SPS Stories
Student Spotlight
Chaithanya Bhati
SPS Couple Earn Mid-career Degrees Together
Fast Facts
- Each quit their full-time jobs in India to pursue education at NYU SPS
- The couple has found their academic experience challenging, exciting, and rewarding
- Collaboration and shared experiences have been key to their journey, attending events on and off campus together
<p><span class="p-body">In fall 2022, Prithviraj Rathore and Chaithanya Bhati, a married couple from India, both enrolled at NYU SPS to pursue different degrees within the Division of Programs in Business. Rathore began to pursue an<a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-human-capital-analytics-and-technology.html" target="_blank"> MS in Human Capital Analytics and Technology (HCAT)</a>. Bhati embarked on the journey of earning an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-management-and-systems.html" target="_blank">MS in Management and Systems</a>. With over 15 years of professional experience between them, each quit their full-time jobs in India to pursue their education at NYU SPS with lofty goals. </span></p>
The Right Place for Big Dreams
<p><span class="p-body">"I always dreamt of studying in one of the top universities in the world and learning from the best professors and practitioners in the industry," said Rathore, who holds an MBA from the University of Bedfordshire in the UK and has worked in industries like digital payments and software, and HR consulting and outsourcing. "While I already possessed the managerial aptitude, I needed to pick up advanced analytical skills and techniques, and I viewed the HCAT program as the best way forward to upskill myself and advance my career."</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">For Bhati, who held an undergrad degree in commerce from Christ University in Bangalore, India, and worked as a marketing and product professional, NYU SPS attracted her because "this school has been one of the driving forces of change, innovation, and technology."</span></p>
My desire to contribute to a sustainable life for the planet and humankind is one of my core values. I am passionate about using technology and innovation to accomplish this goal. And at NYU SPS, I have the opportunity to study in a state-of-the-art facility with a world-renowned faculty."
Fond Memories of the Classroom
<p><span class="p-body">The couple has found their academic experience challenging and exciting. "As technology advances, companies have access to more data than ever before—and are looking for ways to channel this data," said Rathore. "As this realm evolves at a breakneck speed, I aim to acquire the expertise to enhance my career prospects and contributions," thanks in part to his expert professors in his program, particularly Professor Anna Tavis. "I am in awe of her insights, knowledge, critical thinking, and network," he added.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Like her husband, Bhati is impressed by the quality of the faculty and the curriculum in her program. "All my professors are amazing, but if I had to pick a favorite I would go with Professor Jimmy Pang," stated Bhati. "His Managing in a Global Economy class is one of a kind. In all his lectures, there are strong data insights on global industries. His classes are very interactive, and we also get to work on real-life case studies and have field trips too."</span></p>
The Highlights and Challenges of Being Students Together
<p><span class="p-body">In October 2022, the pair attended the two-day Metaverse Bootcamp organized by NYU SPS, an experience they found fascinating. "As a student learning about the advancement of technology in our day-to-day lives, this was an eye-opening learning experience. In today's rapidly changing world, web3, NFTs, blockchain technology, digital twins, cryptocurrencies, and wallets are crucial as trends across various industries can disrupt businesses, and the metaverse is the next disruptive trend," said Bhati.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">The responsibilities of being both married and college students have occasionally been difficult to balance for the pair. "We both quit our jobs to start school together and managing everything can take a toll sometimes," said Rathore. "However, being together provides a kind of full-time, readily accessible support, which can be useful in a variety of college-induced stressful situations, including managing workload at home, time management, and even simply venting about a stressful day."</span></p>
The best part is we make it a point to attend events inside and outside school together. We also help each other in brainstorming research ideas and providing critical feedback on academic work. More than a challenge, we look at it as a built-in support system, and this is a luxury to us!"
<p><span class="p-body">Outside of their studies, Bhati is a student leader at the NYU SPS Management and Systems Student Association. An ardent dog lover, she has always been passionate about working on providing a better life to stray dogs in India. Rathore's interests lie in sports—cricket and soccer—and he enjoys learning about emerging trends in technology.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">An <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-management-and-systems.html" target="_blank">MS in Managment & Systems</a> from NYU SPS can open doors that you may have never imagined were possible. See where you can start the next chapter of your career with a degree from the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/division-of-programs-in-business.html" target="_blank">Division of Programs in Business</a>.</span></p>
