Prem Rupawala

“A fast-learning and people-focused British MBA student in America looking to creatively solve business problems”

Hometown: London, England to Atlanta, Georgia

Fun Fact About Yourself: I used to be in a semi-successful indie band in the UK and had multiple of our songs played on top radio stations across the country.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Warwick – Law Degree (First Class)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: AND Digital – IT Consultant/Product Manager

What has been your favorite part of Atlanta so far? What has made it such a great place to earn an MBA?

I didn’t realize how much of a city in the forest it was. There are great opportunities to spend time in the outdoors on hikes, playing tennis, and/or pickleball, that is of course when you’re not stuck in wretched traffic! I also love how close it is to beautiful weekend getaways up in North Georgia, where some of our classmates rented a cabin for the fall break!

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

My first introduction to Scheller was through Dave Deiters from the Jones MBA Career Center, whose enthusiasm for Georgia Tech, Scheller, and the MBA program immediately sparked my excitement about joining. His passion reflected the kind of people Scheller attracts—not just as faculty but as part of the program’s community. The small class size of just 70 students per cohort stood out to me as a key differentiator, fostering close-knit relationships and lifelong friendships.

As an international student moving to the U.S. for at least two years, this sense of community was incredibly important to me. I wanted a program that would not only support my academic and career aspirations but also help me build strong personal connections as I start a new chapter, make new friends, and embark on a new career path. Scheller offered exactly that.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Georgia Tech?

Despite my initial expectations, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed financial and managerial accounting. A large part of that is due to our professor’s charisma and dynamic teaching style, which made complex topics engaging and accessible. Coming from a non-accounting and non-finance background, I initially approached the subject with some apprehension, but I found myself genuinely intrigued by the content. The course not only helped demystify accounting principles but also gave me a newfound appreciation for how these concepts drive decision-making in business. It’s been incredibly rewarding to step outside my comfort zone and discover a passion for something I hadn’t expected to enjoy.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

One of my biggest career accomplishments was working in a specialized strategy team for a major European airline to enhance on-time performance through a digital collaboration platform. By mapping workflows, conducting workshops, and engaging stakeholders, we identified key user groups with the greatest impact on punctuality and secured approval for a $6M business case to build an MVP roadmap within three months. This experience honed my skills in strategic planning, stakeholder management, and delivering tangible results, fueling my passion to pivot into management consulting and help clients address their most complex strategic challenges.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far:

My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far has been successfully navigating the challenges of the first semester while settling into a new country and building a sense of home. Despite hearing how hectic and stressful this period could be, I’ve managed to establish a strong group of friends, maintain top grades, and stay focused on recruiting for my summer internship. Balancing these priorities has been both demanding and rewarding, and it’s given me a deep appreciation for the resilience and adaptability I’ve developed along the way.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far?

There have been so many incredible memories during my MBA so far, but the one that stands out most happened during the last week of the semester when finals and recruiting were in full swing—right around my birthday. Despite the chaos, someone in the program threw me a surprise birthday party, and I was deeply touched by how many of my classmates, both first- and second-years, showed up to celebrate. It was a heartwarming reminder of the close bonds we’ve built and the amazing support we have for each other, even during the busiest times.