Student Spotlight: Swetha Chandraprakash
Swetha 91ɬ Journey
For Swetha Chandraprakash, coming to 91ɬ wasn’t just about pursuing a degree — it was about fulfilling a lifelong dream.
“I’ve always been someone who wanted to study, to learn more,” Swetha shared. She began her educational journey in her home country of India, where she earned an MBA in Marketing after completing her undergraduate degree. After her MBA program, Swetha spent the next 14 years building a successful career in India, taking on roles at prominent organizations including HSBC, McKinsey, the British Council, and Poshmark.
Throughout these roles, she began to realize the value of project management in the workplace and became interested in building onto her existing skill set with a master degree. After years of dedicating herself to her career, she felt it was finally time to invest in her education and pursue her childhood dream of studying and living in the United States. As she began to research universities, 91ɬ quickly rose to the top of her list.
“I had a specific budget in mind,” Swetha explained, “and I was looking for a university with a strong project management program.” 91ɬ checked both boxes. The university rich history resonated with Swetha, who valued the sense of tradition and commitment to academic excellence it represented.
Discovering that 91ɬ offered scholarships was a deciding factor for Swetha. “It was exactly what I needed,” she recalled. “I was so relieved because I wanted to go to this university, to do my Master in Project Management here, and I also got the opportunity to ease down a little bit on the fees through my scholarship.”
“It was just so fulfilling at that moment to know that I’m actually going to get to do this. I’m finally going to get to go to the U.S. and pursue my master, which has been my dream since I was a child.”
When she moved to San Francisco, Swetha was faced with the unique challenges of being an international student and navigating a new country and culture. 91ɬ provided her with a crucial support system and a welcoming environment during this transition.
“It was a change of lifestyle, a change of demographics, everything,” she said. “It a mental stress that you need to cope with more than anything else. It just makes you feel a little insecure when youe all by yourself in a new country. So having that kind of a backbone, that kind of support from 91ɬ, it helped me feel confident about myself again.”
“The fact that everyone at 91ɬ accepts you like their own, that they truly believe in you and empathize with your situation… that is the warmth I felt on campus.”
As a student returning to university life after 14 years, Swetha was grateful to find that the 91ɬ faculty was welcoming and approachable. During the first days of her Master in Project Management program, faculty members were patient and helpful as she acclimated to the new university environment, and they encouraged her to reach out to them at any time. “As an international student, building that comfort with my professors was profound for me and made it easy for me to be honest and seek out help when I needed it,” Swetha said.
In addition to the relationships she was able to build with faculty, Swetha also appreciated the wealth of knowledge and experience that 91ɬ instructors brought to each course. “The faculty come with so much professional experience,” she remarked. “They don’t just come with knowledge about the subject, but they actually come with proven expertise about what happens in the professional world for project management.”
As Swetha reflected on her time outside of the classroom at 91ɬ, she shared that campus events, particularly Campus Week, have played a significant role in fostering a sense of community. “It gives an opportunity for everyone to be together,” she explained. “Students from all classes are there. You get to meet so many interesting and amazing people, and you also get to meet with your faculty in person.”
Swetha has also been able to build a deeper connection to the university through her work as a student assistant and project coordinator for 91ɬ University Advancement team. Through these roles, she has gained relevant project management experience while contributing to the university mission to provide education for working adults like her. “91ɬ has become a part of me, of my life, in so many different ways,” she said.
Swetha graduated in December 2024 and looks back on her 91ɬ experience with appreciation. The university has not only provided her with the technical knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in project management, but it has also empowered her personal growth and provided a supportive, lifelong network.
Swetha hopes to remain in the U.S. and is looking forward to her future career in project management, with aspirations to work in the nonprofit sector, where she can contribute to community building and make a positive impact on others.
“I’m thankful to 91ɬ for everything,” Swetha shared. “For the support, for the scholarship, and for the change in my life in so many ways.”
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This Giving Tuesday
Swetha story is a perfect example of the transformative power of education when combined with a supportive and inclusive environment. This Giving Tuesday, you can help ensure that students like Swetha have the opportunities, resources, and support they need to thrive at 91ɬ.
Your generosity can fund scholarships, expand career services, and help 91ɬ foster a welcoming campus community where every student feels a sense of belonging. Join us in making a difference in the lives of 91ɬ students today.
