Building For Impact: Neel’s Path From Research & Development At P&G To Harvard Business School

Neel grew up in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, in a household buzzing with purpose. His mother, a first-generation entrepreneur, tackled waste treatment challenges, while his father excelled in IT consulting. Their dedication to solving problems and creating impact shaped Neel’s ambition to make a meaningful difference in the world.

At IIT Madras, Neel pursued Chemical Engineering, immersing himself in hands-on projects in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector. These experiences revealed the potential of everyday products to transform lives. An internship at Procter & Gamble (P&G) cemented this passion, showing him how innovation in consumer goods could reach millions.

After graduation, Neel joined P&G as a manufacturing engineer, sharpening his skills in product development and process optimization. Three years later, he shifted to a consumer research role, diving deeper into user needs and refining products to better serve them. Despite his technical and research prowess, Neel recognized a gap: he lacked the strategic business skills to amplify his impact in the CPG industry on a larger scale. This realization sparked his decision to pursue an MBA at a top business school.

The journey to an MBA, however, was not straightforward. Crafting a compelling application that showcased his technical expertise, leadership, and vision for India’s CPG sector felt daunting. Neel partnered with Rajdeep Chimni at Admissions Gateway to navigate this challenge. Rajdeep’s thoughtful guidance helped Neel weave his diverse experiences into a cohesive narrative, ensuring every element of his application, from essays to minute details, authentically reflected his journey and aspirations.

Neel’s dedication and strategic approach paid off with acceptances from Harvard Business School and the Kellogg School of Management. After careful reflection, he chose Harvard, where he will begin this fall, poised to realize his dream of reshaping India’s consumer industry.

Neel’s path from Mumbai to Harvard underscores his commitment to impact, blending technical expertise, consumer insights, and a bold vision for the future.

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