Neerja Bhatnagar

MBA Class of 2024

Hometown: New Delhi, India

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Delhi; Business Commerce

MBA Concentration: Strategy and Finance

Pre-MBA Experience: Vivriti Asset Management; ESG Strategy Lead

Post-MBA Goal: Pivoting into consulting, I will be joining EY Finance as a full-time Consultant after graduation.

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA? The COVID-19 pandemic led to several personal realizations for me. I felt as though I had reached a glass ceiling in my career and needed an additional degree to further scale my career and explore new opportunities. In my previous role, I spearheaded the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy of an asset management company, including research on gender pay disparities in India and globally. This deepened my desire to advance my career further. I was excited to experience a new culture and broaden my horizons and as a result decided to pursue an MBA in the United States.

How has being an international student impacted your recruiting/internship experience? As an international student, adapting to a new culture can be challenging. Even simple things like dressing in business casual attire or engaging in brief ‘coffee chats’ with professionals is quite different and can be intimidating. It’s crucial to understand your own value system, especially during the recruitment process. Staying authentic through the process also helped me.

During my summer internship at EY, I had a memorable experience with my engagement partner. He emphasized that while the company evaluates my performance, it’s equally important for me to assess my fit with the firm. This conversation was empowering and shifted my perspective as an international student. My inclusion in the team and the cultural experience at EY played a major role in my decision to accept the full-time offer.

How has Emory University supported you as an international student? At Emory University, the support I received as an international student was tremendous. I relied heavily on second-year students for casing practice and found the entire community to be very supportive. During my first year as an MBA student, there were many times when I felt lost, but I always managed to find my way. This experience taught me that it’s okay to ask for help and to ask the right questions. At Goizueta, there are genuinely supportive people available at every step, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.

What advice would you give to prospective students applying to U.S. MBA programs as international students? First, everyone advises being authentic and true to oneself, which I strongly support. This especially applies to understanding your value system and life goals, which should be clearly expressed in your personal essays. Second, while keeping your options open during the application process, it’s important to pause and reflect on why you are pursuing an MBA. Consider if you have a specific interest in functions like marketing, consulting, or investment banking, and if the schools you’re applying to are target schools for these areas. Pursuing certain career options, although not impossible, can be challenging, so it’s crucial to choose a school for the right reasons: its culture, future opportunities, and class size.

What advice would you give to an international candidate once they are admitted into an U.S. MBA program? My classmates and I came into the MBA program with specific professional goals in mind, but these changed over time, highlighting the importance of maintaining an open mind. You can derive the most value from your MBA journey by demonstrating perseverance, adapting to changing circumstances, and being agile and open-minded, especially given the current market conditions, which are not entirely positive. I believe there is no one specific formula for success.

Akash Parthasarathy

MBA Class of 2024

Hometown: Mumbai, India

Undergraduate School and Major: University of South California; Economics and Math

MBA Concentration: Technology Management and Marketing

Pre-MBA Experience: Bristlecone; Data Science Consultant

Post-MBA Goal: Product Management (preferably in Tech)

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA? Working in consulting, I gained a lot of technical skills, and I noticed that most of my superiors held MBAs. I also realized that I had reached a limit in terms of being a technical expert and wanted to transition into a management role for greater impact. Additionally, considering the growing importance of data in day-to-day operations, I believe there is a shortage of managers who are truly familiar with data. This is where I see an opportunity to bring a unique advantage and drive change. I think business is increasingly moving towards more data-driven decisions, and I want to be a part of that wave.

How has being an international student impacted your recruiting/internship experience? My experience as an international student in the U.S. is somewhat unique, as I have been here since my undergraduate studies. As an international student from India, I often encounter the stereotype that, while I may possess strong technical skills in data and coding, I lack the necessary soft skills for business. This perception can be a hurdle, especially when job hunting and having only a 30-minute window to convince someone to hire me. Coming from India, where academic performance is heavily focused on test scores, adapting to the U.S. approach of self-promotion has been a challenge. It’s a cultural difference, but one that can be overcome by putting your best foot forward.

How has Emory University supported you as an international student? I greatly appreciate my Career Management Center (CMC) coach, Jenny Willet; she has been immensely helpful. While it’s important to take charge of your own experiences, Goizueta provides all the necessary resources. Jenny is always available and quick to respond. Even a visit to the program office guarantees that someone will be willing to assist. However, it ultimately falls on you to take the initiative.

What advice would you give to prospective students applying to U.S. MBA programs as international students? As someone who doesn’t have much exposure to business, I recommend students speak to alumni and current students to see what their MBA journeys were like and what they are doing post-MBA to understand the range of post-MBA opportunities. Another great source of information is the annual employment report that schools release to understand what people do after they graduate from a particular university.

What advice would you give to an international candidate once they are admitted into an U.S. MBA program? For international students, arriving in the U.S. ahead of time to sort out essentials such as your phone plan, Wi-Fi, identification, and living arrangements is crucial. This is particularly important in your first semester at Emory University, where the core curriculum intensifies rapidly and can quickly become overwhelming. I understand that homesickness can be challenging, but making the effort to adjust and establish your roots is essential for your overall success.

Joláadé Ogunlana

MBA Class of 2024

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Lagos; Zoology

MBA Concentration: Strategy and Consulting

Pre-MBA Experience: Product Manager; Flutterwave

Post-MBA Goal: Pivoting into management consulting, I will be joining PwC in the Customer Transformation practice full-time after graduation.

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA? Having held roles in various industries such as retail and e-commerce, I felt I was missing a foundational business education, particularly in experiential learning and leadership. After returning to Nigeria and assuming senior roles, I realized that an MBA would help me think like a leader across different functional areas of a company.

How has being an international student impacted your recruiting/internship experience? The cultural nuances of recruiting as an international student, which involve extensive networking and interaction, differ significantly from my experiences in Nigeria. I have learned to comfortably engage in conversations about my accomplishments in a natural way. Navigating the fine line between being personal yet professional at company events was a challenge, but I have come to enjoy it

How has Emory University supported you as an international student? Pivoting careers from being a product manager was initially daunting, but the career center at Goizueta reassured me that I had nothing to lose, emphasizing that an MBA is about trying new things. My career coach was very supportive, providing the guidance I needed for the transition. Additionally, the Goizueta Consulting Association was instrumental in preparing me for case interviews and navigating the consulting recruitment process.

What advice would you give to prospective students applying to U.S. MBA programs as international students? Interact with individuals connected schools you are interested in to gain insights that you can incorporate into your personal essay. Applying for programs while working can feel overwhelming but try your best to apply in the first round, or the second round at the latest. Once you feel ready, just go for it. The people writing your recommendation letters don’t have to be the most senior person in a company, but rather someone you have a good relationship with, who knows you well, and who wants the best for you.

What advice would you give to an international candidate once they are admitted into an U.S. MBA program? The MBA is designed to challenge and stretch you, but it’s important to remember to have fun along the way. The trips you take with your cohort and the adventures you experience will be the memories you cherish the most. So, don’t forget to enjoy yourself, especially in the first year. Make every moment count from the start.

Krishna Thakkar is a second-year student at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, majoring in Consulting & Strategy. Originally from Titusville, Florida, she spent her early years in India. Having graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a background in public health, her experience primarily revolves around social justice nonprofits in the public and education sectors. Krishna is passionate about amplifying diverse voices and narratives, while honing her storytelling abilities.

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