Kevin Pandji, Boston College Carroll MBA Class of 2026
Age: 28
Hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia
Undergraduate Institution and Major: UC San Diego, B.S. and M.S. in NanoEngineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience: 6+ years in Process Development and Manufacturing Engineering in the medical device industry ranging from start-ups to a billion dollar company.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I’ve spent the last 6+ years growing my technical skills in Operations Engineering and decided to get my MBA to further my career development into general management within the healthcare industry. I wanted to broaden my business acumen in areas outside of operations, especially in the areas of finance, strategy, and management, all areas that I will need expertise in as I pursue general management in the future.
Why did you choose Boston College Carroll? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Boston College’s strong finance program and their emphasis on data analytics are the most prominent factors in my decision to choose BC. There were many instances in my career as a process engineer in the medical device industry where I had a lot of data at my disposal but was unsure how to make a sound conclusion from it. BC’s focus on data analytics can provide me with the tools to not only create the models myself but also understand and challenge future data presented to me as I lead others in my career. Additionally, being located in Boston, the heart of the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, BC can open up opportunities to learn from, network, and contribute to the healthcare industry here.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Boston College Carroll MBA Class of 2026?
Having grown up in both a third-world and a first-world country (Indonesia and the US), I am able to see cases and issues from multiple angles and different cultural aspects. Being able to view these different, sometimes contradicting, perspectives allows me to bring fresh discussion to the classroom.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
After two years of playing golf, I finally hit a hole-in-one this summer on a 120-yard par 3 in San Diego, CA.
Post-MBA career interests:
General Management in Healthcare (Pharmaceutical or Medical Device)
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Look back and connect the dots. It was amazing to see how my past experiences have always been aligned to my desire to live a life of service in healthcare, even when I didn’t fully realize it at the time.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Stressing too much over the interview. I found that my best interview (which actually was my BC one) was when I was the most relaxed and thus, the most me. Definitely prepare for the interview, know your resume inside and out, know why MBA and why now, but when you step into the interview, let you be you. Smiling during the interview helps, too.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I believe that everything you’ve done in the past has brought you to where you are now, so I would say that there’s nothing I would skip. What I can share is that the most stressful part of the application process was waiting for decisions to arrive. I remember having dreams at night about receiving a decision, only to wake up realizing it was nothing but my fantasy. One thing that helped me get through those times was to know that I’ve given it my best effort to control what I can control and that it’ll be okay. Doors will open when they open. Just be ready to walk through.
What is your initial impression of the Boston College Carroll MBA students/culture/community?
I love that BC’s students look out for one another, even from Day 1 of orientation. There was a sense of camaraderie within the cohort from the get-go.
What is one thing you have learned about Boston Carroll that has surprised you?
The way they structure your first year here feels like drinking out of a fire hydrant. I was used to the 10-week quarter system but the 7-week half semesters they do here is something else.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Adjusting to a new city, new friends, and new stage of life as a student again, especially after building a solid career and community in San Diego for the past 11 years.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Learning from both professors and my peers in the MBA program.
