Gracious Nyamupachitu

Pinteresting Career Move

Anyone who thinks econ majors are destined for a life of stock markets and number crunching has never met Class of  2017 alum Gracious Nyamupachitu. Part analytical, part artistic, and all-around trend spotter for one of the world’s biggest creative companies.

NYUAD: Nice to see you again, Gracious!

Gracious Nyamupachitu: Hello!

NYUAD: What’s a typical day like at Pinterest?

The best part about my job is that there’s no typical day! Everyday is different. My role is global so I start out working with people across Europe and end my day working with people just waking up in the US. I own a lot of projects and we’re currently looking at next year’s marketing plans.

NYUAD: What do you love most about your job?

I love working on projects that, in a month or two, I’ll be able to see out in the real world and be there as people experience it. I’m a connector. I can see the impact that my work has on people. It’s really exciting.

NYUAD: You were at Citibank before. What’s different now?

I started working at Citibank right after graduation, so I’d been there for about four years. Both Citibank and Pinterest are solving really important problems for people in the world. I think the main difference is that Pinterest is smaller so the relationships are easier to make. As a banker, I helped large companies achieve their finance goals, but now I’m in the creative space, working with individuals and creators and trying to get ahead of trends. It’s so interesting.

 

Gracious Nyamupachitu, Class of 2017

Major: Economics

Current Role: Marketing Operations Manager, Pinterest

Current Location: Dublin, Ireland

Home Country: Zimbabwe

I graduated with an economics degree but also had creative outlets to explore other interests and talents. NYUAD prepared me for a world where I can switch up my entire routine and still be successful.

Gracious Nyamupachitu, Class of 2017

NYUAD: How do you think NYU Abu Dhabi prepared you for life today?

The culture and the classes.

NYUAD: What do you mean by that exactly?

By culture, I mean openness to trying new things. You’re encouraged to try things you’re not typically good at. That was really important when I was considering my career transition from Citibank to Pinterest. Yes, I graduated with an economics degree but I also had creative outlets to explore other interests and talents. When I got the Pinterest offer, I thought, NYUAD prepared me for a world where I can switch up my entire routine and still be successful.

The classes garnered my interests in doing something differently — deep learning from completely different fields.

NYUAD: What’s something you had to learn the hard way at NYU Abu Dhabi?

For me, it was people’s misconceptions about what it’s like to live and study in the Middle East. I always found myself having to explain myself. I felt misunderstood by people who’ve never been there. But, I have to say, that experience helped me grow. In my first year, it was difficult to relate to my friends studying in other countries but by year four I was solid.

NYUAD: What three words best describe your NYU Abu Dhabi experience?

Holistic. Eye-opening. Unforgettable.