Vaishnavi Bhat’s life is a whirlwind of juggling a full class load, leading student organization efforts, working as a teaching assistant and participating in the prestigious Zachry Leadership Program. With color-coded spreadsheets and a meticulous planning journal, she manages it all with grace and gratitude.
“I’ve learned I can find a place to belong, no matter where I am.”
Vaishnavi’s ability to build strong connections was fostered by her family’s frequent moves and travels. Her father’s career provided opportunities for the family to relocate around the world, and family vacations provided further growth experiences. To this day, she maintains childhood friendships across the globe. “Engaging with different cultures led me to appreciate community,” she says. “I am always trying to find people I bond with and groups where I can add value.”
This outlook led her to participate in a variety of activities during her younger years. From science competitions to dance to journalism to orchestra, Vaishnavi stayed constantly engaged. She viewed high school, and now college, as the time in her life to try out as many experiences as possible.
As a freshman, Vaishnavi explored student organizations. She joined MSC Aggie Leaders of Tomorrow and soon found herself participating in multiple groups where she felt she could contribute.
For Vaishnavi, involvement with student organizations continually reinforces that working with others who have a shared purpose, sometimes alongside people she wouldn’t have expected to connect with, can lead to great friendships and personal growth.
“Each day, I’m learning how to become a compassionate, creative, and daring leader.”
In addition to her membership in numerous organizations, Vaishnavi serves in leadership positions that challenge and inspire her. “Every role brings something new,” she says. “Each of us brings a different perspective and leadership style. The challenge, and the beauty, is learning to work together to achieve a common goal.” She feels honored to have these opportunities that benefit the College of Engineering and the university.
One of Vaishnavi’s standout accomplishments was serving as the marketing coordinator for the Fall 2024 SEC (Student Engineers’ Council) Career Fair. The event connected over 10,000 students with 500 industry leaders and is the largest student-run engineering career fair in the nation.
Vaishnavi is the current vice chair of the MSC Spencer Leadership Conference which focuses on leadership development through three pillars: selfless service, self-authorship and innovative leadership. The annual three-day conference offers students the chance to engage with industry leaders, visit corporate sites and participate in a service event.
Vaishnavi credits her participation in the exclusive Zachry Leadership Program (ZLP) for teaching her to lead with confidence and purpose. “ZLP has set me up for success in more ways than I could imagine,” she explains, “The program teaches me to lean into my strengths, be my biggest advocate, and truly live in my values.”
ZLP’s camaraderie is another highlight for Vaishnavi. She’s forged lasting relationships with her cohort members who encourage one another to grow and strive toward their best selves. She feels the semester retreats are a great opportunity to reflect on values and how to live them out as leaders. She appreciates the time to get away and recharge before each semester, then come back inspired to make a difference.
“I felt something click when I discovered the industrial distribution program.”
Growing up in a family of engineers, Vaishnavi always knew she wanted to follow in their footsteps. When considering her options in the College of Engineering, she quickly found the industrial distribution (ID) program’s mix of engineering and business was an ideal fit for her.
She appreciates understanding how the pieces of industry fit together and has particularly enjoyed studying quality processes and control systems. “Being an ID student has really helped me come out of my shell and become a more dynamic engineer,” says Vaishnavi.
Working as a teaching assistant for Dr. Xiaofeng Nie provides another opportunity for leadership. She enjoys giving one-on-one time to students who ask for extra help outside of class. Dr. Nie describes Vaishnavi as “a role model with superb organization and a positive attitude.”
Last summer Vaishnavi interned in the domestic distribution department of American Omni Trading Company and has secured a procurement internship at Burns & McDonnell for summer 2025. She appreciates how an ID degree opens a wide range of career opportunities. Ultimately, she envisions a job that blends her technical knowledge with the people skills she is developing through ZLP and her leadership roles.
She praises her engineer parents for instilling her with strong positivity, and she attributes all her success to them.
“I try to find balance and appreciate every second.”
Despite her packed days, Vaishnavi understands the importance of making time for self-care and fun. Journaling, attending basketball and football games, and spending time with friends are great stress relievers. She even found a way to make preparing for tests more enjoyable through “study crawls,” which involve friends bouncing between locations on and around campus, grabbing coffee, lunch, and even sneaking a little shopping between study sessions.
For Vaishnavi, her motto of “blessed to be stressed” serves as a reminder that challenges are simply opportunities for growth. Despite the constant demands on her time, she approaches every day with gratitude, knowing that each experience helps her develop new skills that will serve her for a lifetime.