Anna Drnoian (M PSIA ’14) Uses Her Research Skills in the IT Sphere

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Anna Drnoian earned her graduate degree from the Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA) program of the American University of Armenia (AUA). Although her educational background is predominantly in the social sciences, she has pursued a career in the technical field. She is a Market Research Analyst at Synopsys, Inc. – one of the leading IT companies in the world and provider of the most advanced tools for silicon chip design that is at the heart of world-changing innovations.

“The decision to study in AUA’s PSIA program had the most profound impact on the development of my professional skills and career growth,” Drnoian notes. “On the very first day at AUA, we were told that we will develop critical thinking and research skills. And it did happen to all of us! Having research skills does not simply mean that you can develop a methodology and decide what techniques to use to test your hypothesis. It means you are confident that there is no question that you cannot answer, not any problem that you cannot solve. With the help of Google of course,” she adds smiling.

The analytical mindset and research skills that Drnoian acquired at AUA allowed her to be competitive in the job market and get employed in the IT sphere right after graduation.

“I truly love all the analysis and reporting that our market research team does at Synopsys and the role it plays in shaping the strategy of the company. I work in a great team and enjoy every day at Synopsys, as my work involves problem solving tasks, incessant development of skills, and visible outcomes,” Drnoian says enthusiastically.

In addition to her responsibilities at Synopsys, Inc., Drnoian also took the position of Teaching Assistant at the AUA Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics (CBE) starting in February 2019. “This year had an exceptional start as I was privileged to join the team of best industry professionals and assist in teaching the “Applied Statistics” course to undergraduate students at AUA. This is yet another example of how the great dedication and work of the AUA PSIA faculty has fueled my motivation to pursue a career in research and stick to the values of continuous learning.”

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.