Swetabh

Washington University, Olin Business School in St. Louis

“Show me the numbers, and I will tell you the story.”

Hometown: Varanasi, India (Ironically born at a place where people go for “Moksha” [liberation])

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m a hiker. I’ve done eight high-altitude treks in the Himalayas.

Undergraduate School and Major: Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Mechanical Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Assistant Manager

What has been your favorite part of St. Louis so far? What makes St. Louis such a great place to earn an MBA?�� The proximity of a sprawling 1,300-acre park just a few minutes away from the school has been an absolute highlight for me as someone who enjoys leisurely walks. The greenery and the tranquil atmosphere provide a perfect escape from the academic hustle. St. Louis has an enriched culture, and it is super affordable as well. These things provide a conducive environment for academic and personal growth. The recent attention from big corporations adds another layer of relevance, making it an exciting and dynamic location for earning an MBA.

You completed your Global Immersion earlier this year? What was the best part of the immersion experience for you? What was the biggest takeaway you gained? We had two global immersions earlier this year, and there’s one scheduled in Singapore for March. Olin’s global immersion program was a major factor in choosing this business school. The Barcelona immersion provided valuable insights into market variations and the need for tailored business models across geographies. However, my favorite was the Global Institution and Values program in Washington, DC. With over six years in the oil and gas industry, I’ve observed the significant impact of nonmarket variables, like government regulations, and unions, on business operations and businesses as a whole. The program featured seasoned speakers in international relations, trades, and business-government intersections, and it enhanced my understanding of these crucial dynamics. Moreover, this immersion was led by two of my favorite instructors at Olin.

Aside from your immersion and classmates, what was the key part of Washington Olin’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? WashU Olin’s emphasis on experiential learning was very important to me. Having been a part of the Boeing Center for Supply Chain Innovation, I can attest to its uniqueness and rewarding nature. Working with a healthcare client provided valuable insights into the US Federal health services market, especially significant and informative for an international candidate like me who didn’t have much insight about the US healthcare system beforehand. Looking ahead, I’m excited about joining a team through the Center of Finance and Accounting Research team, where I’ll be working on a project for a real estate client. These hands-on experiences make WashU Olin’s MBA program stand out and align perfectly with my learning goals.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Washington Olin? Choosing a favorite among the diverse offerings at WashU Olin is a tough task. The instructors, drawing from substantial industry experience, enrich our learning with real-world insights. Given my focus on finance, my top picks include Accounting, Managerial Economics and Financial Management. I’m eagerly anticipating the Private Equity course in the upcoming spring term. Additionally, my involvement in the WashU Venture Network has been immensely rewarding. This club allows me to engage with VCs, entrepreneurs and startups, providing hands-on experience in the vibrant VC ecosystem through due diligence and valuation exercises.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Getting a top four percentile score on the GMAT has added importance due to the challenging circumstances surrounding it. Amid the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced uncertainties about future career plans, I faced an increased workload, working six days a week, often for up to 70 hours. Additionally, during the preparation phase, I underwent a job reallocation, adding another layer of complexity. Despite these challenges, maintaining continuity in the preparation required numerous sacrifices, relentless hard work, and unwavering discipline. The moment the score appeared on the screen, I felt profound happiness, demonstrating a testament to my resilience and dedication during a period of significant professional and personal upheaval.

Describe your biggest achievement in the MBA program so far: A notable achievement during my MBA journey has been advancing to the finals of the internal VCIC competition. My interest in the alternative investment industry, cultivated years ago, found a practical outlet during the fall semester when I participated in the Internal Venture Capital competition. Despite being a novice without prior experience in evaluating firms and making investment decisions, I embraced the challenge. Faced with time constraints, I proactively sought resources both online and offline, delving into influential books for guidance. Making it to the finals of the competition was a gratifying result of this effort.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? One of my fondest memories stems from the very first class of my MBA, where we were assigned a “Campus Scavenger Hunt” task. This activity required our core groups to locate over 30 designated places on campus within a short timeframe, demanding both thoughtfulness and strategy. What made it particularly memorable was the composition of my core group—five members hailing from three different nations and boasting five diverse professional backgrounds. Remarkably, this was our first meeting, and we dove into the challenge together. Despite being new acquaintances, our teamwork was seamless and effective. The diversity within our group proved to be an asset as we successfully located all the places within the given time, earning the highest score in the cohort. The entire experience set a positive tone for the rest of our MBA journey.

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