Aadyaa Pandey, Dartmouth Tuck MBA Class of 2023
Age: 31
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Undergraduate institution and major: Trinity College, Hartford CT, BSc. Economics
Pre-MBA work experience: 2017-2018 – Operations Assistant, Bradley, Foster & Sargent, USA (Wealth Management); 2018-2019 – Analyst, PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited, India & Nepal (Consulting); 2019-2021 – Head of Impact and Sustainability Department, Royal Mountain Group of Companies, Nepal (Tourism)
Post-MBA role: 2023-Present – Product Innovation Manager, Trojan Technologies
Why did you pursue an MBA?
Seeing the world reel from countless social, economic, and environmental crises, I had come to understand that traditional methods to address these challenges needed to be desperately supplemented by responsible private sector efforts. With an MBA, I hoped to advance my understanding of business fundamentals and improve my leadership skills so that I could ultimately lead businesses that provide innovative solutions to some of the most pressing problems through a triple-bottom-line approach (People, Planet, and Profit).
Why did you choose Dartmouth Tuck for your MBA? What factors figured most prominently into your decision?
I chose Tuck for two key reasons 1) its emphasis on shared values, and 2) its small class size.
Through testimonials and conversations with alumni, I found that the Tuck community operated from a collective set of values. When I read one of Tuck’s essay prompts asking MBA hopefuls what they had done to help others succeed, I knew I wanted to be in an environment that asked such value-driven questions. It didn’t matter whether you came from Nepal or Peru or Washington, D.C., what mattered was that each one of us was driven by a sense of responsibility and urgency to “better the world through business.”
Another important factor in my consideration was Tuck’s small class size. Having completed my undergraduate studies at a small liberal arts college in New England, I found that the smaller class sizes led to more engaging discussions inside the classroom and better access to faculty outside the classroom. In addition, a small class size also allowed for more meaningful connections to be formed.
Why have you pursued a career in social impact?
What has been consistent throughout my career is my desire to work for organizations that prioritize Purpose and Sustainability. The pursuit of working for something bigger than myself, for example, led me to work in socioeconomic development, both at the policy and the grassroots level before my MBA, and now in Water post my MBA from Tuck. I believe I can contribute the most when I am working for organizations with a strong mission.
What offerings at Tuck, specifically, supported your work in social impact? And how did they do so?
Career Services: One of the best resources at Tuck is its Career Services. I found it helpful to have regular discussions with my career advisor to talk through areas where my passion could align with concrete job opportunities.
Classes: Beyond the core classes that improved my understanding of business fundamentals, I found classes related to managing people and organizations very relevant. In any organization where you want to build lasting change, you need to bring your team onboard, and for that what we call “soft skills” are important.
Extracurricular Activities: Outside of the classroom, I found discussions at student-led events at the Center for Business, Government & Society helpful in deepening my knowledge of the role the private sector is playing in addressing critical ESG challenges across different industries. The center itself has a plethora of resources that includes opportunities for students to participate in conferences such as the COP, and pursue internships with non-profit organizations or public sector organizations.
What advice do you have for prospective MBAs considering MBA programs and planning on having a social impact in their careers?
First of all, I think it is important to broaden the lens through which we look at careers related to social impact. Social impact careers are not only limited to careers in non-profit or development. A for-profit business that is working to deliver clean water around the world is important as is a non-profit that is addressing malnutrition in lower income countries.
Second, reach out to Alumni from MBA schools working in companies or organizations that you may be interested in to understand how the schools they attended helped them land their jobs. This should be an important consideration when making decisions about which schools to apply for.
