Amanda Shailendra

• School of International Affairs

• M.S. INTA 2005

Amanda Shailendra is an affiliate with the Pendleton Group, as well as founder of PATH Solutions. She also has previous experience as Metro Expansion Lead at Google, Director of Life Sciences, Technology, and Corporate Solutions and Senior Project Manager of Technology for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Invest Atlanta Manager of Business Development.

How did Tech and the Nunn School help you get where you are?

Having a Masters degree from Georgia Tech continues to open doors for me and gives me an advantage in my personal and professional endeavors. In the field of economic development, I regularly interact with international companies and global organizations. My studies in the Nunn School program have provided me with a foundation that is very helpful in working with these groups. The diversity of the students in my classes also exposed me to different perspectives and cultures, which allows me to more effectively work with businesses from around the world. Additionally, Georgia Tech alums here in Atlanta are always happy to help out one of their own. I have found that in my profession, there are many Georgia Tech graduates and we all watch out for one another!
 

What advice you would give current students at Tech as well as the Sam Nunn School specifically?

One of the most important things for current students to consider is the importance of networking, both within the program and throughout the school. The contacts I made during classes as well as through extracurricular activities continue to be valuable to me. If I were a student again, I would take advantage of the alumni lunches, speaking series, and educational programs. Make sure to meet with your professors whenever possible - they have great advice and fabulous networks! Another great way to network within the Georgia Tech community is to get a job while you're in the International Affairs program. My graduate assistantship position gave me not only great work experience but it was a fabulous opportunity to get to know three Nunn School professors in a more collegial way.

What is something that you got from studying International Affairs at Tech?

Interantional Affairs at Tech provided me with a balanced look at international issues through the combination of theoretical and practical coursework. The wide range of elective classes offered to Nunn School students allows students to focus on specific issues or specific regions should they prefer to do that. I chose to vary my courses, and very much enjoyed this approach. One of my favorite classes was international business law taught by Professor Ken Cutshaw because he used a case study approach and exposed us to real life examples of global business strategies.