Meet The Imperial College Business School MBA Class Of 2025 by: John A. Byrne on February 03, 2025 | 4,329 Views February 3, 2025 Copy Link Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Share on Reddit A JOURNEY OF SELF DISCOVERY The MBA at Imperial College Business School does not only demand a commitment to academic rigour, it also demands self-discovery whether professional or personal. “If you’d told me six months ago that I’d be excited about building a start-up, I would have laughed in my office,” says Arathi. “Me? The structured developer? No way! Enter Imperial’s “Entrepreneurial Journey” module. Working with a team to transform an idea into a viable business plan has sparked something I never expected.” As a self-confessed ‘Potterhead’, Arathi has taken the wise words of Albus Dumbledore to heart; “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” And is excited to explore the unknown. “I loved that Imperial lets you customize your learning journey. With over 40 electives to choose from, I can deep-dive into areas like AI strategy while building core business fundamentals,” she says. That exploration has led to discovering what London has to offer beyond the pursuit of higher education. “Last week, I found myself explaining price verification algorithms over street food in Brick Lane to a bunch of entrepreneurs in real estate. That’s London for you – where conversations about work can seamlessly transition into debates about the best Sunday roast in town!” Sheen too feels a sense of home in the City. “As Paddington Bear once said, ‘in London, everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in,” says Sheen, “London is a truly global city, offering a vibrant multicultural environment where students can engage with people and industries from diverse backgrounds, fostering cultural intelligence and global perspectives,” GETTING IN So how can future applicants ensure themselves a spot on next year’s roster? The answer from the class of 2025 seems be unanimous – just be yourself. The willingness to share knowledge and experiences fosters a supportive atmosphere “Don’t try to fit some imaginary ‘perfect candidate’ mould – just be you! Imperial values authenticity – they want to know your real story,” says Arathi. “Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you need to have worked in specific industries or studied specific subjects to get in! Lean into your unique skills and experiences and showcase how they have been of value to your career so far,” adds Sheen. And above all? “Use your essays and interviews to demonstrate your commitment to collaboration, your ability to reflect on your experiences, and your desire to create positive impact,” says Riccardo. Imperial’s class of 2025 want to change the world… the class of 2026 have a tough act to follow. An interview with James Barlow – Academic Director of the MBA programme and Co-Director, Imperial Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance James Barlow P&Q: Imperial College Business School is in South Kensington, the cultural heart of the city. How does the MBA program tap into the London ecosystem (and its alumni base) to provide school projects, employer partnerships, and job opportunities for students? What types of jobs are your students landing and which companies? Imperial College Business School is fortunate enough to be located in one of the most diverse and welcoming cities in the world. It is a global hub of innovation, business and culture, offering students access to a truly dynamic and thriving business environment. With many internationally renowned companies basing their headquarters in London, the city offers students opportunities to complete transformative internships, work placements and real-world experiences. Studying in London also provides students with an abundance of networking opportunities and career events, connecting them with professionals from across the globe. Our Full-Time MBA graduates have gone on to work for some of the most influential companies in the world, including Amazon, Capital One, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Deloitte, IBM, Mastercard and Revolut. Beyond the plentiful professional opportunities on offer, London has a rich and diverse cultural landscape that brings together people from different walks of life and offers students a chance to learn and grow from one another in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. P&Q: How does the MBA program integrate DEI in its MBA programming? How does the program leverage the larger university’s commitment to diversity in building its MBA program and what dividends does this commitment provide to its students? Imperial College Business School takes pride in its diverse community. This year our Full-Time MBA cohort represents 26 different nationalities. Each student brings their own unique perspectives and experiences that make for a truly enriching learning environment. This global network of students not only opens opportunities for students to collaborate on a global scale, but also encourages cultural intelligence, a key component of leadership in business that ensures students thrive in global settings in their future careers. As a Business School, our mission is to foster a diverse, inclusive student community, as well as enhancing opportunities for underrepresented groups. Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) strategy includes integrating EDI into the student experience, improving opportunities, addressing bullying and harassment, analysing data for progress, collaborating internally and externally, promoting dialogue, and ensuring visibility of EDI efforts. Actions include student mentoring, inclusivity funding, EDI training, data reviews, and promoting open communication to create an inclusive environment that benefits all students. P&Q: How does your business school incorporate technology into the curriculum and how has it engaged students and faculty on the use or incorporation of such new, emerging technologies, for example like ChatGPT? A standout feature of our Full-Time MBA programme is its dedicated focus on innovation and technology and how it can enhance the business landscape. Initiatives like the Imperial Innovation Challenge highlight this approach perfectly. This intensive one-week project allows students to delve into deep-tech acceleration and they are presented with the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies being developed by Imperial’s different faculties, including engineering, medicine and chemistry. Working in groups, students navigate how these new innovations can be commercialised, bridging the gap between technological development and the marketplace. This opportunity equips students with the understanding and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of emerging technologies and their real-world impact, setting them up for success MBA Student Hometown Undergraduate Alma Mater Last Employer Alia Friedman Philadelphia, USA Carnegie Mellon University Morgan Stanley Arathi Nair Delhi, India IGDTUW, Delhi Goldman Sachs Bogosi Shashane Palapye, Botswana London School of Economics Staysure Group Calvin Nisban Singapore National University of Singapore SAP Christa Schweizer Bermuda Spelman College Butterfield Group David Driskell Atlanta, USA Berry College FinQuery Gabriela Warpsinski Jakarta, Indonesia King’s College London British Heart Foundation George Dear Warsash, UK University of Surrey Balfour Beatty Riccardo Bassiri Glasgow University of Glasgow Stanford University Sheen Hui Singapore Babson College SmartFlower Solar Sofia Baldomir Montevideo, Uruguay University of Montevideo / LSE Blend Vatsal Bhandari Dubai, UAE Narsee Monjee Inst of Mgmt Studies Crux Investor Previous PagePage 3 of 3 1 2 3