Pranjal Agrawal ’26

Working at my startup, which manufactured home décor furniture for global consumer clients like TJ Maxx and Ashley Furniture, I realized that I thrive on new challenges and continuous learning. I decided to make a career transition into consulting, and I knew an MBA would accelerate my growth through structured learning and exposure to global business issues.

Yale SOM stood out because of its community. Conversations with students and alumni highlighted their humility, willingness to help, and commitment to business and society. The small class size fosters meaningful connections, while the integrated curriculum provides a well-rounded perspective on business. The opportunity to take courses across Yale was also a key advantage. A defining moment for me was meeting Dean Anjani Jain in India, where he explained the SOM philosophy. His insights confirmed my decision.

The integrated curriculum has profoundly changed how I approach decision-making as a leader. Previously, I focused on customer issues, execution, and return on investment. Now, I analyse decisions from multiple perspectives—considering competitors, internal workforce dynamics, investors, and broader societal implications.

Preparing for my summer internship, I practiced with a wide variety of consulting cases that required me to take all business stakeholders into account. I could clearly see how my ability to integrate different perspectives had improved.

One of my most rewarding experiences this year was teaching five-year-olds at a New Haven public school during Junior Achievement Day. Every year, SOM sends a group of volunteers to this school to teach K-8 students lessons in career and life preparedness. Teaching and learning are close to my heart, and this opportunity allowed me to contribute to the community in a special way.

Celebrating Diwali at SOM was another special moment. More than 250 students joined the school’s festivities, immersing themselves in the culture, traditions, and significance of the festival. Their enthusiasm and willingness to embrace a different culture were heartwarming.