The NUS MBA Diaries: Inside Dhruv Aggarwal’s MBA Experience

 

 

October was an exciting month filled with vibrant celebrations, insightful events, and meaningful conversations — all of which truly captured the essence of life at the NUS MBA. It’s been a reminder of how much learning happens beyond the classroom, whether through cultural immersion, professional networking, or simple moments of connection with peers.

Celebrating Culture and Community

The month kicked off with one of the most colorful and memorable events of the semester — the Deepavali celebration organized by the Cultural and Social Club (CSC). As a core member of CSC, I had the chance to help plan and organize the event, which brought together nearly 80 participants from across the MBA community.

The venue was beautifully decorated in traditional Indian style, with festive lights, a large floral rangoli, and a spread of delicious Indian food. What stood out to me most wasn’t just the visual beauty or the celebration itself, but the sense of community it fostered. Seeing classmates from over 20 nationalities come together — dancing, sharing stories, and experiencing a piece of Indian culture — was incredibly special. It reminded me how diversity at NUS isn’t just about having different passports; it’s about the willingness to share and celebrate each other’s cultures.

Later in the month, CSC also hosted a Halloween party, another fun and lively event that brought together current students, alumni, and exchange students. It was the perfect way to end the month — full of laughter, creativity, and bonding across cohorts.

Engaging with Industry and Innovation

Beyond the festivities, October also offered many opportunities for professional and intellectual growth. One of the most insightful events I attended was the SG Startup Ecosystem Networking Night, hosted by the Entrepreneurship Club. The event featured leaders from NUS Enterprise, Block 71, Singapore Startup Grind, and TiE Singapore, who shared their perspectives on what makes Singapore’s startup ecosystem unique.

As someone deeply interested in venture capital and entrepreneurship, this session was eye-opening. It helped me understand how innovation thrives in Singapore — through collaboration between academia, investors, founders, and accelerators. Listening to success stories and challenges firsthand reaffirmed my desire to work in this ecosystem and contribute to the growth of early-stage ventures.

Another highlight was the UAE Career Fair, organized by BizCareers, which focused on opportunities in Dubai and the Middle East. Interacting with representatives from major UAE banks, startups, and product firms expanded my global outlook and gave me valuable insights into emerging markets beyond Asia.

The Energy Club’s panel on “The Energy Transition and Realities” and the Consulting Club’s session with Temus Consulting added further depth to my learning. Both sessions provided an insider’s view into industries undergoing rapid transformation and emphasized the importance of adaptability and problem-solving — skills essential for future leaders.

And finally, the Marketing Club’s “Marketing Mayhem” event was a refreshing change of pace. The Ad Olympics competition was as entertaining as it was creative, while the panel discussion on “Marketing Skills in the AI Era,” featuring leaders from Google, TBWA, and NCS, offered fascinating insights into how AI is reshaping modern marketing.

Learning Through People

One of my biggest takeaways this month has been the art of meaningful networking. Since joining NUS, I’ve realized that networking isn’t about collecting contacts — it’s about building relationships. Every event, from career fairs to casual coffee chats, has helped me learn how to engage with people authentically, ask better questions, and express my interests in a thoughtful, informed way. These interactions have not only broadened my perspective but also helped me articulate my career goals more clearly.

Looking Ahead

As I move forward, my focus will be on deepening my engagement with the industries that interest me — venture capital, finance, and consulting. I plan to continue reaching out to more NUS alumni in India and professionals through coffee chats, but with a more personal touch: learning not just about their roles, but about their journeys, motivations, and lessons along the way.

On the campus front, I look forward to continuing my work with the CSC club and contributing to upcoming events that bring our MBA community closer together. Each month at NUS brings new opportunities to learn, connect, and grow, and October has been a beautiful reminder that every experience, big or small, plays a part in shaping the leader you’re becoming.

Starting Strong: My Three Months at the NUS MBA

Stepping into the NUS MBA has been both exhilarating and humbling. From the very first day, I found myself surrounded by classmates from across the world, China, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Europe, and the U.S., each bringing unique experiences, industries, and aspirations. It’s fascinating how quickly our differences became strengths. Conversations that started with introductions soon turned into deep discussions about global markets, leadership challenges, and shared goals.

A Transformative Beginning: Launch Your Transformation

Our journey began with Launch Your Transformation, a four-day experiential leadership bootcamp that truly set the tone for what the NUS MBA stands for, learning by doing. The program pushed me far outside my comfort zone. From problem-solving under pressure to leading teams with diverse opinions, every exercise revealed something new about how I think, react, and lead.

What struck me most was how real it all felt. There was no textbook answer, only reflection, feedback, and growth. By the end of the program, I realized leadership isn’t just about making decisions; it’s about listening, adapting, and having the courage to be vulnerable. That experience was a genuine “switch-on” moment, the beginning of my transformation journey.

Career Momentum: Never Search Alone and the NUS Career Fair

The first month also introduced us to BizCareers’ Never Search Alone (NSA) program, facilitated by Phyl Terry himself. The concept was simple yet powerful, building peer “career councils” where we support each other’s job searches. Through structured reflection and accountability, it reminded me that finding the right role isn’t just about submitting applications, it’s about community, feedback, and strategy.

Another highlight was the NUS Career Fair hosted by the Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG). Walking into a hall filled with recruiters from finance, consulting, and tech firms felt both exciting and grounding. It was my first real glimpse into the breadth of opportunities available post-MBA. Talking to employers face-to-face helped me understand what skills are most valued and how to position myself better. It was also a good reminder that every interaction, however brief, can be the start of a relationship worth nurturing.

Beyond the Classroom: Clubs and Networking Nights

Student life at NUS is incredibly vibrant, and the student-led clubs bring the MBA experience to life. The Finance and Entrepreneurship Clubs in particular organized several engaging sessions this month, from industry speaker talks to the creative Wall Street on Screen event, a finance movie night hosted with Neeraj Seth (ex-Lehman Brothers). The combination of storytelling and real-world insights made finance feel both accessible and dynamic.

One of the biggest highlights of the month was the NUS MBA Networking Night. Over 100 industry leaders from various sectors joined us for an evening of conversation and connection. It was inspiring to hear firsthand how they built their careers, navigated challenges, and adapted to change. For me, this was when I truly began to understand the art of networking, that it’s not about collecting business cards, but about building authentic relationships based on curiosity and respect.

Hands-on Learning: My Venture Capital Internship

Perhaps the most unexpected yet rewarding part of my second month was starting my Venture Capital internship with ICMG Ventures, a Japan-based VC firm investing in India and Southeast Asia. Beginning an internship just weeks into the MBA was a steep learning curve, but an exciting one.

Working on live deals, evaluating startups, and engaging directly with founders gave me an inside look at how investment decisions are made and what differentiates a scalable business from an ordinary one. It also helped bridge my classroom learning with practical insights, from understanding financial models to assessing product-market fit. More than anything, it made me appreciate the energy and resilience that define the startup ecosystem.

Reflections and Takeaways

Looking back, this first few months have been packed with learning, both professional and personal. The Launch Your Transformation program helped me uncover my leadership style; the NSA program and Career Fair provided structure to my career planning; the Finance Club and Networking Night showed me the value of meaningful connections; and my VC internship gave me real exposure to the world of startups and investments.

If there’s one skill I’ve truly started developing this month, it’s the art of connecting with people. Talking to peers, alumni, and industry leaders has not only expanded my network but also helped me think more clearly about my goals. Each conversation adds a new dimension, a new story, a new perspective, or a piece of advice that helps me refine my path forward.

Looking Ahead

As I step into the next month, I’m excited to keep building on this foundation. I plan to continue engaging deeply with the NUS community, from organizing coffee chats with seniors and alumni to exploring roles in venture capital, finance, and consulting. I want to go beyond professional conversations and understand the human stories behind success, what drives people, how they make decisions, and what lessons I can draw from their journeys.

If the first few months are any reflection of what lies ahead, the NUS MBA is not just a program, it’s a transformation in motion. It challenges you, connects you, and gives you the tools to grow into a better version of yourself, one experience at a time.