Divya Gambhir

University of Washington, Foster School of Business

“Determined, humble, and authentic leader, driven by growth and collaboration, shaped by great family and workplace experiences.”

Hometown: Panchkula, Haryana, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I sometimes express myself through poems.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology from UIET, Panjab University.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Research Analyst at McKinsey & Company

What makes Seattle such a great place to earn an MBA? Seattle offers a thriving business environment with top tech companies, diverse industries, and a highly educated workforce. It also has a strong entrepreneurial community and a rich cultural scene, making it an ideal location for MBA students to gain practical experience and personal growth.

Aside from your location and classmates, what was the key part of Washington Foster’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?

Foster has a small class size that plays a pivotal role in better learning, greater accessibility to career management and faculty, and building meaningful relationships with your cohort. The Foster MBA community is close-knit, and truly collaborative and supportive in a way that allows every person in the cohort to contribute and achieve.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Washington Foster? I was drawn to the Marketing & Strategy courses in my first quarter, particularly due to the engaging case study teaching method. The concepts learned have proven to be valuable in a variety of roles, from consulting to product management.

Washington Foster operates off a philosophy of We>Me. Give us an example of how you’ve seen that among your classmates so far. At Washington Foster, the “We>Me” philosophy is evident in the actions of my classmates. I’ve experienced this firsthand through our group projects, where despite many of us having competing priorities such as internship recruiting and personal commitments, my classmates prioritize teamwork and collective success. Transparency and a supportive culture help in sharing the workload, leading to successful projects. This is a testament to the inclusive and cooperative environment fostered by the school, where individual success takes a backseat to the success of the group.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I have avidly been following Shark Tank India Season 2, keeping myself in the loop of up-and-coming startups in India. This has allowed me to understand the decision-making process of investing, identify areas for improvement in startups’ business models, and consider both the investor and entrepreneur perspectives. This enriches my business knowledge and expands my understanding of new business terms.

The Playlist on Netflix also offers an insightful look at the rise of Spotify, showcasing its journey from inception to worldwide recognition. Aspiring entrepreneurs among prospective students can gain invaluable insights from the show, learning about the key elements of innovation, perseverance, and business strategy.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Washington Foster’s MBA program? I highly suggest conducting thorough research on the school and connecting with current students to accurately articulate why Foster is the ideal fit. I personally invested significant time in this process and found it to be a valuable way to gain insight into the MBA program and culture at the school. Key considerations such as a collaborative and inclusive community, post-MBA job prospects, and hands-on learning experiences were crucial for me in making my B-School decision. My efforts in researching helped me determine that Foster was the perfect fit for me.

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