Can one degree change your career? For Daulat Mahadik, the NYU MBA program did exactly that. From engineering to becoming a Senior Associate at PWC’s Strategy&, his journey at NYU Stern shows how the right network, support, and leadership development can redefine what’s possible. Not to mention, you get to do it in New York City.
For Daulat Mahadik, an NYU Stern School of Business alumnus from India, the NYU Stern MBA program was more than an academic pursuit. It was a chance to make a meaningful career pivot, embrace global business thinking, and build a network that would propel him forward.
Having previously worked for Deloitte and Philips, the MBA helped him to pivot from engineering to consulting. Now a Senior Associate at PwC-backed consulting firm Strategy&, Daulat’s time at NYU Stern enabled him to take great strides in his career. In a recent interview with MBAGRADSCHOOLS, he shared insights into what he learned during his NYU Stern MBA student journey.
He chose the NYU Stern School of Business for its rigorous academics, experiential learning, and central location in New York City. Its reputation as one of the best MBA programs in NYC made it stand out among other schools. NYU Stern ranks #6 for the 2025 Best Business Schools.
Beyond its well-known reputation, the school’s New York City location and close industry connections make it an attractive choice. Daulat says, “In New York City, the variety of companies and opportunities is incredible. Stern does a fantastic job of bringing New York into the classroom.” (00:22)
The school bridges in-class learning with real-world NYC opportunities, a highly unique advantage.
Beyond that, the NYU Stern MBA community felt like the right fit for Daulat. Before applying, Daulat reached out to older students, alumni, and professors for coffee chats. He found a culture of openness and inclusivity that made the school stand out. “All of them gave me a sense that there’s a culture of giving back in the community,” he recalls. (00:34)
He knew that joining the NYU Stern community would have lifelong positive effects, even after graduation, as he would be part of an engaged alumni network.
Moreover, NYU Stern offers a multitude of experiential learning opportunities. For example, the Stern Consulting Corps (SCC) and Stern Signature Projects (SSP). He specifies, “They teach you how to apply academic frameworks in real life while working with Fortune 500 companies.” (00:58) MBA students at NYU Stern can rest assured that their two years in the Full-time MBA program will be rigorous and engaging.
And finally, NYU Stern’s reputation in finance was a major draw for him. As someone looking to break into the financial services industry, it was the right choice. He says, “The school’s strength in that field is unmatched.” (01:13)
The combination of these factors made the NYU MBA program the perfect fit for Daulat.
The NYU Stern Full-Time MBA offers a vibrant cohort community. 50 countries are represented in the classroom, and over 40% of students are international. Students come from a variety of industries, bringing unique perspectives into the classroom.
Daulat shares how his classmates from Europe and Japan helped him learn about business and finance in new contexts. He notes, “Learning from various diverse backgrounds and opinions in my classroom was fabulous.” (01:53)
Beyond the classroom, NYU Stern’s Careers Team and the Consulting Club were instrumental. They offered mock interviews, case prep sessions, access to various tools, and coaching. These resources helped Daulat pivot to consulting.
During his studies, he also embraced leadership roles, serving as president of Stern Chats, the university’s podcast show. He was also part of several different student clubs. Not to mention, he had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and work with the University of Otago. All of these experiences helped him gain cross-industry exposure and develop on a personal and professional level.
From a diverse cohort to numerous leadership opportunities and global exposure, Daulat’s MBA experience reflects what makes the NYU Stern MBA program truly unique.
Through all of those experiences, one of the most important key takeaways was leadership. Daulat’s perspective on leadership evolved profoundly during his MBA. Initially, he thought leadership was only for VPs and CXOs. During the Full-time MBA, he discovered that leadership is crucial at every level of an organization.
Through the Leadership Accelerator and the Leadership Specialization that he completed, he gained the frameworks and tools to exert influence and leadership in every role and at every level of his career.
For Daulat, being in New York City was more than a backdrop; it was an extension of the classroom. Many industry leaders spoke on campus. NYU Stern hosts various conferences that help students network with local industry experts. Many of whom actually work on Wall Street. As someone who always wanted to work in consulting on Wall Street, this was a great way to network with the people he most admired.
Guest lecturers from firms like Morgan Stanley, BCG, McKinsey, and PwC Strategy& frequently shared real-time market insights. This exposure offered students an unmatched understanding of the industries they hoped to enter. Daulat reflects, “They brought in real-time market insights from the front lines directly into our classroom. Their presence made learning incredibly rewarding.” (08:57)
NYU Stern offers its students access to networking events, conferences, alumni panels, and recruiting fairs. Combined with the program’s strong corporate connections, the NYU MBA program makes for an excellent career launchpad.
Daulat’s journey from engineering to consulting showcases the power of an NYU MBA program.
Yet, Daulat has some words of advice for prospective students. For STEM professionals considering business school, he advises embracing new ways of thinking.
He suggests, “Don’t just lean on your technical skills. Actively develop your comfort with ambiguity, storytelling, and people dynamics. That’s where real growth happens. Take courses that stretch you.” (09:53)
On the other hand, don’t dismiss your previous experience. Learning new skills while leveraging your existing expertise can be a major advantage.
He also advises taking full advantage of NYU Stern’s active community. He shares, “You might assume that in a place [like] New York, everyone’s constantly on the move and focused on their own hustle. But at Stern, there’s a real culture of paying it forward… It’s a community that surprises you, not just with its professional excellence but with its human connection.” (11:15)
For Daulat, the NYU MBA program offered the support, network, and tools he needed to make a career pivot towards the path he felt most passionate about. Getting to do all that in New York City was just the cherry on top.
Thinking about pursuing an MBA? Read inspiring stories from graduates and see if it’s the right next step for you.
