Former globetrotting graduate assistant now leads global trade initiatives

As a graduate assistant for the International Trade Center at the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr., College of Business in 2017-2018, Pinki Thakker supported undergraduate project teams in completing their research projects. Thakker completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Mizzou, most recently graduating with her master of business administration in May 2018. With her undergraduate degree focus in international studies, Thakker took the opportunity to expand her global mindset early by studying abroad in France and Ghana, and by engaging in student organizations with an international focus. Initially struggling to find a job when she completed her bachelor’s degree, Thakker purchased a one-way ticket to India — a decision that felt risky and uncertain at the time, but one that ultimately ended up shaping the rest of her career path. Post-MBA, Thakker was hired by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration to serve as a trade specialist based in the Kansas City, Missouri field office. Since taking that position, Thakker has had ample opportunity to learn, grow and travel internationally.

Hometown: Blue Springs, MO

MU Background:  
Graduate – Thakker graduated from Mizzou’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business in May 2018 with an MBA. During her graduate studies, she participated in Study Abroad Nicaragua (winter 2017); interned with the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. (summer 2017), and interned for the U.S. Commercial Service, St. Louis field office (spring/fall 2017). 

Undergraduate – Thakker graduated in May 2013 with bachelor degrees in international studies, anthropology and French. She was also part of the Mortar Board NHS Tap Class 2012. With a passion for all things international, she took the opportunity to Study Abroad in France in 2011 and in Ghana in 2012. Thakker was also actively engaged in college activities, serving as a diversity peer educator, president of the South Asian Student Association (SASA) and a ResLife resident assistant.

Current Status: Thakker currently serves as the Global Asia Team Leader and Senior International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. As the Global Asia Team Leader, she helps domestic companies navigate and seize business opportunities across 21 dynamic Indo-Pacific markets. In this dual role, she has had the opportunity to design and lead a wide range of programs — from trade missions and virtual matchmaking to staffing U.S. Pavilions at major trade shows  — thereby connecting American exporters to the right partners and insights abroad. Thakker collaborates with a global network of over 250 trade professionals across the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide to deliver high-impact commercial diplomacy. Based in the U.S. Commercial Service office in Kansas City, she also supports local businesses in eastern Kansas and western Missouri, offering export counseling and strategic guidance to help them compete and grow sales globally.

Most exciting international opportunity of her career to date: “One of the most exciting international opportunities in my career has been leading two back-to-back Education Trade Missions to India. Across both missions, I worked with nearly 40 American universities, helping them understand the local education landscape and building connections with state and central government leaders, top institutions, and business executives on the ground. The goal? To promote the U.S. as a premier study destination — and to help international students find their dream schools in America.”

Favorite feature about working internationally: “There’s so much to love about working internationally. Besides the obvious travel element, I enjoy constantly learning — no two markets are alike and no two situations are the same, which means I’m constantly learning about trade policy, local business culture, political shifts, and consumer trends. Also, I value the relationships that I’ve built with colleagues and partners around the world. There’s something exciting about collaborating across borders towards a shared goal, and it’s meaningful to know that the work we do has real economic impact.”

Words of advice for students who are interested in global trade: “There are a lot more career opportunities in international trade than most people realize. I definitely didn’t know this existed as a career path when I was at MU. Whether you’re interested in federal or state government, nonprofits, or the private sector, global trade touches every part of our economy — and it’s only growing. There are countless ways to pursue a career in international business. My biggest advice? Don’t hesitate to raise your hand for high-impact projects, even if you don’t have all the experience yet. You’ll learn on the job as you go. Know, however, that it is always important to follow through and deliver. This is how I became a Global Team Leader at Commerce just three years into the job. 

I would also add, don’t be afraid of setbacks — they often lead you somewhere better. After undergrad, I applied to hundreds of jobs and didn’t land one for nearly a year. It was discouraging watching my classmates move forward while I felt stuck. But that experience pushed me to take a leap — eight months after graduating I bought a one-way ticket and moved to India without a plan, just a willingness to figure it out when I got there. That decision, which felt risky and uncertain at the time, ended up shaping the rest of my career. Everyone’s path is different, and it’s okay if yours doesn’t look like the traditional route. Sometimes the best outcomes come out of the unexpected.”

Favorite Quote:  My favorite quote is from a 2007 Bollywood film, “Om Shanti Om.” Shah Rukh Khan says in his famous dialogue, “Kehte hain, agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaho, to puri kaynath use tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai.” In English, “It’s said, if you really want something with all your heart, the entire universe conspires to help you get it.”