Sairam! My name is Sai-Pranav Malyala, and I’m a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh studying Business Information Systems and Finance. I’m from Monroeville, Pennsylvania, about 20 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. Growing up, many people I looked up to went to Pitt, so when I got into Pitt Business, I knew it was the right place for me. I chose to study BIS because I wanted to work in tech without going down a path that was extremely math-heavy like computer science, and finance gave me a way to expand my opportunities into the broader business world. Right now, I’m still exploring, but I’m interested in areas like fintech, banking, or even joining a startup.
On campus, I try to stay involved in a variety of ways. I serve as the Head of Finance for Hindu YUVA, I’m a junior analyst for Panther Equity, and I volunteer with the Pitt Theatre Department as an assistant production assistant. Outside of school, I enjoy woodworking and reading. I spend time in the shop working on projects, which is one of the reasons I volunteer there, and I’ve recently been reading The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.
I chose the Plus3 Morocco program because I wanted to experience something completely new. I’ve traveled to places like Canada, India, Dubai, and Mexico, and last December I even solo traveled to Dubai, but I’ve never been to Africa. This felt like the perfect opportunity to explore a new region and step outside my comfort zone. I’m especially excited to explore cities like Marrakech, Rabat, and Casablanca, experience the culture firsthand, and see how daily life compares to what I’m used to. What interests me most about this program is the chance to understand how businesses operate in a different environment. I’m excited to learn about the entrepreneurial landscape in Morocco and how it compares to cities like Pittsburgh, especially in terms of starting and growing a business in a challenging environment. Personally, I want to become more adaptable, especially in situations where I don’t speak the language, and learn how to navigate those environments confidently. Professionally, I want to improve my communication skills and be able to connect with people and find common ground, no matter the situation.
Overall, I’m looking forward to learning, exploring, and making the most of this experience.