The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) hosted its annual Youth and Young Professionals Luncheon & Networking Event, a program designed to support high school and college students as they prepare for academic, professional, and personal transitions. It aimed to demystify the college admissions process, highlight the realities of university life, and provide strategies for academic success and professional growth.
Held on Tuesday, December 24, 2025, at Hampton Inn & Suites, Stamford, the event featured a panel discussion titled “College and Beyond,” bringing real-world insights to students and families.
The event was sponsored by LCR Capital Partners, Westport, CT and Hampton Inn & Suites, Stamford.
Panelists offered perspectives from leading universities and industries. The discussion was moderated by Subha Pandalai, head of IT at J.M. Wright Technical High School, Stamford. Panelists included: Amika Chavan – Freshman, University of Maryland, College Park; Nitish Gannu – Sophomore, Cornell University; Aryan Wadhwa – Junior, Purdue University; Brian Thomas – Junior, NYU Stern School of Business; Jay Rathod – Senior, University of Connecticut; Vedant Gannu – Master’s Program, Columbia University; Professional at Google, California; Sandesh Gawande – CEO, ICEDQ.AI, Stamford, CT; and Mirat Joshi, director and Global Strategic & Regulatory Initiatives Leader at Citibank and GOPIO-CT Secretary.
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The event opened with welcoming remarks by GOPIO-CT Vice President Sonali Gannu, followed by introductory remarks by GOPIO Chairman and GOPIO-CT Advisor/Trustee Dr. Thomas Abraham.
- Adjusting to college:
“College brings freedom with accountability… you must be intentional about who you become, not just what you study,” said Cornell sophomore Nitish Gannu. - Building mentorships:
“Show up consistently, ask thoughtful questions, and build genuine relationships long before you need a recommendation,” noted UConn senior Jay Rathod. - Advanced degrees and career value:
“A master’s degree is worth pursuing when it deepens expertise, opens doors, or accelerates growth beyond industry alone,” shared Google professional Vedant Gannu. - Exploration and change:
“I thought I had it figured out early, but new experiences helped me find what truly fits me,” reflected UMD freshman Amika Chavan. - Balancing academics and life:
“Say yes early, try different clubs, and learn to prioritize so everything supports each other,” said Purdue junior Aryan Wadhwa. - Maximizing university resources:
NYU Stern junior Brian Thomas advised students to proactively engage with “career centers, alumni networks, internships, and professors—not just in senior year.” - Employer expectations:
ICEDQ.AI CEO Sandesh Gawande emphasized that “curiosity, adaptability, communication, and continuous learning matter more than technical knowledge alone.”