Abhishek Agarwal, Yale SOM MBA Class of 2021
Age: 27
Hometown: Panjipara, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur | Chemical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 4 years, CPG
Why business school? Why now?
I am very pleased with the impact that I have brought already through my leadership; and in the future I intend to bring impact on a grander scale. While my experiences have helped equip me to a highly influential, pioneering business leader in the future, I still need to deepen my leadership, cultivate a global network and enhance my business knowledge. I feel it’s the time to gain those skills and knowledge as I can also share much of the leadership experience I have drawn in the classroom.
Why Yale? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
My commitment to developing and using my leadership to make a difference in all areas of my life – professional, academic and in the community – is what matters most to me and has enabled me to determine my fit at business schools. Mission and teaching pedagogy of school mattered to me a lot.
The Yale SOM mission to educate leaders for business and society really resonated with me because I feel the ability to make positive impact around me is a big factor in how I choose career opportunities.
Integrated core curriculum: It was important to me as while working as product dev. manager and engaging with different stakeholders, I realized it was important to understand all the stakeholders involved and their varied points of view.
The integrated core curriculum will help develop leadership skills as they relate to various organizational roles rather than to discrete disciplinary topics. It will prepare me to look across functions within a particular organization as well as across organizations, industries and sectors, when making strategic decision.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2021?
Management issues from both internal and external perspective and uniquely, how it ties together the pieces of a business school education into a meaningful whole.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
The application process is a very insightful journey and I enjoyed the experience to learn more about myself. My application didn’t cover my selfie-taking skills.
Post-MBA career interests?
I want to combine my passion for technology and healthcare into my own startup, which I will scale into multinational pioneering venture that betters and extends the access to affordable quality healthcare around the world, creating access where none currently exists.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talking to current students and alum to understand culture of school.
What is your initial impression of Yale’s students/culture/community?
My classmates here are even though so much accomplished in their carrier but they see and accept their own strengths and limitations without defensiveness or judgment. When I meet someone who radiates humility, my shoulders relax, my heart beats a little more quietly, and something inside me lets go.
One thing you have learned about Yale that has surprised you?
Integration of Yale SOM with the wider university.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am looking forward to incredible ways to get engaged with greater Yale University and would not want to miss anything.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I would take the opportunity at Yale SOM to identify, invite and host executive level leaders who have built successful purpose-driven businesses.
