Autumn 2019 Buffalo Business 19
workplace or connecting on the alumni
network, I'm more than happy to because
there's a tremendous amount of opportuni-
ty, personal development and growth that
can happen."
Joe Meosky, BS '20, says he hopes to
someday work in an environment like the
one he saw on the trip at Optimizely, a digi-
tal marketing soware startup they visited.
"Some of us had never been on a plane
before or even out of Buffalo," he says.
"Getting out and having the chance to see
an entirely different life is really import-
ant because it shows you there are a lot of
opportunities and a massive network of UB
alumni all over the world you can tap into."
When the group visited Ingmar
Haff ke, MBA '11, at Visa, they saw what
makes the global payment technology com-
pany tick. Haff ke and two other School of
Management alumni, Naresh Kumar Chava,
MS '18, and Preetha Narayanaswamy, MBA
'11, shared their journeys from UB to Visa,
gave an overview of what the company does
and discussed career opportunities.
"Looking back on the past 10 years, I
realize how my time in Buffalo and my UB
degree put me on the path that led me to
where I am now," says Haff ke. "I am grate-
ful for the life-changing choice to attend UB
and am happy to share some of my experi-
ences and what I've learned with the next
generation of students."
Thirth Patel, MBA '20, says he saw the
impact of the UB alumni network at a meet-
up in San Francisco, where they connect-
ed with local alumni for food, drinks and
conversation.
"The alumni gave us an unfiltered look
at what it's like living there," he says. "Now I
feel like I'm ready to take on the Valley."
Tech Trek is part of the School of
Management's Experience the 50 program,
in which students explore U.S. cities to learn
about business and social impact. To learn
more, visit bit.ly/experiencethe50. x
" It was a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to see the different
facets of startups through
the eyes of UB alumni."
Joshua Israel, BS '19
At left: UB students outside the Google building
in San Francisco. Above, clockwise from left:
Mary Rose Machajewski, BS '13, at GoPro;
Preetha Narayanaswamy, MBA '11, and Ingmar
Haffke, MBA '11, at Visa; and the group at GoPro.
At right: "The barn" at GoPro.
