From Transfer Student to Chief Growth Officer: How RIT Shaped My Career
Sourav Srimal ’07 (finance) reflects on his RIT experience
I joined the Rochester Institute of Technology as a transfer student from India, entering as a sophomore with big ambitions and plenty of uncertainty. Looking back, choosing RIT was one of the most defining decisions of my life, academically, professionally, and personally.
What immediately stood out at RIT was the strength of the curriculum and faculty. I majored in Finance and minored in Economics, and those disciplines continue to shape how I think every single day. The concepts I learned in microeconomics and macroeconomics are tools I still rely on in my current role, whether I’m evaluating markets, understanding risk, or making strategic decisions. The rigor of RIT’s coursework was so strong that when I later pursued my MBA, the academic transition felt remarkably smooth.
One course that truly changed my trajectory was Business Communications. I was extremely shy and a poor presenter at the time, but that class helped me build confidence, structure my thoughts, and communicate clearly. Today, I regularly speak at industry conferences and webinars across North America and Europe, something I could never have imagined as a student.
RIT also provided exposure well beyond the classroom. I vividly remember meeting President Bill Clinton, who visited the Computer Science department and later served as my commencement speaker. Experiences like that reinforced RIT’s ability to connect students with leaders shaping the world.
As an international student, the RIT Job Fair played a crucial role in helping me understand the realities of the job market. I initially planned to pursue International Business, but through conversations with recruiters, I quickly learned where opportunities truly existed. Finance and accounting firms were hiring, and that market feedback allowed me to pivot early and align my career path with real demand, an invaluable lesson I carry with me to this day.
I also benefited tremendously from interview preparation and alumni support. Alumni regularly volunteered their time to help with resumes and mock interviews, reinforcing how strong and supportive the RIT community truly is.
Outside academics, my on-campus jobs, working at the café and computer labs, taught me discipline, time management, and the importance of showing up consistently, no matter the role. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career. I even learned golf at RIT, a skill that later became surprisingly impactful as I progressed professionally and built relationships through the sport.
Perhaps most importantly, RIT’s Job Zone directly launched my career. In 2006, I secured an internship at Advantage Data through the platform. Nearly 20 years later, that opportunity has come full circle. Following acquisitions and growth, I now serve as the Chief Growth Officer at Solve, a fintech company based in the United States.
RIT didn’t just prepare me for my first job—it prepared me for a career. It taught me how to think critically, adapt to market realities, communicate effectively, and continuously learn. I hope my journey inspires current students and future applicants to fully embrace everything RIT has to offer, both inside and outside the classroom.
Go Tigers!
View Sourav Srimal's LinkedIn profile
