From Fairfield Dolan to Synchrony Financial: A Graduate Student’s Journey

By Bella Podgorski and Sofia Chianese ’28
(l-r): University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, with Sidharth Kumar Pradhan, a Fairfield Dolan graduate student pursuing dual MS degrees in business analytics and finance.

Sidharth Kumar Pradhan, is pursuing dual master's degrees in business analytics and finance at the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, while contributing to large-scale analytics projects as a business data analyst at Synchrony Financial Group, through a co-op program.

“AI-First” Mindset

An international student from India who arrived at Fairfield Dolan through the Miles Education program, Pradhan brings strong quantitative training and growing expertise in AI-driven analytics to his co-op role at Synchrony Financial. There, he is expected to think “AI and data first,” building dashboards, analyzing performance metrics, and working with cross-functional teams to inform high-stakes business decisions.

Inside the classroom, Pradhan’s coursework blends finance, analytics, and emerging AI tools—mirroring the data-driven challenges he encounters at Synchrony. Outside the classroom, he seeks professional development resources to continue building a career in the U.S.

Career Support

A key part of Pradhan’s career preparation has been Fairfield Dolan’s Career Development Center, particularly its recent launch of Interstride—a platform that supports international students navigating global career pathways. Pradhan quickly recognized Interstride’s value in a competitive job market and plans to continue to leveraging Dolan’s career resources as he completes his dual degree.

“The [Dolan Career Development Center] provides outstanding support for both undergraduate and graduate students," Pradhan said. “Interstride will play a crucial role for international students like me as we navigate the global job market, by providing tailored guidance, visa insights, and career pathways.” The platform also allows domestic students to explore internship and job opportunities abroad.

Pradhan noted that one of the most rewarding aspects of his Fairfield Dolan experience has been learning from faculty leaders in analytics and finance. “This foundation has prepared me to adapt to an AI-enabled workplace,” he said, “where data interpretation, automation, and strategic insight are essential.”

Through Fairfield Dolan’s career center programming—including Snack n’ Chats, LinkedIn workshops, and mock interviews—Phadhan gained practical guidance to navigate his job search as an international student, experiences that ultimately led to his co-op role at Synchrony Financial.

Now, well into his dual-degree programs, Pradhan describes his transition from the classroom to the corporate world as seamless. At Synchrony, he applies the AI-ready skill set developed at Fairfield Dolan to transform complex financial data into clear, actionable insights.

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