Nadika Sharma

Author: Nadika Sharma

Economics and Business Analytics double major and a Data Science minor at Lawrence University as well as an Event Coordinator at Pan Asian Organization and Social Media Manager at LU Data Science Club.

Informational Interview with Bimalsen Rajbhandari: Financial Decision Data Analyst

I had the opportunity to interview Bimalsen Rajbhandari, a Financial Decision Data Analyst at Northwestern Medicine, and a Lawrence University alum from the Class of 2017. He earned a BA in Mathematics and Economics at Lawrence and later completed a Master of Science in Data Science at the University of Chicago. He spoke about how Lawrence played a major role in shaping both his technical and interpersonal skills. Being deeply involved on campus as President of Lawrence International, Founder and Past President of the Rotaract Club, and Student Administrative Coordinator at the International House helped him build leadership, time management, and communication skills that he now uses daily in a professional setting.

In his current role at Northwestern Medicine, Bimal focuses heavily on coding, financial modeling, and data driven decision support. He works with large datasets to analyze financial and operational performance, build models, and support strategic decisions within the healthcare system. He emphasized that his work requires not only strong technical skills, especially in tools like R, Python, SQL, and Excel, but also the ability to clearly communicate insights to non technical stakeholders. He shared that working in healthcare adds a meaningful layer to analytics, since the outcomes directly support patient care and institutional sustainability

Before Northwestern Medicine, he worked as a Senior Data Analyst at BCDVideo, where he strengthened his technical foundation through daily SQL coding, dashboard development, forecasting, and statistical analysis. He emphasized that building these skills early, along with earning certifications and staying curious, helped him grow confidently into more complex roles. He also highlighted the importance of networking and staying connected to the Lawrence community. Bimal shared that he enjoys talking with students, answering questions, and offering guidance, and encouraged Lawrence students to reach out for informational interviews, especially if they are interested in data, finance, or healthcare analytics.

Informational Interview with Jenna Stone: Consulting

I had the opportunity to interview Jenna Stone, a Higher Education Consulting Manager at Huron, and learn more about her career path and current work. In her role, she partners with colleges and universities to bring a financial lens to strategic decision-making, including budget models, financial modeling, academic strategy, and resource allocation. One thing that stood out was her mission-centered approach to finance; she emphasized that in higher education and nonprofit work, money is always a tool to support people and values, not the end goal.

Jenna is an alumni (Class of 2000), where she earned a BA in Philosophy and Mathematics at Lawrence University. She later completed her master’s degree in Philanthropy and Development at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. After graduate school, she returned to Lawrence and worked there for over 20 years in roles such as Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Executive Director of Budget and Planning, and Associate Vice President of Finance. She reflected on how “Lawrence busy” shaped her professionally. Both as a student and as a staff member, she was constantly juggling multiple responsibilities, deadlines, and stakeholders. While that environment could feel hectic at the time, she shared that it closely mirrors the pace and complexity of work outside of University as well. Learning how to prioritize, communicate clearly, and stay organized under pressure made her transition into consulting feel more natural and manageable.

She explained that her work at Huron now feels more structured and focused in comparison. Instead of responding to many issues at once, she typically works on one to two mid- to long-term project at a time. She also emphasized how important networking was in making the move from Lawrence to Huron, especially the support of her mentor and her mentor’s network. She encouraged students to prioritize networking and informational interviews, noting that relationships often open doors to opportunities. She also shared that consulting requires a balance of technical skills and communication, and that having experience with tools or languages like Python or R can be a strong advantage. Overall, her career path highlighted how a liberal arts background, combined with strong time management skills and relationship building, can lead to meaningful and impactful work.

Tyler Donnelly: Immersing in Music and Diversity

Tyler Donnelly ‘27, Major: Musical Arts

Faculty Member: Drum Sets

New York Jazz Academy 

The summer of 2025, Tyler had the incredible opportunity to intern in the heart of New York’s jazz scene at the New York Jazz Academy. As part of the faculty team, he were not only teaching lessons but also performing daily with accomplished musicians. This role allowed Tyler to gain firsthand experience in both instruction and performance, developing his skills while forming valuable connections with faculty and fellow musicians. The experience opened doors to future opportunities and set the foundation for a growing network within the music industry.

But the connections didn’t stop at work. Tyler lived in Jackson Heights, Queens, one of the most diverse neighborhoods, surrounded by people from all over the globe. Despite language barriers, Tyler enjoyed the cultural diversity of the area, learning about different traditions through food, music, and interactions with neighbors. Many of the students at the academy also came from diverse backgrounds, making it a helpful opportunity to practice teaching in a multicultural environment.

This summer was a transformative experience for Tyler, where he grew both as a musician and a person. The challenges he faced in teaching, building the network, and adapting to a culturally rich environment pushed him to grow in ways he never expected. He is already looking forward to returning to New York in the future to continue building on this growth!

This internship was made possible through generous donor funding, which supports students in gaining real-world experience without the stress of balancing summer expenses. Hoping to intern next summer? Schedule an appointment at the Career Center and we can help you! The summer internship funding application will open in early January, after we get back from break. Summer Funding

Kaitlin: Overcoming Challenges and Finding New Paths

Kaitlin Buelow ‘26, Majors: German, English Literature

Government Relations Intern

Bread for the World

Kaitlin spent her summer interning at Bread for the World in Washington, D.C., where she encountered both professional and personal challenges. As a newcomer to the world of D.C. advocacy, Kaitlin initially felt disconnected due to her different background from her co-workers and supervisors. Despite the diversity around her, she struggled to find common ground in casual conversations with coworkers. However, when she connected with regional advocacy leaders Florence French and Nicole Schmidt, Kaitlin found a shared passion for fighting hunger that helped her build meaningful relationships.

While working at the D.C. office, Kaitlin began to reflect on her own future and her desire to make an impact. She recognized that being in D.C. wasn’t the only way to help make positive change in the world, nor the place where she’d be most effective in doing so. Instead, she decided to focus on the tangible, local effects of policy on communities like hers back home. This realization led her to pursue Education courses in her final year at Lawrence and work toward her teaching license.

Despite shifting her focus, Kaitlin’s time at Bread for the World was transformative. She improved her writing skills, with a piece published in Bread’s Institute Insights, and worked on her professional communication abilities. Whether working independently or as part of a team, Kaitlin learned to adapt, reconnect after miscommunications, and persevere through challenges. Kaitlin mentioned “My experience at Bread has not simply opened doors to me, but given me the tools to open them for myself.” 

This internship was made possible through generous donor funding, which supports students in gaining real-world experience without the stress of balancing summer expenses. Hoping to intern next summer? Schedule an appointment at the Career Center and we can help you! The summer internship funding application will open in early January, after we get back from break.

Economics and Business Analytics double major and a Data Science minor at Lawrence University as well as an Event Coordinator at Pan Asian Organization and Social Media Manager at LU Data Science Club. Connect with Nadika in LinkedIn

Fox Communities Credit Union

Founded in 1937, Fox Communities Credit Union (Fox CU) has grown from a small mill workers’ cooperative into an institution with $3B in assets, 134,000+ members, and 20+ branches across Northeast and Southeast Wisconsin.

What They Do

Fox CU provides personal banking, business lending, and digital banking services, all with a member-owned, community-focused model. Their mission: “Partner with members, communities, and our Fox Family to build stronger financial futures.”

Culture & Values

Core values like “Pay it forward” and “Seek to understand” highlight their focus on service, teamwork, and community impact. Employees enjoy strong benefits, coaching, and opportunities for growth.

Entry Points for Students & Grads

  • Teller/Member Service Rep roles in branches
  • Call center & digital support positions
  • Specialist roles like fraud or credit analysis (with some experience)
  • Internship-style entry roles in customer support and operations

Why Fox CU?

Unlike traditional banks, Fox CU prioritizes members over profits and emphasizes local impact. For students, it’s a great way to gain experience in finance, customer service, and community engagement while working in a supportive environment.

Hoffmaster: A Career Snapshot for Students & Grads

Hoffmaster, headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is a leading producer of premium disposable tableware — napkins, plates, bakeware, straws, and table covers. Their products serve both the foodservice industry (restaurants, hotels, healthcare) and retail consumers (party and household goods).

Company at a Glance

  • Founded in 1947
  • 1,000–5,000 employees across multiple U.S. locations
  • Mission: “Elevate dining and entertaining with sustainable, convenient solutions.”
  • Core values: Safety, Teamwork, Customer Focus, Ownership

Career Opportunities

Hoffmaster offers a range of roles:

  • Operations: machine operators, packers, production assistants
  • Technical: maintenance and quality technicians
  • Business: customer service, planning, and support functions
  • Entry Points: production floor jobs, internships, and training-based technical roles

What Sets Them Apart

Hoffmaster stands out with a long history of innovation in tableware and a growing commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly products. For students or grads, it’s a chance to enter the consumer goods industry with clear paths to grow in operations, technical, or business careers.