MBA Program Insights

I graduated from the Wharton MBA a year ago, and here’s what I wish someone had told me before I started about recruiting, mindset, and social life. If you're starting this fall, this is for you! 1️⃣ Business school is a buffet (and you'll get indigestion if you try everything) First few weeks - take stock of everything it has to offer. Internships, fellowships, clubs, accelerators, etc. Then ruthlessly prioritize. Take what serves you and leave the buffet. (You’ll still feel FOMO and take on more than you should because you “paid for it” - that’s all part of the process!) 2️⃣ Pivoting is harder than you think Most people don’t get this until it’s too late - employers don’t recruit from MBA programs because they care that you have an MBA. They do it because MBAs filter for experiences/skillsets they want. You need to show them why you can do the job. The degree just gets you in the door - use the network to get the experience and build the skills. More people than you'd think go back to their old industries. 3️⃣ You'll have your "maybe I should recruit for consulting" moment Or banking. Even if you swore you'd never. We all do. When everyone's doing it, you'll second-guess yourself. That's normal! Just remember why YOU came to school. Stick to your plan, not theirs. (Unless your plan was to recruit for consulting/banking) 4️⃣ The social scene is middle school, except people have money (but it’s not all bleak) Hundreds of type-A personalities in one place and a lot of bankers/consultants who didn’t have enough fun in their 20s = drama, hyper-socialization. Who's dating who, who got the Goldman interview, who wasn't invited to that trip…People will talk about you if you stand out (for good or bad reasons). First semester feels intense, especially if you’re an introvert. By second year, everyone chills out and you find your people. 5️⃣ You'll need to touch grass B-school is a bubble. If you're not careful, you'll think comparing signing bonuses and taking out loans to go on another trip with 20 people you just met are real life. See non-MBA friends. Call your family. There’s a hive-mindedness in business school. Don’t lose yourself in it. 6️⃣ The classes are hit or miss (so be strategic) You’ll keep some class notes for decades to come (If you’re going to Wharton - Negotiations, Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship, Scaling Operations to name a few). You’ll throw away others before the semester is over. Talk to second-years about which classes are actually worth optimizing to get into. Bonus: Do something unexpected. Join the club you think you'd hate. Take the class outside your comfort zone. I signed up for a week-long backpacking trip in the Andes despite every instinct not to and ended up leading a trip to Antarctica my 2nd year (best MBA memory!). People getting an MBA: What's the one thing you're nervous about as you start your MBA? People who have an MBA: What’s the piece of advice you wish you got before you started?

Two MBA graduates, same college, same CGPA. One went straight from undergrad and got 8 LPA. Other had 2 years of work-ex, got 15 LPA. This isn't luck. This is a strategy. So many students ask me if they should go for an MBA right after undergraduation or should gain experience first. This is what I recommend to them always: Do not go for an MBA right after undergrad. An MBA isn't a regular college degree; it can significantly boost your career if done right. Here's why: 💡 You'll know what you actually want to study. Working for 2 years shows you what skills you're missing, what interests you, and what doesn't. You'll pick the right specialisation instead of guessing. 💡 Your applications will be stronger. B-schools love candidates with real work experience. Your essays will have actual examples, not theoretical answers. You'll stand out from the crowd of fresh graduates and get into better colleges. 💡 You'll get better placements. Recruiters prefer MBA graduates with work experience because they understand business operations, can handle real challenges, and don't need hand-holding. They're willing to pay more for this maturity. 💡 You'll have clarity on your career path. Two years of work help you understand different industries, roles, and what you're good at. Your master's becomes a strategic move, not just the next step. 💡 You'll build a professional network. The connections you make while working will help you throughout your career. Plus, you can get good LORs and references from established companies for your MBA applications. 💡 No burden on parents. Instead of taking loans immediately, you'll have some savings and reduce financial pressure on your family. Better decision-making comes with less financial stress. 💡 You'll maximise your ROI. Master's degrees are expensive. When you know exactly what you want from it, you extract more value from every lecture, project, and opportunity. Trust me, the market will teach you things no classroom can. It'll show you real problems, real solutions, and real consequences. So, don't rush into a master's just because it feels like the next logical step. Make it a strategic career move. Work first. Learn what you don't know. Then go back to school with a purpose.

MBA should be your Plan B. Not Plan A. If you’re 22 and confused, don’t fill that confusion with an entrance form. Fill it with chaos. With attempts. With experience. Because here’s the truth: An MBA doesn’t teach you how the world works. It teaches you how the corporate world works. But before you enter that world, you owe it to yourself to see everything else. Try selling something. Try failing at it. Try managing cash when your salary is zero. Try building trust with a stranger online who could be your first customer or your last scam. Try working in a small team where the HR, CMO, and janitor are all the same person: you. That’s your real MBA. The one no B-school can teach. Because once you’ve seen the market — really seen it — Porter’s 5 Forces will finally make sense. You won’t ask “What’s a TAM?” You’ll feel what a market that doesn’t want you looks like. You won’t chase a job in strategy — you’ll know if strategy is your thing because you’ve lived the grind. Then, if you still want to do an MBA — do it. You’ll walk in with better questions than most profs have answers for. Because you’ve already lived the case study. Now you just want the vocabulary. You’re gonna learn even if it fails. Especially if it fails.

I recently go asked "what is one thing that no one tells you about networking when you're an international student?" When I came to the U.S. 6 years ago to study Data Science, I had no idea how important networking would be for my career. Coming from Spain, I thought hard work and a good resume would be enough. Spoiler: it wasn’t. As an international student, job hunting comes with extra challenges: visas, sponsorships, and navigating a system that sometimes feels overwhelming. But here’s the truth: networking changed everything for me. Here’s what worked: 1️⃣ Reaching out to alumni: - I was at Suffolk University in Boston, and I used LinkedIn to connect with alumni in Data Science. At first, it felt awkward—what could I possibly say? But I learned this: people love sharing advice when you ask the right questions. Instead of asking for jobs, I asked about their journeys, challenges, and advice. Those conversations didn’t just lead to referrals; they gave me confidence and clarity. 2️⃣ Leveraging LinkedIn: - LinkedIn became more than just a job board. I posted about projects I was working on, shared my thoughts on the industry, and commented on others’ posts. Over time, recruiters and professionals in my field started noticing me. 3️⃣ Attending industry events: - From local meetups to webinars, I treated every event as a learning opportunity. The key wasn’t handing out resumes—it was making meaningful connections. One conversation at a career fair even led to an internship that shaped my path. Looking back, I realized networking isn’t just about getting a job—it’s about building relationships. As an international student, those connections helped me navigate a career system I didn’t grow up in, and they became my biggest advantage. What’s your go-to strategy for networking? Let’s share tips below—I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!

Everyone says MBA is for networking, but no one said HOW Here is how I networked during my MBA and who you can connect with! 𝟏. 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: Via college clubs and committees, induction week, Junior senior groups made by the division 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: For feedback on faculties and company processes, learning from their exposure, advice on case competition or to get advice on accommodation! 𝟐. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: Induction week, college committees, division, lunch breaks 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: To create memories!, Finding like minded teammates for case competitions, academic prep, placement prep, research projects etc. 𝟑. 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: Reach early to class or stay back to get your doubts cleared, have one on one guidance sessions with them, for visiting faculties, ask them about their industry, become the CR 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: Technical knowledge, guidance on deciding your specialisation, assistance for case competitions, to undertake authorised research initiatives. 𝟒. 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: Junior senior groups, college committees, respond proactively when they reach out for doubts. 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: Exposure to fresh ideas, to know what’s the latest trend, to find accommodation! 𝟓. 𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 & 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: Junior senior groups, outreach via linkedin 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: To stay updated with the latest happening in the industry, to understand the growth prospects of your dream company, guidance during placements 𝟔. 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: Citywise alumni meets, grand alumni meets, reunions, they might be working in your organisation 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: Alumni networks span across various leadership roles, so it is beneficial to stay in touch with the alumni. An amazing way to seek new opportunities. 𝟕. 𝐌𝐁𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: During Summer internship, or after getting placed. Going to other colleges for case competitions 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩: To be in touch with the current MBA environment, Having a bond also helps if you get the PPO. #MBA #networking

Networking During MBA: Building Relationships That Last Beyond the Classroom 🌐 One of the most valuable lessons I learned during my MBA wasn’t from the textbooks—it was from the people I met along the way. Networking is a HUGE part of the MBA experience, and it’s not just about landing your next job (although that’s important too). It’s about building lasting, meaningful relationships that will support your growth for years to come. Here’s what I learned about networking during my MBA journey - It’s Not Just About 'Working the Room' 🤝 Networking isn't about talking to everyone you meet at every event. Instead, it’s about creating genuine connections. Focus on quality, not quantity. Find people who share your values, career goals, or interests and build relationships over time. Think long-term, not transactional. Your Classmates are Your Future Network 📚 Don’t just focus on the alumni or professors. Your classmates will be your future colleagues, partners, and even co-founders. Take time to truly get to know them, share experiences, and collaborate in and out of the classroom. These relationships will help you both during your MBA and in the years after you graduate. Go Beyond the ‘MBA Circle’ 🌍 Networking opportunities are everywhere. Don’t limit yourself to just your cohort or school events. Attend industry meetups, conferences, and even virtual events. I’ve had some of my best professional opportunities from connections made outside the classroom. Keep an open mind, and always be ready to learn from others. Keep Building Relationships Post-MBA 🔄 The MBA network doesn’t stop after graduation. Stay connected, whether through LinkedIn, alumni events, or personal outreach. I’ve learned that some of the best opportunities come from staying in touch with your peers long after you leave the classroom. Your network is your future asset. If I could do it all again, I’d make even more time for networking and building deeper relationships. Remember—your network isn’t just about collecting business cards; it’s about cultivating meaningful connections that can help you grow personally and professionally. Pro Tip: Reach out to someone in your class you haven’t spoken to yet, and start building that connection today. You never know where it might lead! #Networking #MBANetwork #CareerGrowth #Leadership #BusinessSchool #FutureLeaders #ProfessionalConnections #RelationshipBuilding #MBA #Innovation #India #Management

For MBA students, networking is no longer a “good-to-have” — it’s a must-have skill that can shape careers far beyond placements Many leadership roles and niche projects are never advertised. They come through networks. Conversations with alumni, industry leaders, and peers often teach more about the business world than case studies. A strong network helps you move faster in your career by opening doors, providing referrals, and offering mentorship. Building connections with professionals across geographies prepares you for international roles and cross-cultural leadership. Placements are just the beginning; your network supports you through career transitions, entrepreneurship, and even personal growth. How students can strengthen their corporate networking? > Attend industry conferences, conclaves, and recruiter meets. > Reach out to alumni proactively, not just during placement season. > Leverage LinkedIn to engage with thought leaders — comment, share, and add value. > Volunteer for institute-level events to get exposure to CXOs and HR leaders. We’re entering a hyper-connected, competitive world. The earlier we invest in networking, the more compound interest it pays in our careers. #MBA #Networking #IndianMBA #CareerGrowth #CorporateRelations

🎓 What I wish I knew going into my MBA as I head towards graduation next month at Columbia Business School: 1️⃣ Career pivoting is absolutely possible, but the MBA is not the magic wand many think it is. If you want to break into VC (or anything else), you should have a plan and go all in from the start. You can definitely explore, and attend all the events that you find interesting, but the earlier you decide which events, clubs, and employers are relevant to you - the better. Recruiting / prep for recruiting often happens the first few weeks of first year. Show up to every relevant event. Join the clubs you need to. Cold email with your .edu email. Do everything you can to get an in-semester internship to gain experience if you plan to pivot. Which brings me to… 2️⃣ In-semester internships are the ultimate #MBA cheat code. It’s the only time in your adult life when people will give you a shot without a perfect resume and train you like an intern in a new industry even if you’ve been a full-time operator before. While in school, I was able to break into VC, continue advising startups, and build a new venture. We're building BlueBox to make it easier than ever for aspiring VCs and operators to break in—and building a powerful alumni-driven network along the way. 3️⃣ There will always be 3 priorities that pull you in different directions: social, academic, career. Choose two top priorities if possible. Trying to max out on all three can lead to burnout. Most schools have grade non-disclosure, so you can take the classes you want to learn from without worrying about rankings. It makes for an incredibly collaborative environment with your classmates. This also allows you to really focus on your career and networking (social). 4️⃣ Say yes to (almost) everything in year one. Go to the random happy hour. Join the club. Crash the info session. You’re paying for access, so maximize it. The most unexpected events and happenstance meetings in the hallways will become the most meaningful. 5️⃣ Seriously, have fun. Yes, b-school is a meme sometimes. “A two-year vacation”. But it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime reset. Some of your closest friendships, wildest adventures, and best memories will come from just letting yourself live. 6️⃣ Spend more time with people, not Excel sheets. You’ll forget the deck/Excel. You’ll remember the karaoke nights, dinners out, founder brainstorms, and 2am “what are we doing with our lives” convos. 7️⃣ Ask for help early and often. Coffee chats change careers. Don’t wait to start building relationships that matter. Your fellow students who have had years of work experience prior to school are your greatest resource. Give and you shall receive. Good luck to all going to b-school this upcoming year / thinking of it soon! Truly the best 2 years of my life. So incredibly grateful to have met hundreds of new lifelong friends and colleagues along the way 😄 #linkedin #businessschool

𝟏𝟎 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐌𝐲 𝐌𝐁𝐀 𝐓𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐌𝐞 (𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦) It’s been a week since I completed my MBA. When I started this journey, I thought I was signing up for lectures, case studies, and maybe a few sleepless nights. What I got instead was a crash course in how the real world works. Here are 10 lessons that shaped me personally and professionally and might help you too if you're considering a similar path: 1. Ask for what you want. Silence doesn't get you a seat at the table. Whether it’s a project, a refund, an opportunity, or mentorship ask. The worst outcome you can get is “no.” but staying quiet already disqualifies you. 2. Time is your most valuable asset. Between classes, jobs, and networking, I learned to say no without guilt. Protect your time. That’s the currency you trade for success. 3. Confidence comes from clarity. If you can’t explain it simply, you haven’t thought it through. Do the work. Simplify your ideas. 4. People > GPAs. Your network can open more doors and opportunities more than your grades ever will. Build real relationships. Go beyond LinkedIn. 5. Leadership isn’t about volume. It’s about listening, showing up, and taking responsibility, especially when things go wrong. 6. Imposter syndrome is normal. Almost everyone feel it including me. Don’t let it stop you. Don’t shrink your efforts when you know you can give more. 7. Done is better than perfect. The best ideas don’t matter if you never finish them. Just ship it and refine as you go along. 8. You can’t win alone. Collaboration beats competition every time. 9. Feedback is fuel. Growth comes when someone challenges your thinking, not when they nod along. Ask for feedback. Take it seriously. 10. Stay curious. The learning doesn’t stop with a degree. Keep asking. Keep building. Keep moving. — This degree gave me more than knowledge. It gave me clarity, confidence, and a community I’ll carry for life. Thinking or currently doing an MBA? These lessons won’t be on the syllabus but they’re just as valuable. Which one hits home for you?

Some start-of-the-school-year advice for veterans starting their MBA this fall: 1. Don’t get distracted by the lights You are coming from the military where no one came to recruit you like they will during MBA recruiting season. The recruiting process will be new and it can feel wild having these amazing companies all over campus. But after the gloss fades and the happy hour is over, make sure you actually want that job. Ask tough questions, both of them and yourself. If you find yourself at a recruiting event, ask yourself if you are legitimately excited about working for that company, just curious, or there because everyone else is and you didn't know what else to do. 2. Take a risk I talk to a lot of veterans thinking about entrepreneurship (especially ETA) after graduation. Many want to get started on Day 1. I think they shouldn't. First year is a great time to get an internship and get a job offer. Second year is a great time to try something entrepreneurial. 3. Reach back You got in. Great. Now help someone coming behind you. 4. Iron out your goals The most high-paying job after graduation may not actually put you onto the path of where you want to be in 10 years. If you want to run a company, maybe it's better to go to an LDP and be on a path to P+L ownership than it is to be a consultant or a banker. Maybe you get paid less, but the experience could be more valuable. Figure out where you want to be in 10 years, find others who are there, and connect with them to hear their path. Figure out what you want to solve for when it comes to family, career, and the rest of your life. 5. Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks Trust me, I know this is easier said than done. Do you. Pursue the opportunity you want. You aren't here to make the career center happy. There are no evals to worry about or rank progression timelines to keep up with anymore. You only report to you and your family now. Go crush it.