Strategic Career Planning and Professional Development MGMT6025

Essay

1. Please describe your professional short-term and long-term goals. How will your short-term goals change if your initial plans are not possible due to constraints outside of your control? (250 words or less)

2. Entrepreneurial leaders encourage collaboration by leveraging a wide range of perspectives and interests. Please share something about your background, lived experiences, or viewpoint(s) that speaks to how you would contribute to and learn from Babsons inclusive and collaborative community. (250 words or less)

3. Tell us about a mistake you have made either personally or professionally, and how you learned from it. Looking back, what would you do differently now? (150 words or less)
4. What are three fun facts about yourself that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee? (150 words or less)

5. Please use this short answer space if you would like to share with the Admissions Committee any additional information or extenuating circumstances that have impacted any aspect of your application (e.g. gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, academic performance, or extenuating personal circumstances). Please only answer this question if you feel as though other areas of your application need further clarification. This space is not to be used for a statement of purpose and you are limited to 150 words or less.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Throughout my 12-year career in Corporate and Investment Banking, Asset Management, and Project Management across diverse sectors including Retail, Media, Telecom, and Financial Services, I have developed a profound interest in the complexities of global finance, strategic business management, and the intricacies of financial markets. As I continue to advance in my professional journey, I recognize that further honing my financial expertise and understanding of global business dynamics is essential for achieving my long-term career goals. To that end, I am eager to pursue a Masters in Finance, which will provide me with the specialized knowledge required to drive financial strategy and decision-making in todays global business landscape.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Kishinchand Chellaram College, University of Mumbai, where I cultivated critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills that have laid a strong foundation for my professional growth. Also, during my graduation course, I worked with the organiser team in the state-level seminar hosted by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). These skills have proven invaluable, particularly in finance, budgeting, and project management. Additionally, I have completed a one year Executive Programme in Advanced Analytics from IIM Calcutta, which deepened my understanding of data-driven decision-making in the financial sector.

While my academic background was not directly linked to finance, the numerate, technical and analytical competencies I developed during my studies equipped me with a strong aptitude for quantitative analysis. This made me well-prepared to undertake a career in finance with some of the best known blue chip companies. Pursuing formal higher education in finance is a natural progression from my growing interests in strategic management, investment analysis, and risk managementareas Ive been exposed to through my professional experiences.

Over the years, I have gained extensive hands-on experience in financial services, including derivatives trading, Nostro reconciliation, project management, risk management, and stakeholder management. I have held leadership roles at renowned organizations such as EXL and J.P. Morgan, where Ive managed complex projects, optimized operational processes, and facilitated communication between stakeholders. One of my significant achievements was streamlining the Libor-impacted trades by creating new Risk controls and Dashboard reports that reduced the failed trade breaks by 60%. While working in J.P. Morgan as a Team Leader, I got the opportunity to travel to London and the J.P. Morgan onshore office for 1 year. I vividly remember the example of my leadership ability role in spearheading the move of $10 million ETD derivatives reconciliation process from London to India amid the chaotic Covid crisis in 2020 - 2021. In the absence of my manager due to serious health issues, I took the entire end to end responsibility right from preparing BRD, FRD and all the essential SOP documents ensuring the migration was scheduled on time and seamlessly pivoted to India. With no prior experience in working on a GMI application, I single handedly performed the static setup of client accounts and even reconciled failed trades and cash breaks avoiding total equity impact on the portfolio of customers. This experience honed my leadership skills and deepened my understanding of how investment management can meet financial goals for the benefit of investors. At EXL, I led teams working with major Fortune 500 clients, overseeing Master Service Agreements (MSA), Statements of Work (SOW), and financial reporting processes, resulting in a 15% reduction in operational costs. Similarly, at J.P. Morgan, I was responsible for handling post-settlement reconciliation for derivative trades and cash flows, collaborating with international counterparts, and managing liquidity processes. These experiences have refined my leadership and decision-making skills, laying a strong foundation for pursuing an advanced degree in Finance.

My work in Corporate and Investment Banking and Asset Management has fueled my passion for understanding how financial markets operate and how companies leverage finance to achieve growth and sustainability. As businesses continue to globalize, understanding international financial systems, investment strategies, and risk management has become more critical than ever. The ability to navigate complex financial environments and craft strategies to optimize performance is essential in todays global economy. I am committed to leveraging my skills to pursue a career as an international finance strategist, helping organizations develop and implement financial strategies that ensure long-term success.

Post my masters I would like to work in consulting or financial companies such as McKinsey, Bain & Co., and Goldman Sachs to foster innovation in financial products. This will eventually give me a long build network of clients and industry professionals that will help me establish my own private equity firm in India. I have a vision to be in a C-suite profile and studying MSc Finance from Babson School will not only hone my strategic financial planning skills but most importantly my emotional intelligence which will help me to make the right decision at the right time. The vast amount of knowledge I will gain both academically and otherwise, will help grow as a broader person in the future and strengthen my skill to a level where I can turn my dreams into reality.