As the days grow sunnier, it means many graduate students will begin the long march to the convocation stage later this year. Each year different students take on a number of leadership roles in the Schulich community that have a direct impact on the quality of experience each grad student has during their time here.

This interview series will provide insight about students’ extracurricular leadership, professional achievements, and personal reflections.

– Frank Paul, Graduate Business Council President, MBA candidate, 2017

Class of 2017 Profile: Meet Praseem Kulshrestha, MBA Candidate

Part 1: Quick Stats

Age: 29

Hometown: Indore, India

Undergraduate School and Degree: Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai, Engineering

Community Work and Leadership Roles: Director, External, Schulich Finance Association and Mentor, GBC Buddy Program

Fun Fact: I moved to more than five schools as a kid, traveling to different parts of India

Part 2: Business Education & Achievements

Q: Where did you work before coming to Schulich?
A: I was working as an analyst with Credit Analysis and Research Ltd

Q: Which academic or extra-curricular achievement are you most proud of?
A: Winning the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club’s Unhashed case competition was a wonderful experience. It was challenging and fun at the same time to learn about how Blockchain and Digital Payments are transforming the whole currency landscape. The first place finish was just icing on the cake!

Q: What did you enjoy most about Schulich? 
A: I loved the fact that Schulich has myriad activities going on at the same time. You will have assignments, projects, exams, external case competitions, sports competitions, club events, networking events … the list just goes on. Being a part of all these activities and working with and knowing different people was an enjoyable experience.

Q: What was the most challenging thing about your MBA? 
A: For me, since I was working part time for two terms, it was quite a challenge to balance work with school and family.

Q: What was the most surprising thing about your MBA? 
A: The amount of group work one has to do as a part of course, and the rigor of the 601.

Q: Who would you most want to thank for your success?
A: My dad, who believed in me and supported me, through this journey across continents.

Q: What’s your best advice to a Schulich applicant?
A: Play to your strengths and be confident of your abilities.

Part 3: Fill in the Blank…

“I knew I wanted to go to business school when…”
Praseem: …I looked at the lack of international experience in my resume.

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would …”
Praseem: …Have been managing a team at my previous company, and analyzing and assigning credit ratings to some of the largest companies in India.

Part 4: Fast Favourites

  • Book: Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

  • Movie: The Hangover (first one – it’s a great laugh)

  • Schulich professor: Murray McGuire. He made a dry subject like Personal Financial Management extremely interesting. A fascinating thing about him is his uncanny memory – he memorizes the name of each student in class, as early as the second class.

  • Schulich courses: Brand Management and Advanced Corporate Finance.

Stay tuned for more profiles of the Schulich class of 2017!