Balakrishna Rao Tirunagiri: When you come to Cornell, you feel like you belong

What does being a Cornellian mean to you?
I’m writing this as I’m sitting in my single most favorite place in the world: A.D White Hall in the Uris Library. Something about this place is so magical that it brings out the strongest emotions in me. Perhaps it’s the feeling that everyone around me is united by a shared purpose: to make a long-lasting impact in the world. It is here that I have encountered intellectual minds, engaged in thought-provoking discussions and been inspired by the passion and dedication of the people around me.

To me, this is what being a Cornellian means. It represents more than just a university affiliation; it embodies a transformative experience that extends far beyond the boundaries of academia. Being a Cornellian means being united by shared identity and pride in the university’s core values and traditions. It means upholding the spirit of learning, growing and embracing the university’s founding principles in every aspect of life. And when you come to Cornell, you feel like you belong.

So, what does it mean to be a Cornellian? EVERYTHING. It is a privilege and an honor to be a Cornellian, and it means everything to me as it has shaped me into the person I am today. It will continue to inspire me to strive for excellence, lead with integrity and leave a lasting impact on society.
 

Who inspired or influenced you during your time at Cornell?
I’ve had the privilege to meet and learn from some of industries greatest leaders and experts. However, David Schneider had the greatest influence on me during my time at Cornell. He taught SYSEN 5100 – Model-Based Systems Engineering, and it was by far the best class I have ever taken in my career. We met our learning objectives for the class by building actual robots and competing against other teams’ robots. So cool! Professor Schneider also made the class extremely interactive and interesting, and I would always look forward to sitting in his class (probably the only class where I had 100% attendance). He used tons of movie references like Star Wars, Iron Man, etc. to teach systems engineering concepts in the most fun and interesting way. He is by far the most influential person at Cornell for me and I hope to carry his passion for the subject into my professional career.
 

What will you miss the most about Cornell?
The campus. It has this charming vibe that cannot be explained by words. The campus stands on top of a hill with gorges and falls spread across the campus. The architecture of the buildings and libraries make me feel like I’m in real life Hogwarts. There’s also the McGraw Tower with its chimes ringing out across the campus. I’ve heard the Chimesmaster play all kinds of songs: from The Beatles to Taylor Swift.

And of course, the Fuertes Observatory with its massive refractor telescope, affectionately called IRV. Through the telescope, I got to see a plethora of celestial objects. From planets such as Jupiter and Saturn to Orion Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy.

I will really miss watching the beautiful sunsets on the Libe Slope, taking in the panoramic views from top of the McGraw Tower and the magical nights stargazing in the Fuertes Observatory.
 

What surprised you most about your Cornell experience?
I was surprised by the abundance of resources and support that are available to me. The level of support available to students is truly overwhelming, spanning various aspects of learning, projects, professional growth, career development, and extracurricular activities. From e-Cornell, which offers an extensive range of learning opportunities, to CU e-links, a platform connecting students with accomplished alumni, and Handshake, a valuable resource for job searches, the university leaves no stone unturned in providing comprehensive support.  There’s career development programs and mock interviews happening almost every day. Moreover, the presence of a graduate field assistant ensures that students receive continuous support throughout their time at Cornell.  And this is just the surface. Frankly, there’s so many resources that I am still finding and learning about new ways to improve myself professionally.
 

What accomplishment as a Cornell student makes you most proud?
It’s not necessarily my accomplishments that I’m proud of but the person I have become. M.Eng. in Systems Engineering has been very rigorous and pushed me to develop strong technical, analytical and leadership skills. I have taken my classroom learnings and implemented them into solving real-world problems through projects. Today I am a problem-solver, innovator and a strong leader. And I’m certain that the person I am today will be enable me to be successful in every step of my future career journey.
 

What moments, big or small, made your Big Red experience special?
I was the president of the INCOSE Finger Lakes Chapter during my time at Cornell. I really enjoyed the weekly meetings under the guidance of Wes Hewett. We worked on a very impactful project, and I enjoyed every moment working with my team, brainstorming ideas, and coming up with solutions. I believe it’s the interaction with my team, the fun banter, and the bonding that really made my Big Red experience so special.

Also, I met and took pictures with Ryan Howard from “The Office” sitcom when he visited Cornell.
 

What are your plans “Post Cornell”?
As an aspiring supply chain analyst, my plans after completing my degree involve pursuing opportunities that allow me to apply my skills and knowledge in practical settings. I aspire to secure a position in a company or organization where I can contribute to optimizing supply chain operations through data analysis and advanced modeling techniques. Additionally, I intend to continue expanding my technical expertise by pursuing certifications and carrying out projects in the field of data analytics, machine learning and supply chain management. Ultimately, my goal is to leverage my data-driven skills to drive informed decision-making, optimize supply chain performance and contribute to the success of organizations in an increasingly complex and competitive business landscape.