Chandan Dash

Program: Full-time MBA
Graduation: May 2017
Current title/organization: Senior Associate/Areion Corporate Advisors

Q: Tell us something about you we might be surprised to find out.
A: Everyone in my class knew about my love for food, especially meat. But I come from a family of vegetarians, and I had non-vegetarian food for the very first time when I was 17 and in college!

Q: What’s the most fun or enlightening experience you’ve had in the MBA program so far? 
A: I will say two things here. Firstly, I was really impressed by how welcoming everyone here was when I arrived – the MBA office, my fellow classmates, everyone. We had so much fun together as a class! In terms of classes, MBA 520 with Dr. Karlyn Mitchell in fall 2015 semester was really an awesome experience.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
A: There’s this quote from the Batman movies that has always inspired me. Thomas Wayne tells a young Bruce, “Why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.” This is a cool way of saying that failure is the pillar of success.

Q: What’s your favorite comfort food, and when do you like to make & enjoy it? 
A: Nothing beats rice, lentils, mashed potatoes, and tomato chutney from my mother’s kitchen. I have been told that I cook really well, but I have never been able to replicate that!

Q: If you had 5 minutes to teach someone something new, what would you teach?
A: How to sleep anywhere in an instant! I can fall asleep anywhere, and quickly, before you can say “fall asleep.” This especially works with the rigor of the MBA program. Also, how to do mental mathematics.