<p>Born and raised in Vadodara, India, a city known for its cultural heritage and emphasis on education, art, and music, Priyanka Shah decided to pursue an <a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-project-management.html">MS in Project Management</a> at NYU SPS after beginning her academic career in architecture.</p> <p>While studying architecture, “I developed a growing interest in how ideas are structured and executed,” says Shah. As she dove into the Division of Programs in Business (DPB) project management program headfirst, exploring entrepreneurship as well as various creative and community-based initiatives, Shah found herself increasingly interested in larger and more complex projects.</p> <p>“The more I worked, the more I realized that instinct and enthusiasm were not enough. I wanted to deepen my skill set and build a stronger foundation in strategy, communication, and execution,” she shares. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Shah continues to enthusiastically apply her skills to a wide range of interests, whether exploring product design, writing (Shah has a short book published on the Amazon Kindle platform), or playing pickleball. “I used to play tennis at a competitive level and have recently embraced the slower, slightly more social world of pickleball.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>During her time as a student, Shah served as student project manager with the NYU SPS Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications (SMC), where she played an integral role in project managing the development of the website you are browsing right now! Shah considers that experience to be one of the most impactful as she pursued her degree, sharing, “That gave me a real-world perspective on what project management looks like beyond the classroom. It allowed me to apply what I was learning in realtime.” As a graduate, Shah seeks out opportunities that allow her to “work at the intersection of structure and innovation.”</p> <p>She describes her former professors as “truly a lineup of legends,” who brought knowledge and expertise to the classroom. “So much of the learning happens beyond the classroom,” Shah adds. “I made it a habit to attend at least three events a week and connect with one person outside my program every week. It helped me grow my network, build confidence, and discover new interests. The city itself is a classroom—you never know what might spark an idea!”</p> <p>“One of my favorite things to do is walk through New York City with no set destination—I find inspiration and a sense of calm in the middle of all the movement,” reflects Shah. And reflecting upon her time in the MS in Project Management program, she is “grateful for the classmates who turned group projects into actual friendships, and for every moment New York pushed me out of my comfort zone.”</p>