Alumni Spotlights
Aradhna Taneja ’08
Full Name and Class Year: Aradhna Taneja
’08
Major at EC: Economics, Accounting, International Business
Current Position: Investment Banker with Citigroup in New York City
What are the challenges of your career field?
The toughest aspect is perhaps the hours I spend in the office. However, the day flies by when you enjoy what you do!
What are the advantages and disadvantages of your career field?
My favorite aspect is the learning curve and the interaction with clients. It’s a great stepping stone towards many opportunities.
If someone wanted to get into your career field, what advice would you have for them?
I came into the field with a few years of work experience under my belt. I would recommend that people have an interest in finance and keep abreast of market activities.
How did your academic life prepare you for graduate school or your career?
There are so many aspects of a small, liberal arts collegiate environment that have prepared me for working at a multi-national company. From the academic side, the ability to take independent study courses that expanded on concepts I learned in courses offered regularly was a great way to learn about things I already enjoyed.
What have been the highlights of your life and career?
The years at Elmira College continue to be perhaps the best four years thus far. The friends and the mentors continue to be an integral part of my life. It’s great to celebrate successes and learn from mistakes with friends who knew me before I entered the work force. In terms of mentors, a majority of my mentors are from the Elmira family – professors, alumni, and trustees. It’s great to be able to ask for guidance from people who have already been where I’m hoping to get to.
What hobbies, activities, community service, foreign travel, etc. are you or have you been involved in?
I received quite a few awards and medals through my time at Elmira starting with the Moser Prize my freshman year and ending with the Julian Allen Prize at commencement. I was only able to succeed because the environment I was in encouraged me to do well and I had the support I needed to excel.
What are your fondest memories of your days at Elmira College?
Mountain Day singing has to be on the list. The purple and gold memorabilia like the thunder sticks, cow bells, and pom-poms always brings back great memories. When I was part of Student Government, I was up on the stairs leading the singing and those nights were perhaps the most intimidating as musically inclined students heard me sing (perhaps off pitch). But, it’s great to see the student body gathered together and singing to their alma mater. One Mountain Day, I woke up early and completed the run to Quarry Farm. I was amazed at how much history is within the three mile radius of Elmira!
Were you involved in any clubs/organizations/teams/activities?
I was pretty involved on campus. I was part of SIFE, Student Government, Finance Board and the Women’s Tennis Team, among other things. Each allowed me to interact with a different part of the student body.
Which class, club, activity, individual, organization or team do you believe best prepared you for your career?
I owe my first job to SIFE! I had an offer with KPMG in New York City by my senior year because of the networking through SIFE. KPMG is a SIFE sponsor company and through the years at Elmira, I had met with recruiters from various companies. KPMG was the best choice for me as an accounting major. I got my CPA licensure in 2010 with the firm. I have continued to stay involved with SIFE as a judge at competitions. I am still in touch with a few of my professors and mentors from college. It’s great to know that they’re a phone call away when I need advice.
What advice would you give students about preparing for graduate school or careers?
I would tell students to explore options and always give a 110% to whatever you have on your plate. It’s hard to know what you enjoy until you experience something you don’t. And, if you’re one of the fortunate few who ends up in a field you always dreamed of, hold on to it. I don’t think people ever end up where they imagined they would. However, people who succeed are those who make the best of a situation.
Do you have a favorite quote that embodies your beliefs or values?
“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”
Is there any additional information you would like to include?
At some point, I hope to channel my entrepreneurial spirit and venture outside the corporate life.
Major at EC: Economics, Accounting, International Business
Current Position: Investment Banker with Citigroup in New York City
What are the challenges of your career field?
The toughest aspect is perhaps the hours I spend in the office. However, the day flies by when you enjoy what you do!
What are the advantages and disadvantages of your career field?
My favorite aspect is the learning curve and the interaction with clients. It’s a great stepping stone towards many opportunities.
If someone wanted to get into your career field, what advice would you have for them?
I came into the field with a few years of work experience under my belt. I would recommend that people have an interest in finance and keep abreast of market activities.
How did your academic life prepare you for graduate school or your career?
There are so many aspects of a small, liberal arts collegiate environment that have prepared me for working at a multi-national company. From the academic side, the ability to take independent study courses that expanded on concepts I learned in courses offered regularly was a great way to learn about things I already enjoyed.
What have been the highlights of your life and career?
The years at Elmira College continue to be perhaps the best four years thus far. The friends and the mentors continue to be an integral part of my life. It’s great to celebrate successes and learn from mistakes with friends who knew me before I entered the work force. In terms of mentors, a majority of my mentors are from the Elmira family – professors, alumni, and trustees. It’s great to be able to ask for guidance from people who have already been where I’m hoping to get to.
What hobbies, activities, community service, foreign travel, etc. are you or have you been involved in?
I received quite a few awards and medals through my time at Elmira starting with the Moser Prize my freshman year and ending with the Julian Allen Prize at commencement. I was only able to succeed because the environment I was in encouraged me to do well and I had the support I needed to excel.
What are your fondest memories of your days at Elmira College?
Mountain Day singing has to be on the list. The purple and gold memorabilia like the thunder sticks, cow bells, and pom-poms always brings back great memories. When I was part of Student Government, I was up on the stairs leading the singing and those nights were perhaps the most intimidating as musically inclined students heard me sing (perhaps off pitch). But, it’s great to see the student body gathered together and singing to their alma mater. One Mountain Day, I woke up early and completed the run to Quarry Farm. I was amazed at how much history is within the three mile radius of Elmira!
Were you involved in any clubs/organizations/teams/activities?
I was pretty involved on campus. I was part of SIFE, Student Government, Finance Board and the Women’s Tennis Team, among other things. Each allowed me to interact with a different part of the student body.
Which class, club, activity, individual, organization or team do you believe best prepared you for your career?
I owe my first job to SIFE! I had an offer with KPMG in New York City by my senior year because of the networking through SIFE. KPMG is a SIFE sponsor company and through the years at Elmira, I had met with recruiters from various companies. KPMG was the best choice for me as an accounting major. I got my CPA licensure in 2010 with the firm. I have continued to stay involved with SIFE as a judge at competitions. I am still in touch with a few of my professors and mentors from college. It’s great to know that they’re a phone call away when I need advice.
What advice would you give students about preparing for graduate school or careers?
I would tell students to explore options and always give a 110% to whatever you have on your plate. It’s hard to know what you enjoy until you experience something you don’t. And, if you’re one of the fortunate few who ends up in a field you always dreamed of, hold on to it. I don’t think people ever end up where they imagined they would. However, people who succeed are those who make the best of a situation.
Do you have a favorite quote that embodies your beliefs or values?
“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”
Is there any additional information you would like to include?
At some point, I hope to channel my entrepreneurial spirit and venture outside the corporate life.
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