<p>From the halls of academia in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to the bustling streets of New York City, Anna Tavis's career trajectory embodies a narrative of diverse experiences and profound insights. Currently the chair of the Human Capital Management (HCM) department at NYU, Tavis brings expertise in academia and global business environments to the program, and we were thrilled to speak with her about her career and advice for prospective students.</p>

<p>Originally from Saint Petersburg, Russia, Tavis moved to the United States over four decades ago, obtaining her PhD from Princeton and starting her academic career at Williams College in Massachusetts. However, her curiosity about the application of academic knowledge in the real world led her beyond the university setting. &quot;I always wanted to understand how everything I've learned in academia actually applies,&quot; Tavis reflects. It was time for her to step into the global business sector.</p> <p>This leap in her professional career took her to London, where she served as the head of organizational effectiveness for Motorola across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. This role gave her a front-row seat to the technological innovations shaping the global marketplace at the turn of the century. Tavis then moved to Helsinki to work with Nokia, focusing on talent management and organizational effectiveness on a global scale.</p> <p>Her later shift to Wall Street marked another significant chapter in her career. Working for AIG during the financial crisis, Tavis witnessed firsthand the critical importance of leadership and the often fragile nature of job security in large corporations. She walked away with a deeper understanding of the human elements in business—how leadership and organizational culture directly impact employee stability and company success.</p>

<p>The path back to academia was serendipitously influenced by an NYU intern at AIG. Tavis's enduring passion for education led her back to academia. &quot;NYU actually offered a full-time position for me in 2016, and I was very happy to take it on,&quot; she recounts, expressing gratitude for her diverse experiences which now inform her teaching and leadership at the university.</p> <p>As chair of the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/division-of-programs-in-business/human-capital-management.html" title="Human Capital Management">Human Capital Management</a> department, Tavis focuses on making education practical, market-relevant, and closely aligned with industry needs. She emphasizes the importance of applied research and experiential learning, ensuring that students are job-ready and market-ready upon graduation. Her philosophy centers on the integration of critical thinking and real-world application, preparing students to navigate and shape the ever-evolving world of global business and technology.</p> <p>One element of Tavis's teaching style that stands out is her commitment to helping students develop their professional identities.</p> <p>&quot;I don't see myself as just transmitting knowledge. I see education right now, and its unique value in helping our students better understand how to process information critically evaluated.&quot;<br> </p> <p>This echoes the NYU SPS emphasis on real-world learning and the development of critical thinking skills. Here, students not only gain important industry knowledge, but they learn ways to develop their curiosity for their field.</p>