Gaurav Pooniwala, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2025
Gaurav Pooniwala, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2025Age: 30
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: IIT Bombay, BTech in Electrical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Deep Learning Engineer/Consultant, Samsung Electronics, Seoul, 6 years; Senior AI Engineer, Rephrase Technologies, 2 years; Technical Crisis Manager, Rephrase Technology, 1 year
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
As an AI engineer, I have been working in my own bubble on solo research projects for a long time. While my work may be impactful, it was sometimes difficult for me to see the impact since I did not understand the larger business ecosystem that I operated in. I took on additional responsibilities as a Project Manager and Technical Crisis Manager at my last job at an AI-based startup to learn more about it. Through this role, I collaborated with multiple teams and learned that I love working with people. People are complicated, and every person has so much to offer you. This reinforced my decision to move into management. I also realised that I need to have a better overview of business if I want to be a successful manager. To meet more people and learn the fundamentals better, an MBA was the obvious next step for my career growth.
Why did you choose LBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I plan to stay in the field of AI after my MBA. Being a young science, there are many applications that are yet to be found for it. I chose LBS because I want to learn about the various problems faced by people from different countries and industries to find novel applications for them. Finding an MBA program with a diverse cohort from which I could learn was crucial.
I also wanted a 2-year program to spend more time learning about business, people and myself. The LBS program gives me more time to explore various career paths too.
London has always been a prominent financial hub and has recently emerged as a hotspot for AI companies. LBS seemed like the best fit for me for all the above reasons.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the London Business School Class of 2025?
Having a background in AI, I believe I can be an invaluable resource to my MBA cohort. I believe AI is going to grow into one of the most powerful tools in business. I can help the Class of 2025 understand this tool and guide them on how to use it.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love dancing. I have learnt multiple dance forms – specializing in social dances like Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Lindyhop, etc. I have taught classes, performed for thousands of spectators and started my own dance company.
Post-MBA career interests:
I love solving unique and diverse problems and want to learn more about business at a macro level. I plan to pursue consulting after my MBA for these reasons. Over time, I plan to combine this with my expertise in AI to provide solutions for the problems that will emerge as companies try to incorporate this new technology.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talk to lots of people and compare their experiences with yours. I spoke to over 20 students and alumni from different MBA schools as a part of my application procedure. Comparing their experiences and perspectives with mine was one of the most transformative experiences in my life. It helped me understand myself, which helped me create a good MBA application.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Make better use of time. Instead of completing all research and then writing the complete application in 1 iteration, I would try to go over my application more. As soon as you decide to apply, start writing your application. This will force you to think about your own priorities and goals. Your first iteration of the essays will be bad. But it will help you start asking the right questions, which will greatly help you in the long term.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I don’t think I would have skipped any section. Even if I struggled with a section, persevering and learning to overcome it was a key step in my personal growth. I think the LBS admission procedure has been optimised over decades to help them evaluate you and to help you learn more about yourself. And the system works!
What is your initial impression of the LBS students/culture/community?
The LBS community has been very welcoming and friendly. Every person you meet has already achieved so much in their life, yet everyone is so humble. People have a lifetime’s worth of experiences to share with you, along with their unique perspectives. I am truly impressed by every person I meet and hope to absorb as much as possible from their knowledge and personalities.
What is one thing you have learned about LBS that has surprised you?
I was aware of this, yet I have been surprised by how much I can learn outside the classroom. I already mentioned the people. But also, there is so much to be learned from the clubs and other out-of-class activities. Learning and growth never stop!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
With the ridiculous number of activities that happen throughout the program, you cannot participate in all of them. I already feel the “Fear of Missing Out” whenever I need to skip an activity. I am hoping to be as active as possible without burning out.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about the Career Centre and its resources. This will be the first time I have been exposed to such services at such a high level, and I hope to make the most of it.
