Summary
This story profiles Rediet Adugna Lemma, a CMU-Q graduate with a degree in Business Administration. It details her journey from discovering CMU-Q through cross-registration to her academic achievements on the Dean’s List. The narrative highlights her internships with Deloitte, her semester abroad in Pittsburgh, and her leadership roles in campus clubs, concluding with her post-graduation career move to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Kenya.
As she prepares to graduate from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), Rediet Adugna Lemma can trace a clear line from her first days in Education City to the career that awaits her. Originally from Ethiopia, she began her university studies in a different partner university before discovering CMU-Q through cross-registration. Two courses later, she knew she had found the right fit.
“I wanted to be in an environment where I could build quantitative skills and challenge myself,” she said. “At CMU-Q, I found that balance.”
Challenging Norms and Honing Expertise
Rediet pursued a degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Economics. What began as curiosity deepened into a genuine passion, shaped by coursework in capital markets, accounting, and quantitative analysis. Her performance throughout a demanding course load earned her a place on the Dean’s List and University Honors.
But her motivation went beyond grades. Finance remains a field where women are underrepresented, and that reality sharpened her sense of purpose. “I was drawn to how structured and analytical finance is,” she said. “It pushes you to think critically and approach problems in a very practical way.”
Learning by Doing
Rediet was deliberate about gaining real-world experience throughout her studies. She completed multiple internships spanning finance, strategy, operations, and marketing, including work with Deloitte on capital markets projects, and served as a course assistant across several subjects. Each role reinforced what she was learning in class and sharpened her understanding of what she sought to achieve.
Pittsburgh became a recurring destination. She visited three times, for a semester abroad, an international consulting course, and short-term academic programs, accessing advanced finance courses and working on real consulting projects with actual clients. “Each internship helped me build a different skill set,” she said. “It gave me a clearer picture of how businesses operate and where I fit within that.”
Leadership with a Purpose
On campus, Rediet channelled the same intentionality into student life. As Director of Finance for a student organization, she managed budgets, planned events, and developed hands-on leadership skills. She was also active in the Marketing Club, a space where her earlier background in media and communication met her business studies, and the Consulting Club, which helped her prepare for a career in consulting through networking and interview readiness.
“Take advantage of every opportunity available to you,” she said. “Start early, stay proactive, and don’t be afraid to ask for support. It’s there.”
Looking Ahead
After graduation, Rediet will join Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Kenya, a destination that reflects both her ambition and her international outlook.
“CMU-Q gave me the tools, but more than that, it gave me the confidence to use them,” she said. “I’m ready for whatever comes next.”
