Ganenthra Ravindran didn’t follow a conventional path after University and that’s precisely what makes his story so compelling. "I graduated from the bachelor's in International Business in the Digital Era, specializing in Finance," Ganenthra Ravindran says. "I was eager to study something that had practical applications and guarantee good employment outcomes."
Years later, that decision has taken him from Estonia to the United States, where he now works as a Technical Research Fellow at George Mason University. But the road there wasn’t mapped out in advance. "A number of unexpected turns got me here," he admits. "Whilst in college, I was managing the operations of a startup. Thereafter I was a Project Manager at a mid-sized Estonian software development company and subsequently worked as a project manager and analyst at an ad-tech firm."
It’s a professional path that reflects adaptability and range- qualities that, perhaps, were sharpened during his studies. Ganenthra describes the academic structure of his degree as something that allowed him to pursue depth in his field, while also thinking practically. "The requirement of submitting a thesis perhaps inspired me the most," he notes. "Though specializing in Finance, I decided based on my career goals to produce a quantitative thesis grounded in the fields of Economics, Finance and Data Science."
Beyond the classroom, one moment from his university years remains especially vivid: "Graduating cum-laude and having the opportunity to meet the Estonian President stands out the most and is something I have been immensely proud of."
Looking back, he believes his time at university played a crucial role in shaping the way he approaches complex problems today. For those just starting their studies, Ganenthra offers advice rooted in experience rather than idealism: "Have a clear idea or clarity of what you would like to do post-graduation and work backwards. Three years passes by quickly and though you may be young and have a lack of idea of what you would like to do in your life, use the 3 years you have to figure it out."
His story is not a linear blueprint, but a reminder that clarity often comes through exploration and that practical choices can still lead to unexpected and rewarding destinations.
Estonian citizens can apply to the International Business Administration programme until 3 July, and citizens of Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania until 1 August.
Application details and programme information are available here.