Fourth-year Bachelor of Management student Kanish Alluri
When Workday Student launched, Kanish Alluri saw an opportunity to revolutionize the student experience in course selection. Driven by a passion to make navigating course options more intuitive, he envisioned a tool that would offer personalized course recommendations tailored to each student’s interests and campus preferences. His idea was to transform the standard platform into a more user-friendly, goal-oriented guide, empowering students to discover courses that truly align with their academic goals. With plans to further develop his project, Kanish is setting his sights on a dynamic career in the tech industry, where he hopes to continue innovating solutions that make a difference.
Q: What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
A: What drew me to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO was the unique blend of business theory and practical application. The program’s emphasis on leadership, innovation, and sustainability resonated with my desire to develop skills that are not only relevant in the current market but also future-focused. UBCO’s collaborative learning environment and smaller class sizes appealed to me as it promised a more personalized and connected educational experience.
Q: What have been your biggest takeaways from the program so far?
A: My biggest takeaways from the program so far are the importance of adaptability, the power of diverse perspectives, and the value of building a well-rounded skill set. While the program emphasizes leadership and strategic thinking, I’ve made it a point to focus on learning technical skills as well—things like understanding data and improving my problem-solving techniques. This has complemented my managerial skills by helping me feel more confident in analyzing situations and making informed decisions. I’ve also realized how crucial it is to stay flexible and open-minded, especially when collaborating with others from different backgrounds.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of the program so far?
A: The most rewarding part of the program so far has been the chance to develop a strong combination of both managerial and technical skills. Whether it’s through group projects, case studies, or hands-on simulations, I’ve been able to apply what I’ve learned in ways that challenge me to think critically and solve complex problems. Building my technical skills alongside my management knowledge has been especially fulfilling, as it’s given me a deeper understanding of how different aspects of business come together. This balance of skills has made me feel more prepared to tackle real-world challenges in the future.
Q: Can you share what your chatbot project is about?
A: One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on is a course recommendation engine that allows students to interact with a chatbot. The idea behind it was to create a tool that could simplify the process of finding relevant courses based on individual interests. For example, if a student expresses interest in finance, the bot recommends all the finance-related courses available on campus. The bot also distinguishes between campuses, so whether a student is part of UBCO or UBCV, they receive tailored recommendations. Additionally, I built in a feature that allows the bot to answer more detailed questions about course content or topics, much like how ChatGPT provides conversational assistance. This project not only enhanced my technical skills but also demonstrated how AI can improve the student experience by making course selection more personalized and efficient.
Q: What inspired you to pursue this topic in your project?
A: What inspired me to pursue this project was the transition to the new Workday platform, which has changed how students manage their academic information. While it introduced some new features, I saw room for improvement, especially when it comes to course selection. I wanted to build a tool that could enhance the experience by offering personalized course recommendations based on a student’s interests and campus, something that could make navigating course options more intuitive and helpful. The idea was to complement the platform by creating a more user-friendly way for students to find the courses that best fit their goals and needs.
Q: Are you looking to further develop this project or take what you’ve learned and apply it to another project?
A: I’m definitely looking to further develop this project. There are so many possibilities to expand its functionality, such as integrating more advanced AI to make course recommendations even more tailored or incorporating real-time feedback from students about their experiences with certain courses. I’m also interested in exploring how the bot could connect with other systems to provide even more seamless academic planning. At the same time, what I’ve learned from building this project—like problem-solving and developing useful tools—is something I’m excited to apply to future projects in different areas.
Q: What advice or insight would you give to a prospective student considering the Bachelor of Management program?
A: Don’t hesitate to take initiative and explore your own interests beyond the curriculum. The program gives you a solid foundation in management, but if you’re curious about technology or other areas, pursue those alongside your studies. There’s a lot of room for creativity and independent growth, and you can build something unique that complements what you’re learning in class. Take advantage of the opportunities to work on your own projects and find ways to apply the management skills you gain in innovative ways.
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or student organizations on campus? If so, what inspired you to get involved?
A: Last year I was involved in the Finance Club and Age Link. Being part of the Finance Club allowed me to explore my interest in financial markets and connect with like-minded students. It was a great way to deepen my understanding of finance while also networking with professionals and peers who share the same passion. As for Age Link, I was inspired to get involved because it gave me the chance to engage with the community, particularly with older adults, and make a positive impact by bridging the generational gap. Both experiences were valuable in developing both my professional and interpersonal skills.
Q: What are your future career goals?
A: I’d like to get into the tech industry, ideally in roles like business intelligence or data analyst. I’m really interested in how data can drive decision-making and help businesses operate more efficiently. Through my projects and the skills, I’ve developed, I’ve gained a solid understanding of both the management and technical sides of things, and I want to continue building on that. I see myself working in a role where I can combine my analytical skills with a strategic mindset to solve real-world problems and contribute to innovative solutions.
Fouth-year Bachelor of Management student Kanish Alluri and friends