Saurabh Mishra

Ivey Business School at Western University

“A data scientist with a penchant for uncovering insights that are hidden in plain sight; an optimist who always looks at the glass half full regardless of the volume of water in it and an altruist who loves to help unconditionally.”

Hometown: Prayagraj, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love geopolitics. Coming to Ivey, I learnt the importance of the external environment in shaping the strategy of any firm

Undergraduate School and Major: Civil Engineering from National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Manager, Standard Chartered

How has the case method enriched your learning?  The case method accelerated my learning process. The individual preparation followed by small group discussion provides us with a lot of insight that is difficult to achieve individually. Finally, classroom discussion elevates the total quality and quantity beyond the level that could be achieved in an individual or group setting. I think it is a good simulation of the boardroom setting and helps us develop our interpersonal skills. The case method helps us break our preconceived notions, and makes us more collaborative and more receptive to new ideas, which are important traits for future leaders.

Aside from classmates and cases, what part of the school’s MBA programming led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you?  Ivey’s strong and huge alumni network was one of the reasons for choosing Ivey over other major schools. I can personally vouch for the responsiveness and supportiveness of the network. Ivey Career Management, which has been ranked among the best in Canada and all over the world, makes sure that current students utilize this gift from Ivey to the fullest. Through Get Connected events, we get the chance to network with such high-achieving individuals and learn from their experiences.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Leveraging my analytical skills and navigating through ambiguity, I helped Standard Charted to establish a long-term business engagement with the largest asset management firms in the work. I further helped expand the analytics practice at other levels of the organization

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: I could name a few, such as passing core1 with flying colours and helping my colleagues in analytics. However, one experience that was very new to me was running an election. I contested the election for the VP position of the Tech Club. It was new to me and the thought of contesting an election was alien to me. The whole process of contesting was different yet entertaining. In the end, through the help and support from my colleagues, I won it. So, at a personal level running for an election, campaigning, and giving speeches were one of my biggest accomplishments for me.

Where is your favorite hang-out in London (Ontario)? Why do you (or your classmates) gravitate there? I love to go for a walk in London. Being called a forest city, London has some great walking trails. Sometimes, my friends also join me. I think walking is one of the most relaxing exercises, it refreshes me after a long hectic day and helps me to get my focus back.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you enjoyed and would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? The last novel that I read and is very close to my heart is Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I highly recommend everyone to read it. The whole story revolves around the Nigerian civil war and a professor and his wife. The novel presents a historical event of which I was unaware. It makes me empathetic and pushes me to give back to society.

What did you do during the application process that enabled you to get accepted into Ivey? First, a candidate needs to be certain why they want to do an MBA. The whole application process is grilling; therefore, self-reflection helps in creating goals and maintaining the focus. Second, In the application process, never self-select yourself out. Ivey has a very engaging admission team; they will also evaluate the profile and help the candidate put their best foot forward. Lastly, try to join the network of people who are also trying to get into an MBA program such as GmatClub. It helps in preparing for interviews.

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