In this post, Ujjwal Gandhi shares how his IESE Young Talent Path experience helped him understand the transformative value of an MBA, shape his career ambitions and ultimately join the MBA Class of 2028.
When I was in the final year of my undergraduate studies in India, almost every conversation revolved around two options: getting a job or pursuing an MBA. Like many students, I understood that an MBA could open doors to better career opportunities, but I never truly understood why someone should pursue one. Beyond the promise of a higher salary, I couldn’t see how it would shape my career or help me become the professional I aspired to be.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, while applying for jobs, I also began exploring MBA opportunities. That was when I discovered deferred MBA admissions, and one program immediately stood out—the IESE Young Talent Path (YTP). Unlike traditional deferred admissions, YTP offered something far more valuable than an early admit: the opportunity to experience an MBA before committing to it.
I applied with great excitement but was rejected.
Although disappointed, the experience sparked a curiosity that didn’t fade. I shifted my focus to campus placements and was fortunate to begin my career as a statutory auditor at EY. Yet the question remained in the back of my mind: Is an MBA really meant for me?
Instead of giving up, I reached out to current IESE students and alumni. Their encouragement, honest advice, and insights motivated me to apply to YTP once again. This time, fortune smiled on me.
In July 2022, I became part of a cohort of 71 young professionals representing 15 nationalities participating in the YTP Assessment Bootcamp. Looking back, those three days changed the trajectory of my career.
For the first time, I understood the real purpose of an MBA. During the Assessment Bootcamp, I experienced the case method in action and saw how classroom discussions become richer when every student brings a different professional and cultural perspective. I understood the value of a diverse learning environment, the importance of a strong Career Development Center, and the lifelong impact of an engaged alumni network. Most importantly, I discovered that an MBA wasn’t simply about changing jobs—it was about changing the way you think, lead, and solve problems.
I had finally found my “why.”
I had a memorable experience during the Young Talent Path Bootcamp, where I was able to truly understand the transformative value of an MBA.
Returning to India, I became intentional about building the profile I wanted before business school. While I started my career in audit, I knew my long-term ambition was to work in corporate finance and eventually grow into a CFO or finance strategy leadership role. To move closer to that goal, I transitioned from audit into industry, joining the revenue assurance team at Lenskart, India’s largest eyewear company. There, I managed the B2B business across major marketplaces, working on revenue assurance, financial controls, reconciliations, and ERP transformation initiatives.
Alongside work, I completed a distance Masters in Commerce degree and pursued the US CPA qualification, passing three of the four sections. Every step was guided by one question: What experiences will prepare me to become the leader I want to be?
As my responsibilities grew, so did my conversations with senior finance leaders. Whenever I asked for advice on reaching strategy and CFO roles, their recommendations were remarkably consistent: gain broader exposure, continue learning, and consider pursuing an MBA.
Each conversation reminded me of what I had experienced during YTP. I wasn’t choosing an MBA because it seemed like the next logical step; I was choosing it because I had already seen its transformative potential.
When the time came to apply, IESE was my clear first choice. The case method that had inspired me during YTP, the extraordinary diversity of the student body, the school’s commitment to developing humanistic leaders, its global reputation, and the opportunity to study in Barcelona all aligned perfectly with the leader I hope to become.
Today, I feel incredibly grateful to be returning to the same institution that first helped me understand the value of an MBA. What began as a search for answers has become the next chapter of my journey.
This fall, I’ll join the IESE MBA Class of 2028 not just with career aspirations, but with a clear sense of purpose. And in many ways, that journey began with a rejection, a second chance, and three unforgettable days at the Young Talent Path Bootcamp.
Written by Ujjwal Gandhi, MBA Candidate Class of 2028
Pursue your dream MBA! Take these next steps today:
