Shreyas Hedge '24 MIS: A Story of Personal and Professional Growth

When Shreyas Hegde ‘24 MIS first landed in Arizona, he was overwhelmed with doubt. The Arizona heat and unfamiliar surroundings made him question his decision to choose the University of Arizona Eller College of Management over other prestigious schools like Washington or Maryland. That first night, he even searched for flights back to India. Little did he know that this decision would become what he calls "the best decision I have ever taken." 

Before coming to Arizona, Hegde had spent five years working at Oracle in India, primarily serving U.S. clients and Fortune 500 companies. The work was demanding but he felt that career growth was limited, and he wasn't receiving the dividends for those long work hours. Inspired by a senior colleague who had graduated from an MIS program and was thriving in the U.S., Hegde decided to pursue education opportunities in America. 

The transformation began slowly but surely at Eller. What started as a shy, reserved person emerged as someone who could network confidently with anyone, anywhere—from parking lots to retail fairs to Zumba classes. Hegde developed a unique ability to connect with people, exemplified by his interaction with a retail industry CEO at a career fair. By starting a conversation about her red cowboy boots rather than diving straight into business talk, he created a memorable connection that led to a valuable mentorship opportunity. 

The MIS program at Eller, particularly Gray Hunter's data visualization course, played a crucial role in Hegde's development. "The course made it real-world, all hands-on, all project-based," Shreyas said about Hunter's data visualization class. "That's how the world works. It's not about learning something bookish and not applying it outside. He's spreading knowledge in a way that will make your life easier when you graduate." The supportive faculty, including Yong Liu and others, encouraged students to reach out for help even after graduation, creating a nurturing environment for growth. 

Through his time at Eller, Hegde discovered his entrepreneurial spirit and developed a vision for his future. He dreams of becoming a startup incubator, using his growing network to connect ideas with resources and mentor new entrepreneurs. His experience has taught him the value of positive thinking and the power of connections, leading him to build a social “spider web” – where one connection leads to another, creating endless possibilities. 

The program's impact extended beyond academics. Hegde underwent a remarkable physical transformation through his involvement with the university's Ramblers hiking group, completing 39 hikes in just 75 days. This physical journey paralleled his professional growth, both demonstrating the power of Shreya’s perseverance and dedication. 

Photos courtesy of Shreyas Hegde '24 MIS