Yash Gupta

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

“Adventurer at heart, innovator in mind, always chasing the next big idea.”

Hometown: Agra, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: My fitness journey began with a dare to myself, skydiving over Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah. At the time, I weighed 231 pounds, but the jump had strict limits: under 210 pounds and a BMI below 25. Determined to make it happen, I lost 60 pounds in just six months and finally made the jump. That rush opened the door to more adventures, some far riskier than I expected. While scuba diving once, we got caught in a sudden storm in the middle of the ocean during a full moon. Waves towered 20–25 feet high, and for a moment, I truly thought I wouldn’t make it back. Somehow, I did and that experience only deepened my love for adrenaline-packed challenges. Now, I’m chasing my goal of skydiving on every continent, constantly proving to myself that growth happens outside comfort zones.

Undergraduate School and Major: Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore and Information Technology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Samsung R&D Bangalore – Senior Engineer

What makes Los Angeles such a great place to earn an MBA?Los Angeles feels like the perfect mix of opportunity and inspiration. It’s home to the world’s largest entertainment industry, a booming tech hub in Silicon Beach, and a diverse, innovative business scene. Plus, the city’s cultural richness and year-round sunshine make networking, exploring, and learning outside the classroom just as rewarding as the academic experience.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of USC Marshall’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? For me, USC Marshall’s PRIME program was the real spark. I’ve always believed that the best learning happens when you’re pushed into unfamiliar territory, and PRIME is exactly that: a chance to step out of the classroom and into real-world global business challenges. The idea of working with international companies, immersing myself in new markets, and solving problems alongside local leaders excites me because it mirrors the adaptability I’ll need as a future founder. It’s not just about seeing the world, it’s about learning how to operate in it, make decisions when there’s no playbook, and come back with insights that can shape something bigger.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at USC Marshall? I’m excited to get involved with the High Tech Association (HTA), the Marshall Consulting & Strategy Club (MCSC), and the South Asian Business Association (SABA). These groups perfectly blend my tech background, consulting curiosity, and cultural connection, while offering a strong network of peers and industry leaders to learn from.

I’m also drawn to the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. Having built my own startup, I’ve learned firsthand the importance of adapting quickly, managing risks, and staying agile under pressure. I see the Greif Center as a place where I can sharpen those skills, spotting new opportunities, refining products through iterative development, and making smart decisions when the stakes are high. Together, these communities and resources will push me to grow as both a leader and an entrepreneur.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized that USC Marshall was the right program for you? Why? That moment came during the EY Gateway Program, where I was one of just 12 students representing Marshall. Walking into the room, I quickly noticed something remarkable: several directors and senior managers were Marshall alumni. They greeted me not just as a student, but as part of the Trojan Family. They offered advice, shared their own career journeys, and made introductions without hesitation. It wasn’t just networking, it felt like joining a lifelong community that genuinely looks out for one another. Experiencing that level of warmth, access, and support so early confirmed what I had heard all along: at USC Marshall, the Trojan Network isn’t just big, it’s personal, powerful, and committed to helping you succeed.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Founding FuncBox, my edtech startup, remains my proudest achievement. We built a platform to make coding engaging and accessible for children, turning complex concepts into fun, interactive experiences. The journey was full of late nights, countless pivots, and moments of doubt, but seeing our product spark curiosity in young minds made it worth it. Along the way, I was honored to be recognized by CEO Insights Magazine as one of the “Top 10 Best Leaders” from VIT in 2022, a reminder that passion, perseverance, and purpose can turn an idea into an impact.

What is your long-term career goal? I aim to build my career in product management, with a focus on the rapidly-evolving AI space. This path will allow me to lead impactful innovations, solve meaningful problems, and gain a deep understanding of market dynamics. Over time, I plan to leverage this experience to launch my own venture, combining technology, creativity, and purpose to make a lasting impact.

DON’T MISS: MEET USC MARSHALL’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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