand. “They were hard to get, but once you did, it felt like your own little world. I’ve had so many great memories studying and yapping with friends there.”
After graduation, Anand stands at the threshold of many opportunities, with several promising paths ahead.
Anand’s story shows that just because you think you’re destined for one thing, it doesn’t mean that’s your future. You don’t always have to follow what you think you’re supposed to. What's most important, she says, is being willing to create a new reality and follow your dreams.
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