These amazing people have some pretty interesting jobs, so we’re bringing you a fun peek into their work-world along with some of their personal facets. This series will be ongoing, so if you have anyone you’d like to nominate as a potential Spotlight feature, put it in the comments, or send us an email. Enjoy!
Spotlight on Praveen Aggarwal
Praveen Aggarwal is the Interim Dean of UMD's Labovitz School of Business and Economics (LSBE). This is Praveen's 25th year with LSBE. He started his current role in June 2021. Prior to that, Praveen served as LSBE’s associate dean for nine years and department head for Marketing and Management Studies for a total of seven years.
In his current role as Interim Dean of LSBE, Praveen works closely with the BBER, supporting the BBER's strategic planning efforts and advocating for the BBER throughout the university and in the community. Fun fact: Praveen also contributed to a 2003 BBER study on Tax Revenue Impacts and Marketing of Northern Minnesota's Iron Trail.
What does a typical day look like in your job?
In this job, there is no typical day. I am in a lot of meetings on most days. I invest a fair amount of time preparing for the meetings so that we can make good use of the time we spend in those meetings. Each meeting could also generate a number of things that I need to then follow-up on. I make a conscious effort to make myself accessible to faculty, staff, and students by holding regular office hours and having an open-door policy. I try to stay abreast of industry trends by reading and by engaging with industry executives at every available opportunity. I work closely with our development officers to engage with our donors, alumni, and friends of the school. I also make a conscious effort to carve out time to engage in strategic thinking so that the “urgent” does not overwhelm the “important.”
What do you like best about your current job?
Every day, I get to work with an amazing team. LSBE is very fortunate to have an exceptional group of faculty and staff, and I get to work with them, as we serve our students and other stakeholders. I admire my colleagues’ deep commitment and dedication to our school.
What about your current job do you find most challenging?
Finding time to do all the amazing things that we are capable of doing is always a challenge. I routinely come across ideas and suggestions that would make our school and our community even better, but our bandwidth limitations constrain us from doing more. It is tough to say no to great ideas, but I also don’t want my colleagues to burn out trying to do too many things.
If you could snap your fingers and solve any problem facing our community, what would it be?
I find it appalling that in a developed society like ours, millions still face food insecurity. Assuring everyone, regardless of their circumstance, access to nutritious meals would make our community richer and fairer. And at least in the U.S., it’s not that we don’t have enough food to feed everyone. We just need to figure out a way to make it more accessible while minimizing waste.
What is the most recent thing you’ve read (besides email)?
I am currently reading The Meritocracy Trap by Daniel Markovits. The basic thesis of this provocative book revolves around socioeconomic mobility and inequality. I am enjoying this book tremendously because the author is presenting some very interesting arguments that question some of my long-held beliefs! I love it when someone presents rational arguments that bring into sharper focus my own biases and prejudices.
What is something (knowledge or a skill) you would like to learn?
I would love to learn to play a musical instrument. I started learning flute, but finding time on a consistent basis to practice has been a big challenge. Plus, I am so bad at it, that whenever I practice, it’s torture for others in the house who have to listen to it.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received that has helped you in your career?
I am not a “one piece of advice,” “one quote,” or “one hero” kind of a person. I am constantly listening, observing, and learning from anyone and everyone I can. I see my career as a journey, instead of a particular destination that I need to get to. As long as I find meaning in my work, I am enjoying the journey!