Vrithika Rachel Joseph, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA Class of 2028
Age: 25
Hometown: Chennai, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Stella Maris College, Commerce
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Product Lead at Xtract.io, 4 years; Accountant at Philips, 6 months
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After pivoting from accounting to product management, I knew I wanted to keep building at the intersection of technology and people. I loved learning on the job but reached a point where I wanted a deeper understanding of the business decisions behind the products I was building. An MBA felt like the right next step to broaden my perspective, develop as a leader, and build a global network that would challenge how I think.
Why did you choose UNC Kenan-Flagler? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The people were the biggest reason I chose UNC Kenan-Flagler. Even during my interview, I felt unusually comfortable being myself. Before the program started, I took a solo backpacking trip to Vietnam and happened to meet two future classmates there. They were the first cohort-mates I met, and I immediately felt at ease with them. It felt like the perfect combination of exploring the world and building my UNC community.
UNC Kenan-Flagler also offered strong pathways into the industries and roles I was targeting, particularly consulting and technology. The new business school building and the school’s growing momentum made it an exciting time to join. I also loved finding connections to home through the Indian and Tamil community here. Ultimately, it was the people who made UNC Kenan-Flagler feel like home.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I bring an ability to connect people across cultures, industries, and interests. Through my work and my involvement with the Global Shapers Community, I’ve had opportunities to lead communities and bring people together around shared causes. I hope to bring that same energy to UNC Kenan-Flagler, whether through technology, consulting, global social impact or simply creating spaces where people feel connected.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m a professional singer and an intermediate salsa and bachata dancer. I used to lead a band and perform solo around my city. Now, whenever I travel, I try to find a Latin social dance night. I danced my first social in Budapest and my most recent one in Durham! I love how quickly a dance floor can bring people together, even when you come from completely different backgrounds.
Post-MBA career interests:
My post MBA goal is product management and consulting, with a focus on technology, strategy and building products that solve meaningful customer and business problems.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely map out my life before writing my application. I put my major experiences, decisions, accomplishments and turning points into an Excel sheet and looked for patterns. It forced me to step back and ask what I really wanted from an MBA and from the next chapter of my life. That reflection helped me identify my non-negotiables and gave me a much clearer sense of why I was applying.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I had applied to more scholarships and programs like Vetter Dean’s Fellows Program, given my interests in leadership, travel and service. Looking back, it would have been a great way to explore those interests alongside my MBA experience.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could, and what helped you get through it?
Taking the GRE multiple times instead of using a strategic time-bound plan. I was balancing the test with work and other commitments, which made it difficult to give it the focus it deserved. Eventually, setting a firm timeline helped me treat the GRE as one part of the application rather than letting it take over the process.
What is your initial impression of the Kenan-Flagler students/culture/community?
I experienced the Carolina Way very personally, very early in my time at UNC Kenan-Flagler. I experienced a significant personal loss shortly after starting the program, and the warmth I received from faculty and students during that difficult period meant a lot to me. People checked in and made space for me without expecting anything in return. It showed me that the community here genuinely looks out for one another.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’ve joined the Business Technology Club, Consulting Club and Carolina Women in Business. They align closely with my career interests while giving me opportunities to connect with classmates outside the classroom. I’d love to eventually take on a leadership role in one of them. The second-year students have already invested so much in helping us navigate academics and recruiting, and I hope to pay that forward for the next class.
What is one thing you have learned about UNC Kenan-Flagler that has surprised you?
I’ve been surprised by how rigorous and practical the program is. I especially appreciate how intentionally the curriculum is structured. The changes to the mod and semester structure front-load the foundations and allow us to access electives earlier, so we can tailor our learning to our career goals sooner. It made me realize how much thought goes into designing the student experience here.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m especially excited about the Global Immersion Electives and the STAR program. I came to business school wanting to deepen my understanding of global business, and I’m excited by opportunities to learn across cultures and work with firms on real problems. Both feel like a great way to take what we learn in the classroom and put it into practice.
