Soha Jiwana poses with an award at Robinson's annual Honors Day celebration.
photo credit: Vinesh Sahadeo Singh
As a finance associate at Unilever in her hometown of Karachi, Pakistan, Soha Jiwani handled various financial tasks and built a solid corporate finance foundation. However, she wanted to explore advanced financial concepts, especially those related to complex securities and derivatives. She dreamed of moving to the United States to continue her education.
“Georgia State was my top choice. Robinson’s risk program is among the top in the United States,” she said.
Jiwani earned an M.S. in Quantitative Risk Analysis & Management in December 2023, but her journey wasn’t without trials. Because of her status as an international student, she paid out-of-state tuition. By her second semester, she secured a graduate assistantship that covered tuition and significantly eased her financial worries.
“Being an international student was incredibly challenging. It wasn’t just about moving countries; it was about moving across an entire continent. Despite having lived in the U.K. and holding both British and Pakistani citizenship, the U.K. and the U.S. are worlds apart in terms of lifestyle and standard of living,” Jiwani said. “It took a lot of adjustment to adapt to the U.S. environment.”
Jiwani eventually befriended other international students and took memorable courses on risk sharing theory with Stephen H. Shore and financial engineering and interest rates with Ajay Subramanian.
In March 2023, Jiwani’s favorite instructor and mentor, Mohsen Mazaheri, tragically passed away.
“Professor Mazaheri was a strong supporter of international students,” she said. “His guidance was instrumental in helping me secure internships and navigate the professional landscape.”
After graduating, Jiwani moved to Memphis to work as a senior accountant for FedEx. The position aligns with her expertise and offers stability. Plus, the company has committed to sponsoring her H-1B visa, which has allowed her to stay in the U.S. Jiwani’s employer also is assisting with her green card application.
Jiwani is eager to continue leveraging her risk management and data analytics skills in the U.S. financial sector. Her education at Robinson has equipped her with the tools and knowledge needed to excel.