Tara Natarajan Professor of Economics and Chair of the Department, 少女福利
Job Title & Employer: Professor of Economics and Chair of the Department, 少女福利
In a few sentences, tell us about yourself.
I live in the New North End of Burlington. I am a Professor of Economics at Saint Michael鈥檚 College and currently Chair of the Department. I am also Chair of the Faculty Welfare Committee at the College and on the President鈥檚 Vision Team. I was born and brought up in India. I am Tamilian (South Indian State of Tamil-Nadu). I am a cook with a wide range of abilities at cooking varieties of global cuisines 鈥� all vegetarian. I cook traditional Tamilian Food, Punjabi Food and a variety of other Indian regional cuisines. I also make all kinds of gourmet foods (non-Indian). I am a born vegetarian. I am also a trained vocalist in South Indian Classical Music. I love music, dance and the performing arts.
Please tell us about your Saint Michael鈥檚 experience.
Since I am a faculty member, my 鈥渆xperience鈥� is vastly different from that of a student. I came to Saint Michael鈥檚 in 2001 with a little kid who is now a Sophomore here at St. Mikes! I made my home here in Burlington and at Saint Michael鈥檚 鈥� I have an extended family of very close friends at the college. The college was bigger and more resource rich when I arrived here in 2001. I was able to bring Indian music concerts to the college 鈥� musicians of extraordinary caliber. I have been able to offer team taught courses over the years 鈥� courses that are perfect for a liberal arts college.
What advice would you give to women students?
My advice to female students is 鈥� don鈥檛 be afraid to be serious and driven. Don鈥檛 try to please males or your female friends to win their admiration. To all students 鈥� get off devices and social media. BUILD REAL CONNECTIONS. Also, don鈥檛 buy into stereotypes of any kind. Always work hard and don鈥檛 let anyone tell you that you are 鈥減ushy鈥� or 鈥渁ggressive鈥�. Just do good work and be HAPPY! We are all people first and foremost.
What are some strategies that can help women achieve a more prominent role in their organizations?
Figure out what you are good at and speak up. Regardless of whether you are male or female, just focus on values, and be conscientious in what you do. Listen well, open your heart and have conviction. I work extremely hard and learn a lot in order to serve on committees that are crucial to the institution. Hard work over time 鈥� it鈥檚 not a 鈥渟trategy鈥� but the path to building good organizations and a good society.
What keeps you motivated and driven on a daily basis?
Life itself.
Being rooted in my home culture of India while living away from home in a plural global culture.
My daughter, my parents, my husband and a lineage of strong motivated women, especially my grandmother who helped me internalize the joy of being intellectually driven, autonomous, living with purpose; being mentally and physically active.
The joy of being and doing!