Virangi Shah, a first-year PhD student in Entrepreneurship and Organization at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, has achieved a remarkable milestone in her academic journey. Her paper, accepted at the prestigious Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) 2025 conference, marks an exciting achievement for the rising scholar and exemplifies her drive to make a significant impact in the field of entrepreneurship.
鈥淚 sought a PhD program that offered flexibility to study businesses holistically, while remaining deeply connected to practice. That鈥檚 when I discovered the Conrad School鈥檚 PhD in Entrepreneurship and Organization. What set it apart wasn鈥檛 just its strong academic foundation, but the faculty鈥檚 deep engagement in the business world and high-impact research."
Presenting at ASAC 2025 was more than just a platform to showcase her research; it was a unique opportunity to immerse herself in the vibrant academic and professional community.
"People often say conferences are for networking鈥攁nd sure, that is true. But ASAC 2025 reminded me that it鈥檚 so much more than just exchanging names and research interests,鈥 Virangi shared.
She noted that while it can feel intimidating at first to step out of one鈥檚 comfort zone and engage with new faces, the experience was transformative. Once you are in it, something shifts. You meet people from your own city you鈥檝e never crossed paths with, or bump into someone who knows your supervisor. You find others whose research just clicks with yours, and you reconnect with friends from different departments."
Virangi also expressed gratitude for the support she received throughout the experience. 鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly encouraging to have constant support from my supervisor, Shavin Malhotra. And when you meet faculty members whose work you鈥檝e long admired, like Anna Kim, it adds even more value to the experience.鈥
To top it all off, Virangi had the opportunity to volunteer with the ASAC team, further solidifying her connection to the community and enhancing her conference experience.
This early accomplishment is a testament to Virangi's dedication, and the solid foundation provided by the Conrad School鈥檚 PhD program. With such a promising start, it鈥檚 clear that this is just the beginning of what is sure to be an exciting academic career ahead.
