Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences, University of Pennsylvania ’25
Bachelor of Engineering, R. V. College of Engineering ’18
1. Introduction: Background & Expectations
“The way I approach life is to keep asking questions and try and do things that I may not be comfortable with, or I may not have experience with,” Shankar Sriram (MBDS ’25) begins.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Shankar spent five years in the automotive industry, focusing on business development and operations. When the work started to feel routine, he knew he was ready for a new challenge—one that would expand how he understood decisions and organizations. That search led him to the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences (MBDS) program at the University of Pennsylvania.
“I was drawn to the Penn MBDS program because I wanted to supplement my worldview with a social science lens,” he explains. “I wanted to hone in on how organizations can make better decisions.”
From the start, the program met—and raised—those expectations. It challenged him not just to learn, but to apply, question, and evolve how he approached real-world problems.
“Throughout the MBDS program, I got to apply exactly what I learned—whether it's in designing real-world experiments or analyzing surveys. It made me a more confident professional for what was to come later.”
2. Applied Behavioral Science
Through MBDS, Shankar discovered that behavioral science is not confined to a single role or industry—it is a lens that can be applied everywhere.
“I think that opened up my mind to the possibilities of how we can actually apply behavioral science in various contexts,” he says.
Across coursework, projects, and peer interactions, he saw how behavioral insights could shape strategy, improve decision-making, and influence outcomes across domains. What began as an academic interest quickly became a practical toolkit.
“Throughout the MBDS program, I got to apply exactly what I learned—whether it's in designing real-world experiments or analyzing surveys. It made me a more confident professional for what was to come later.”
3. Design Challenge & Industry Affiliates
A defining moment in Shankar’s experience was the Design Challenge.
“The capstone is one of the biggest selling points for MBDS because it helps us work real-time with clients… applying what we learn through our coursework and seeing it come to life.”
Working with MBDS industry affiliate Project Inspire —a nonprofit soccer league for athletes with intellectual disabilities—Shankar found a project deeply aligned with his personal values. Charged with the question “How can we help reduce bias against athletes with intellectual disabilities?” his team conducted research, collected data, and developed strategic recommendations.
“In the Design Challenge, we get to be principal consultants for the clients, and our faculty and alumni coaches act as mentors—like in a consulting practice,” he explains.
The impact was tangible.
“I’m proud to say we saw some of the language recommendations that we shared being applied in how they communicate in their social media.”
4. Courses & Faculty
Shankar highlights the structure and quality of the academic experience as central to his growth.
“The courses were designed exceptionally well for us to apply what we were learning week after week and see progress in our projects and research,” he says.
The curriculum—spanning behavioral science, experimentation, and data analysis—strengthened both his technical and strategic capabilities.
Equally important was the faculty.
“The faculty are incredible. One thing that I noticed is how invested they are in their students’ success,” Shankar shares.
He specifically acknowledges instructors such as Dr. Alex Shpenev, Dr. Eugen Dimant, and Dr. Nazli Bhatia for their impact on his learning journey.
5. Penn Resources
Beyond the classroom, Shankar fully engaged with the broader Penn ecosystem. He worked as a research assistant at the Penn Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics, contributed to consulting projects through the Penn Graduate Consulting Club, and taught a personal finance course through the Wharton Global Youth Program.
“As an MBDS program representative with LPSGov for my cohort,” he adds, “I also had the privilege of helping our students bridge learning gaps, be a voice for the students, and help them better connect with faculty and administration.”
These experiences allowed him to extend his learning into new domains, combining behavioral science with social impact and community engagement.
6. Students & Alumni Interaction
The MBDS community played a critical role in shaping Shankar’s experience.
“No two students in the MBDS program are alike,” he says, reflecting on a cohort that included professionals from banking, technology, the arts, and more. “Every time I spoke to a classmate, I was just blown away by their experience and how versatile we are.”
This diversity created a constant exchange of ideas and perspectives.
“I learned as much from my classmates, my friends, as I did from the coursework and faculty.”
He also actively connected with alumni through networking events, gaining insights that helped him refine his professional direction.
“I took away a little bit from all of my interactions… to position and prepare myself for my future.”
“I'm grateful for everything I've learned through the MBDS program and look forward to continuing to apply it throughout my professional career.”
7. Professional Development
Shortly after graduating in August 2025, Shankar joined the United Nations Federal Credit Union as a customer experience management practice manager.
“I wanted to be in a role where I can apply not just the theory but those skills in practice… to help teams apply human-centered design more effectively.”
His career path reflects one of the program’s key outcomes: the ability to translate behavioral science into real organizational value.
Equally important, MBDS reshaped his aspirations.
“I'd never done social impact work before coming into Penn. As soon as I got a touch of that, I said, okay, this is where I want to go,” he says.
“I'm grateful for everything I've learned through the MBDS program and look forward to continuing to apply it throughout my professional career.”
