Kishan Kalaria is a different kind of McIntire student. What he brings to his Commerce coursework is another level of thought, one steeped in philosophy. That distinctive view also informs his way of discussing business. And for his excellent oral and written skills, Kalaria was recognized by his McIntire professors and honored as a Joseph Miniotas Communication Scholar.
Kalaria’s path to UVA was driven by a blend of curiosity and ambition. Reflecting on his decision to attend UVA, the Fort Worth, TX, native says, “Strong business program; thought it’d be nice to get out of state and meet people from around the country, which has definitely held true.” The beauty of Grounds, the allure of a robust academic culture, and proximity to New York cemented his choice. He found UVA’s balance between academics and social life particularly appealing: “There are plenty of driven people who are also really fun,” he says.
Philosophical and Traditional Business Approaches
Kalaria’s dual interest in business and philosophy, the degrees he’s pursuing, began to take shape in high school, spurred by his participation in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, a competitive speaking activity. Because of the extracurricular’s focus on moral, social, and justice issues, his engagement fostered a deep appreciation for philosophical discourse. “My favorite part about this activity was the philosophy and the critical theory that I was reading,” he recalls, noting how it exposed him to different worldviews and sharpened his critical thinking skills.
His philosophical interests were piqued by existentialists like Jean-Paul Sartre and post-structuralist thinkers such as Michel Foucault and Gilles Deleuze, whose narrative styles and radical interpretations kept the subject engaging for him. “I thought it was really interesting, and definitely opened my eyes to so many different ways of thinking about the world,” he says, noting that the value in learning about diverse perspectives influenced him to study the subject in college.
At UVA, however, he embraced a more traditional approach, appreciating the rigorous analytical training it provided. “Philosophy’s a daunting subject in that all the authors build off of one another. So you really have to have a good fundamental grasp of the basics and logic before you can progress,” he explains.
This intellectual versatility has proven invaluable in his business studies, particularly when it comes to getting ideas across to various audiences. “Philosophy, especially as it’s taught at colleges like UVA, really emphasizes concise, clear, and precise communication,” the Miniotas Scholar notes. These skills seamlessly translate to the business environment, where clarity and exactness are paramount in management communication and business proposals.
Of Two Minds
Kalaria’s extracurricular engagements reflect his dual passions. As a member of the McIntire Investment Institute (MII), he has delved deeply into fundamental long/short equity investing, honing his business acumen and finance knowledge.
“When you’re pitching stocks or when you’re evaluating stock pitches, you have to develop a differentiated, nuanced view from what the rest of the market is thinking in order to generate outsized returns,” he says. “Philosophy does help do that by getting those critical thinking skills honed and keeping you sharp.”
With MII, he rose through the ranks, from a Provisional Analyst to an Analyst and an Associate, and last year, he became an Executive Head of Professional Development. Now he’s President, underscoring his dedication and leadership to MII.
“The process has been really rewarding, in that I’ve gotten so close with the people that are in my class, as well as a lot of younger students, and older mentors, and alumni,” he says, explaining that it’s been a rewarding experience to help improve the club and support its future success.
In addition to MII, Kalaria is actively involved with the University Judiciary Committee (UJC); he serves as a counselor, defending students accused of violating University standards. This role, while not directly philosophical, aligns with his debate background and provides a platform to apply his critical thinking and advocacy skills in a practical setting.
“It’s been a great way to do something that’s related to debate, but not in the same way,” Kalaria shares. “I really enjoy defending students who are accused of violating the standards, because it’s oftentimes very stressful. It’s intense. And it’s important to be able to make sure both sides are heard and represented equally well at trial, so serving as a counselor has helped out with that.”
From Comm to Career
Kalaria’s academic journey has been significantly shaped by his experiences in McIntire’s Integrated Core Experience, where he has developed strong practical skills in communication and business fundamentals. Working on a project with EverGrain, an AB InBev subsidiary, provided him with unique insights into the niche industry of plant-based meats and the emerging trend of flexitarian diets. Despite the challenges of working with a smaller, non-public company, Kalaria appreciated the depth of understanding this experience afforded.
He also credits his Integrated Core courses for their practicality in management communication, and specifically, Communication Professor Kiera Allison, with balancing and strengthening his written and spoken presentations. “I never would have known how to write a memo to an acceptable standard if it weren’t for ICE,” Kalaria says, explaining that it’s one of many skills he believes are going to valuable throughout his career.
It’s a future professional life that looks to reflect an approach as multifaceted as his UVA academics, with Kalaria likely pursuing investment banking in the short-term: “It would be cool to work in business from more of an operator role, whether at a startup or at a more established company. My goal is to get a breadth of different experiences throughout my career.”
