Tell us about the Drexel Solutions Institute DSI project you were involved in.
Ranjini: I was involved in three of the studies on Teammate Selection in Esports, focusing on how team processes unfold over time and how this affects team success and satisfaction.

What did you learn by working with external partners?
Ranjini: I learned and honed numerous hard and soft skills. I started working with DSI when I was a freshman and had no experience in the field of research. Through the opportunity to work on these projects with DSI, I learned how to quantify findings from literature and tailor it to the project’s needs. I also learned to use numerous data collection tools, code in R for cleaning and analyzing data, and articulately present the project’s data.

For you personally – what is the value of participating in projects that involve external partners?
Ranjini: These projects are doorways to further, valuable opportunities. They have given me a space to hone my skills, while also making connections, meeting and working with professionals in the field.

How has this opportunity impacted your Drexel experience?
Ranjini: These opportunities have equipped me with skills that have given me a head start to success in numerous courses at Drexel. Hence, the skills I have been practicing since my freshman year, I am still using in classes in my senior year such as Business Analytics 160 and 360.

What was your favorite part about participating in this opportunity?
Ranjini: My favorite part about this experience was the process involved in undertaking this project. The environment was such that I didn’t hesitate to ask any questions and I was able to learn from my teammates and mentors.

How has this project shaped your academic career beyond co-op?
Ranjini: The skills I have learned are transferable. I use them in so many different spectrums of my academic career – when presenting my work to professors, speaking in front of a 300-person classroom, coding in R for projects, working and communicating with teammates, and so many other aspects. This experience has been invaluable.