A native of Mumbai, India, Snehal Satish Kalke graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics with a master’s degree in business analytics and information management.
Kalke was nominated for this series by Academic Program Coordinator Sarah Dix. In this profile, Kalke shares her favorite UD memories, challenges she has overcome and her plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Kalke: I think I have changed a lot both professionally and personally since my first semester at the University of Delaware. Even though I already had prior work experience, studying here helped me expand my horizons and develop a much stronger business and analytical mindset beyond just technical execution. Through courses, projects and working with new technologies, AI concepts and real-world business applications, I continuously improved both my problem-solving and technical skills.
Personally, living independently taught me balance, adaptability and time management and surprisingly helped me discover that I genuinely enjoy cooking, especially while listening to music and singing in the kitchen.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Kalke: One of the biggest challenges for me was honestly learning how to handle everything on my own for the first time. Moving to a new country and living independently meant balancing academics, cooking, working on campus, taking care of my health and managing myself mentally too. There were definitely times when it felt overwhelming.
On top of that, the job search process is not easy either. Constant applications, uncertainty and rejections can really affect you at times. But I think these experiences make me more resilient. I learned to keep going, learn from every experience and not let setbacks stop me.
What really kept me motivated through everything was my family. Thinking about their support, sacrifices and belief in me always reminded me why I started and why I need to keep pushing forward.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Kalke: One of my favorite signature experiences at the University of Delaware was participating in HenHacks hackathon. It was honestly one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences during my time at UD because our team ended up winning the Best Problem Statement Execution award. What made it even more special for me was getting the opportunity to work closely with industry mentors, learn from their feedback and build something in a fast-paced environment.
I also enjoyed the challenge of working with technologies and ideas that I had never worked with before. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and reminded me how much I enjoy learning, collaborating and solving real problems with a team. The entire experience was intense, fun, and incredibly motivating at the same time.
Another major part of my UD experience has been my involvement in student organizations. Serving as vice president of the Indian Graduate Student Association and being part of the BAIM Graduate Student Association helped me connect with people from different backgrounds, organize events and build friendships and memories beyond academics. Those experiences together are what truly made UD feel like a second home for me.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Kalke: Yes, I was fortunate to have a few professors and staff members at Lerner College of Business and Economics who had a big impact on my experience, both academically and personally.
Professor John D’Arcy really changed the way I think about technology, cybersecurity, ethics and risk from a business perspective. His classes pushed me to think beyond just the technical side and understand the larger impact of technology decisions. Professor Guido also had a strong influence on me through his approach to analytics and problem solving, especially applying concepts to real-world business situations.
I also truly appreciated Professor Asli because she made complex database concepts approachable and helped strengthen my technical foundation throughout the program. Beyond academics, my academic coordinator Sarah was honestly one of the biggest support systems during my journey at UD. She was always approachable, encouraging, and genuinely cared about helping students navigate both academic and personal challenges. Dr. Andrea was also incredibly supportive throughout the program. Their guidance and encouragement made a huge difference in my overall experience at UD.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Kalke: To me, being a “Lifelong Lerner” means always staying curious and continuing to grow, both personally and professionally. My experience at Lerner College of Business and Economics taught me that learning goes far beyond the classroom. It comes from experiences, challenges, teamwork and being open to new ideas and perspectives.
Coming from a technical background, Lerner helped me expand the way I think by connecting technology, analytics and business together. I think being a Lifelong Lerner means always being willing to adapt, keep learning and use that knowledge to make a meaningful impact wherever life takes you.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Kalke: One piece of advice I would give incoming students is to not limit themselves only to academics. Some of my best experiences and biggest learning moments at the University of Delaware came from stepping outside the classroom, joining student organizations, participating in events like HenHacks, talking to professors, mentors, and simply putting myself out there.
I would also say do not be afraid of failure or rejection, especially during internships and job searches. There will be stressful moments, but every experience teaches you something and helps you grow.
And honestly, learn how to balance life outside academics too. For me, things as simple as cooking, listening to music, spending time with friends and taking care of myself mentally made a huge difference during stressful times. College goes by really fast, so try to enjoy the journey while growing through it.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Kalke: Following graduation from University of Delaware, I plan to continue building my career at the intersection of technology, analytics and business problem solving. Coming from a software engineering background and combining it with my graduate experience in business analytics, I want to work on roles where I can use both technical and analytical skills to solve real-world problems and create meaningful impact.
I am particularly interested in fields related to analytics, engineering, AI-driven decision making and backend systems where technology and business strategy come together. Long term, I want to continue learning, grow into leadership roles and contribute to solutions that help organizations make smarter and more data-driven decisions.