Student of Babson College, Manan Bhandari Recounts His Days at Olin Graduate School of Business
Name: Manan Bhandari
Designation: MBA Candidate, Class of 2020
School Name: F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, Babson College
Date: 11/05/2018
Please provide a short description of yourself. What you do, your special interests and life goals. We may use this information to add as a byline to the article or post.
Currently an MBA Student at the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College, I have a background in product management that includes a stint as a co-founder of a mobile application startup in the food tech space. I have always had an interest and inclination towards innovation in technology, and am always looking to solve problems in simpler albeit efficient ways. I have had the opportunities to hone my abilities as a product manager by building and leading teams in my startup as well as in the roles thereafter. I wish to continue developing in this space on a larger scale.
Questions:
1. Being able to follow your path to the right career is crucial. Who guided you? What motivated you to choose this academic/career path?
Professionally, I felt stuck in stagnation and decided to reach out to my well-wishers in the industry and my peers. I had reached a point where I was not able to decide on how to move forward in my career when the option of pursuing MBA was strongly suggested to me. The possibility of learning and interacting with a diverse group of peers and faculty members was an exciting prospect, with the added benefit of enhancing my abilities and honing my skill set for a global scale.
2. Can you share with us what are you looking to pursue as a career in the future?
I have a strong desire in pursuing management in information technology, and also to build an incubation center in my hometown to support fellow entrepreneurs with the resources they’d need to kick-start their ideas into motion.
3. Describe the most interesting lesson/experience at college that you have had till date.
We had to do an entrepreneurial challenge in groups, where we had to make money from practically nothing within a week. It was extremely interesting to see a diverse set of ideas with varying results. We realized as a cohort that the possibilities of innovation and creation are endless, we just need the right focus and attitude.
4. What are the special features/highlights of your college experience so far?
My Classmates. They are always ready to help each other out, be it academics, extracurricular activities or just having fun. We’ve been here for a few weeks only, but it feels like we’ve been friends since ever. The feeling of companionship is contagious
5. What advice would you like to give to other students/professionals who wish to boost their academic or career goals?
Know what you’re looking for, but at the same time be open to new experiences and the possibility of finding passion in something extremely different from your background. Also, always ask yourself what you can contribute to the people around you, the reciprocation always happens.
6. If there is one thing you’d like to change in your college, what would it be?
I’d like to see more events and activities that involve collaboration with other colleges nearby. The student population in Boston is huge, so the possibilities are endless.
7. Your final word of advice (in one line):
Buzzwords: “Be Yourself!” – It’s definitely true though, you want to be at a place that fits well with who and what you are.
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