Student Employee: Aniruddha (Ani) Kulkarni
September 25, 2024 | By Reem Hasan
Aniruddha Kulkarni – or as his friends know him, Ani – is a man of many trades. Originally from Pune, India, Ani moved to Raleigh in 2023, where he began a master’s program in computer science at NC State. During his first month, he secured an on-campus job as an event set-up assistant for NC State Student Center, a part of Campus Enterprises, the university’s retail and hospitality division. His friends motivated him to apply, as they also worked on campus and spoke highly of their experiences.
Ani got event planning and set-up experience during his undergraduate years at Vishwakarma University Institute of Technology, so the set-up position caught his attention.
Prior experiences equipped Ani with essential skills that helped him establish himself. He quickly progressed from set-up assistant to event manager.
“Starting as a set-up assistant helped me learn the operations aspect,” he explained, “which helped facilitate moving into management.”
Ani’s daily tasks include helping coordinate events to tailor each essential need.
“If they need a projector set up or a podium, I ensure all of this is organized before the event occurs,” he continued. “I try to be as accommodating as possible and have learned to anticipate other needs.”
His work ethic hasn’t gone unnoticed; Ani recently won the CE Spotlight Award for his leadership, dedication, and exceptional customer service.
Ani has truly made the most of his time here at NC State, overcoming the challenges, establishing new friendships, adjusting to a new schedule, and finding a campus job. For Ani, it was meant to be. While he was accepted to numerous universities across the United States, he thinks back to a favorite poster of a wolf that hung on his bedroom wall back home.
“It felt like a sign,” Ani said. “Maybe I was meant to be a part of the Wolfpack all along.”
- College:
Undergrad: Vishwakarma University Institute of Technology - Grad: NC State University College of Engineering
- Major/minor:
Computer Science - Hometown:
Pune, India - Clubs/Student Involvement:
- Work Department:
NC State Student Centers
