International student's determination leads to early success in Rutgers MBA Program
After getting an interview with Dell, the MBA student prepared with career management and accomplished her goal of securing a summer internship with the company.
NEWARK, N.J., March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rutgers Full Time MBA Program brought Barbie Tyagi to the U.S. for the first time, and she was nervous attending a student networking event at the start of her first semester.
"I was thrilled yet anxious, knowing that the culture here is so different from what I was used to in India," Tyagi said. "But any unease quickly fades away. The people here make you feel so welcomed that I soon realized the shell I once had was no longer there."
Tyagi earned her undergraduate degree in economics at University of Delhi. She was working halfway across the world in Gurugram, India, as a senior risk analyst at Genpact when a conversation with her manager made Tyagi realize her next step should be pursuing an MBA. An uncle had graduated from Rutgers and praised the university's strong curriculum and programs. As Tyagi researched Rutgers and its MBA program, she discovered it was a perfect fit.
"Everything just clicked for me – I knew this was exactly where I wanted to be," said Tyagi, who will complete her MBA next year. "The Rutgers curriculum wasn't just a fit. It aligned seamlessly with my aspirations."
International students have until May 15 to apply for acceptance into the Rutgers MBA Program. For more information about the application process.
Tyagi secured a summer internship at Dell, thanks to Rutgers. She attended an information session with Dell and then applied for the internship. When she landed an interview, Tyagi sought advice and coaching from the MBA Office of Career Management.
Dean R. Vera, assistant dean and director of the MBA Office of Career Management, had a one-on-one session with Tyagi to identify what she lacked so she could be ready for questions. A Rutgers MBA student who had the same internship last year also provided her with advice.
"The resources bridged the gap between where I stand and where I started," Tyagi said. "Having someone who could pinpoint where you lack was important. Without these resources and guidance, you operate blindly."
Vera said Tyagi is one of the top MBAs in the Class of 2026. "She was determined to secure a summer internship offer with Dell, and she did so by having a mock interview with me and preparing for the case question using one of our resources," Vera said.
"Dell's interview process is one of the most difficult we have at Rutgers," he said, "and Barbie brought her A game."
Tyagi hopes the summer internship will be a stepping-stone to a full-time job at Dell.
One challenge in the MBA program is time management because there are so many opportunities, Tyagi said. She is president of the finance club and has participated in two case competitions with two more planned. "Everything requires you to be on your toes managing your time," she said.
Tyagi offers this advice to international students considering Rutgers Business School: "Embrace the unknown. Coming to a new country can be intimidating," she said, "but take full advantage of the resources the school has to offer."
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