Anushka Gupta
Pre-MS Job Title and Company:
Owner/Founder: Ammu Slimes (small business)
Post-CBS Goals:
Build a career in consumer-focused marketing, with roles in digital marketing, brand strategy, or consumer insights.
CBS Activities or Clubs:
Peer Advisor, Marketing Association of Columbia, Retail & Luxury Goods Club, Beauty Club, South Asia Business Association
Favorite NYC Activities:
Spending time in Central Park
Fun Fact about yourself:
I have an unreal spice tolerance – I still haven’t met anyone who can out-spice me!
What drew you to pursue a Master of Science degree at Columbia Business School?
I joined Columbia Business School to build on what I started with my small business, Ammu Slimes – a brand I created from scratch that grew from a fun experiment into a purpose-driven product helping people with stress and mindfulness. I wanted to take the creative, intuitive side of my work and give it more structure. My business taught me how much I enjoy understanding people, creating experiences, and turning emotion into strategy. Columbia Business School’s MS in Marketing program felt like the perfect place to deepen that blend of creativity and analytics and learn how to translate empathy into data-driven marketing. And being in New York City – surrounded by the most inspiring brands and creative energy – made it the ideal place to grow.
Which courses or professors have had the biggest impact on your learning so far?
Digital Marketing with Professor Dante Donati has had the biggest impact on me because that class genuinely felt like coming home. Everything I’d been doing while building Ammu Slimes finally made sense from an academic perspective, and I could connect the frameworks directly to my own experience.
Behavioral Economics & Decision Making with Professor Eric Johnson was another standout – it completely changed the way I think about consumer behavior and how small cues can shape big decisions.
I also really loved Intro to User Experience with Professor Paul Canetti. He’s an amazing professor, and the class opened up a whole new way of thinking about design, empathy, and how people interact with products and experiences.
And as someone who had zero background in coding and was honestly scared of it, taking Python for MBAs and Intro to Databases with Professor Mattan Griffel was a turning point. He made the material so accessible that it felt like a personal accomplishment. Those courses didn’t just teach me technical skills – they made me more confident, and I recommend them to everyone.
What’s been the most valuable insight or skill you’ve gained from learning at Columbia Business School?
It’s not just one thing but a mix of several skills that have shaped me. The biggest has been gaining confidence by constantly pushing myself outside my comfort zone. The second has been learning to break problems down systematically. Whether it’s consumer behavior, product design, or data analysis, I now think in frameworks. Before, I relied mainly on intuition; now I know how to structure decisions, test assumptions, and build solutions that actually make sense in the real world. And honestly, balancing coursework, group projects, and life in New York has taught me time management in a way nothing else has. Above all, I’ve realized how much stronger ideas become when they’re built alongside people who think differently.
What have been some of the most valuable relationships or connections you’ve built through this program?
Some of the most meaningful relationships I’ve built at Columbia Business School have been with the friends I’ve made – both within the MSM program and outside of it. Having people who understand your journey, cheer you on, and grow with you has been one of the best parts of my experience.
I’ve also appreciated the support from professors, who create an environment where it’s easy to ask questions and stay engaged. Their teaching style has made me feel more confident in the classroom.
Another unexpected but special part of my experience has been the bond I built with the Office of Student Affairs during my Peer Advisor training. I got to spend real time with them, and it turned into a lifelong connection. Even my CMC (Career Management Center) advisor, Christina Hwang, has become someone I rely on not just for career guidance, but for perspective and support.
All these relationships matter because they make you feel like you truly belong here –like you’re part of a community that’s rooting for you.
How has access to Columbia Business School’s resources and alumni network shaped your professional opportunities or mentorship experiences?
The Career Management Center has been helpful – from refining my resume and pitches to giving me guidance whenever I need it. Having that kind of support makes the whole recruiting process feel much less intimidating.
The alumni network has also played a big role. People are genuinely kind, always willing to respond, hop on a call, and share advice or answer questions. It’s been amazing to see how open and supportive the Columbia Business School community is.
And honestly, the club events are a resource of their own. If you just take advantage of everything available, you’ll always find something valuable – whether it’s career insight, connections, or simply learning from people who’ve been in your shoes.
What would you tell a prospective student about managing the fast-paced structure of the MS program? Any application tips you would like to share?
The MS program moves fast, but it’s completely manageable if you stay organized and pace yourself. You don’t have to have everything figured out on day one – and honestly, no matter how it looks from the outside, everyone is trying to figure things out as they go. So don’t get intimidated. Ask for help, communicate, and talk to people. You’ll be surprised by how many shared interests and experiences you discover, and how much support you get when you reach out.
For applications, my biggest tip is to be genuine. Talk about what truly excites you and why this program feels right for you. You don’t need the “perfect” story – you just need your real one. And once you’re here, use the resources around you. If you show up, participate, and take advantage of what CBS offers, you’ll get so much out of the experience.
What has been the most rewarding part of your MS journey so far?
The most rewarding part of my MS journey has been the personal growth – realizing how much I’m capable of when I push myself. From stepping into classes I once found intimidating to building real friendships and finding people who genuinely support and inspire me, I’ve grown in ways I didn’t expect.
Another highlight has been becoming a Peer Advisor. We were the very first cohort of PAs for the MS program, and being part of something that didn’t exist before felt meaningful. A lot of the structure came from the ideas and feedback we shared early on – from the focus groups I participated in to the suggestions we gave that eventually shaped how the program looks today. Supporting incoming students and helping build something from scratch made me feel much more connected to the CBS community.
It’s also been rewarding to see my creative instincts and academic learning come together, especially when I recognize pieces of my journey showing up in class discussions and projects. Most of all, it’s the feeling of belonging – being part of a community where everyone is driven, kind, and figuring things out together.
Lastly, it’s interesting how differently I look at things now – places don’t feel unattainable anymore, the world doesn’t feel as big, and nothing seems impossible or out of reach. Everything feels more accessible, and that mindset shift has been one of the most empowering parts of this experience.
Post-MS career interests?
After the MS program, I’m interested in roles that sit at the intersection of creativity, consumer insight, and strategy. I’m especially drawn to digital marketing, brand management, and consumer insights/experience within CPG, retail, or luxury – fields where I can combine my creative instincts with the analytical skills I’ve built at Columbia Business School. Long term, I’m excited about working with purpose-driven brands and eventually building something of my own again, where I can apply everything I’ve learned.