Kanika Jakhar, Yale SOM’s MBA Class of 2026
Age: 28 years
Hometown: Rohtak/Haryana/India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur,
Electrical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Scientist, Indian Space Research Organisation, six
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Having worked in Space Research throughout my professional life, I felt the need to work on my leadership skills and broaden both my network and exposure to other industries. I want to zoom out from the space stuff and actually get a big-picture view of the business world. There’s no magic formula for when the ‘right’ time to do an MBA is, but this timing felt perfect for me. I’ve built up some solid skills that I can apply in post-MBA roles, and I’m still flexible enough to embrace new ideas—I haven’t turned into a set-in-my-ways space hermit just yet!
Why did you choose Yale SOM? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Yale SOM as the launchpad for my long-term goals after a lot of contemplation. SOM is much more than the typical B-school; beyond the flexible coursework, world-class professors, and exciting career opportunities For sure, every B-school offers flexible coursework, world-class professors, and fancy set of career opportunities, but SOM is much more. SOM is a tight-knit group who always support one another. We are practical enough to land amazing jobs but also care enough to give back to the society. That mattered to me the most, being around supportive peers who make room for one another, and no elbowing others out of the way (the spooky, stereotypical story of business schools). Where else would you find a bunch of future CEOs stoked about making the world a better place while still acing their case studies?
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
Apart from my happy pep-everyone-around-me self and a few dance moves, I bring a unique combination of space experience, engineering frame of reference, and insatiable curiosity about literally everything from our local politics in the states to the systemic risk in the economy. A super-cool economist in my class recently asked me to weigh in on the equations in a book that he is currently writing. Turns out I have more to offer to my highly-achieving classmates from business world than just some Instagram memes.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
Fun fact about me: I call myself a ‘weak independent woman’ because, let’s be honest, being a strong independent woman in this relentless world can be exhausting! But don’t be fooled— I’m also an adrenaline junkie who lives for adventure, who makes life-changing decisions mid-bungee jump, gets epiphanies after a mountain trek, finds solutions mid-marathon (mini-marathons to be honest) or parasails into the decision to do an MBA. Turns out, I thrive on the rush… with a little self-deprecating humor to keep it balanced!
Post-MBA career interests:
Consulting
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely go back and write those application essays once again. I am an extrovert and that leaves me little time to reflect on myself (talking about myself, absolutely, but reflecting, not so much). Writing my application essays was the most amount of time I had spent with myself, introspecting, figuring out what excites me, jotting down what I am good at, what skills I have picked along the way. Honestly, it was like speed-dating my own brain.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would reach out to more people to know about the MBA world, what to expect from an MBA, and how to make decisions on which MBA to go to. Apply to all the universities you are interested in, and hedge your bets. You are expected to do it, in fact.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped the endless proofreading my application. One time, I cross-checked my own name’s spelling in my application for my driver’s licence. I did not use an admissions consultant, so I had to make sure all the “T”s were crossed and “I”s dotted, myself, all alone. A few friends in other B-schools definitely helped me get through it but they had limited time and their own school schedules to follow, so an admissions consultant could have made life much more easier and less stressful.
What is your initial impression of the Yale SOM students/culture/community?
It’s like stepping into a warm-welcoming hug- with a sprinkle of wits and sides of ambitions. All the second-year students are always there to check on your mental health, help you navigate through the treacherous waters popularly known as “recruitment,” push you to do better — be your best self, and feed you through events (we love free food at SOM).
What is one thing you have learned about Yale SOM that has surprised you?
Something that surprised me: access to the broader Yale network, be it hunting for a creative cofounder for your startup, access to law students to decipher your lease, or just a community of fellow engineers to talk your nerd self out — it’s all right here. If SOM isn’t overwhelming enough with its own resources and network for you, we also get to be involved and be a part of this 300-year-old university network. And this does not stop with the current students, I have reached out to former Yale University alumni and have received exciting responses.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Time management. Coming to a B-school, I knew what a whirlwind I was getting into and I am enjoying every chaotic minute of it. But like every other MBA student, I find it nerve-wracking to prioritize my journey. There’s so much to do and so little time. Penning this down at midnight, I wonder how to prioritize my needs of having a personal assistant, a time machine, and a really really strong cup of chai (Indian tea).
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited to know more about the diverse set of experiences of my classmates and learn from them. I am learning from people who have worked with presidents and prime ministers, flown helicopters, dabbled in bio-computational research, worked in the fashion industry, and developed food-ordering business strategies, but like I said, there’s so much to learn and so little time.
