W. P. Carey alum Paridhi Saboo found passion for analytics and real estate during undergraduate journey

Thanks to the many opportunities available to students at W. P. Carey, Paridhi Saboo (BS Business Data Analytics '24) was able to explore different classes and student organizations, which eventually led her to the bachelor's degree in business data analytics and a passion for real estate.

Some people enter college with a clear idea of the path they want to take in their education and career. Others, like Paridhi Saboo (BS Business Data Analytics '24), know where their interests lie, but are still trying to figure out where those interests may take them.

"Before starting at W. P. Carey, I didn’t have a clear sense of what I wanted to do," says Saboo. "I just knew I wanted to build a career that blended business and analytical thinking, even if I wasn’t sure what that would look like yet."

Thanks to the many opportunities available to students at ASU's W. P. Carey School of Business, Saboo was able to explore different classes and student organizations, which eventually led her to the bachelor's degree in business data analytics and a passion for real estate.

W. P. Carey News spoke to Saboo about how her education led her to her current career as a real estate data analyst, and how her undergraduate experience gave her confidence and a sense of community.

Why W. P. Carey?

"I always knew I wanted to study at a university that felt alive, a place where there is always something happening and people to learn from," Saboo says. She found that environment she craved at ASU and specifically at W. P. Carey.

"It seemed like no matter what you were interested in, there was a club, an event, or someone doing something exciting," she says. "I loved the idea of being in a school where you’d never run out of things to explore or people to meet."

That feeling of endless opportunity, combined with W. P. Carey's emphasis on being Where Business is Personal®, helped Saboo find her place within the school's community, where she felt supported by peers and faculty alike.

"It’s not just a business school; it’s a community that pushes you to think bigger about your future and gives you the tools and confidence to get there," she says.

A particular experience that stands out for Saboo was the real estate fundamentals course taught by Professor William Gray. This experience laid the groundwork for her love of the real estate industry and her future career path.

"His way of teaching made me fall in love with real estate and not just as an industry, but as a field that shapes people’s lives," she says. "Professor Gray was also the first person who helped me realize that I could combine my two passions: data analytics and real estate."

Saboo adds, "That single conversation helped me see real estate from a completely new perspective and inspired the path I’m continuing to build today."

Why data analytics?

Saboo knew she wanted to pursue something related to analytics when she came to W. P. Carey, but throughout her journey, she was able to discover how to combine her interests in data analytics and real estate into a niche that suits her strengths.

Coursework and projects during her studies only strengthened her passion for data by showing her the real-world applications and uses. Her capstone project — in which she and a team worked with the Glendale Police Department to analyze 911 calls and responses — was a particularly eye-opening and impactful experience.

"What I really enjoyed was the opportunity to apply everything I had learned in the classroom to a real-world challenge," says Saboo. "It’s not every day that college students get to collaborate with a police department, let alone be invited on a cop car ride-along to see how data connects to field operations."

This and other projects that involved experiential learning and application of concepts gave Saboo a new perspective on the role of data. "They taught me that data isn’t just numbers or charts; it’s a way to tell stories, solve problems, and make informed business decisions that impact communities," she says.

What's next?

Saboo has been working as a real estate data analyst since shortly after graduating, and she sees herself continuing to grow in this area as her career continues to develop.

"The real estate industry can often feel complex and unpredictable, and I hope to be a voice of clarity within it," she says. "My goal is to help transform data into something that not only informs decisions but also builds trust and understanding among professionals, clients, and communities."

She credits her time at W. P. Carey with not only helping her develop the technical skills needed for her career, but also providing her with the opportunity to explore and discover the right path for her.

"When I came to W. P. Carey, I was unsure of myself and my path, and I left with not just a degree but also with a sense of direction, confidence, and community," says Saboo. "The experiences you’ll have here can truly shape your life if you let them."