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

 

As the first semester of the NUS MBA draws to a close, I’ve spent this past month reflecting on how much learning can happen outside the classroom. November turned out to be one of the most industry-intensive and professionally engaging months yet—filled with events, networking opportunities, and experiences that helped shape my understanding of where I want to head next in my career. From private equity to fintech, from venture capital to cross-functional leadership roles in India, this month offered a rich mix of exposure that brought academic concepts to life and sharpened my aspirations.

Engaging with Leaders: A Closer Look at Private Equity

One of the most insightful sessions this month was the Asian Business Series event titled “Cracking the Code – Building a Future in Private Equity”. Led by Joseph Khoo, Partner at State Square Capital, and facilitated by Professor Joel, the session offered a rare opportunity to hear candid reflections from someone who has spent years navigating the private equity landscape.

Cracking the Code – Building a Future in Private Equity,’ led by Joseph Khoo.

What stood out was Joseph’s perspective on building the fundamentals early—developing analytical rigor, understanding commercial drivers, and cultivating the patience required in long-cycle investing. For someone exploring roles in VC and PE, the session helped demystify career paths, skill expectations, and the mindset needed to thrive in the industry. It reminded me that breaking into investment roles requires not just technical ability but also the curiosity to understand businesses deeply.

Experiencing the Pulse of Innovation at the Singapore FinTech Festival

Another highlight of the month was attending the Singapore FinTech Festival, one of the largest global gatherings for technology, finance, and startup innovation. Walking through the bustling halls filled with banks, fintech companies, venture capital firms, and emerging technology startups was energising in itself.

The Singapore Fintech Festival.

Networking with industry professionals gave me a clearer picture of how Southeast Asia is evolving into a fintech powerhouse. Many leaders spoke about the rise of embedded finance, AI-driven decision systems, and the growing importance of customer-centric product design. One fireside chat that particularly resonated with me was titled “Has AI fascination caused startups’ target VC pool to shrink, or just change?” where VCs from India and Southeast Asia discussed how AI has transformed investment criteria, due diligence, and competitive dynamics. It broadened my understanding of the interplay between innovation and venture capital, reaffirming my interest in roles that sit at this intersection.

Fireside chat on “Has AI fascination caused startups’ target VC pool to shrink, or just change?” at the Singapore Fintech Festival.

Wrapping Up My Internship and Applying Learning in Real Time

This month also marked the completion of my Venture Capital internship with ICMG, where I worked on startup deal sourcing, market mapping for the Southeast Asian investment landscape, and preliminary evaluations for IC discussions. Having the chance to apply classroom learning to real-world ventures taught me how investors think about founder-market fit, scalability, and long-term value creation. More importantly, it strengthened my interest in pursuing investment-related roles in the future.

Closing the internship felt like a milestone—one that tied together the analytical, strategic, and communication skills I’ve been developing since the MBA began.

Building Community Through Student Clubs

On the community front, the Cultural and Social Club (CSC), where I serve as a core team member, reconvened to plan next semester’s events. What I enjoy most about CSC is how culturally diverse and collaborative the team is. Planning these events not only helps strengthen the MBA community but also builds leadership, teamwork, and event-management skills—qualities that complement academic and professional development.

While the month was packed with industry events, being involved in CSC planning reminded me that student-driven initiatives play a big role in shaping the MBA experience.

Exploring Global Career Pathways

Another meaningful engagement this month was attending the GLIDE Program information session hosted by DCM Shriram and facilitated by NUS BizCareers. The session provided an interesting perspective on India’s leadership development landscape and how cross-functional roles can accelerate holistic professional growth. As someone exploring opportunities both in Singapore and India, understanding hiring trends and the expectations of Indian conglomerates was extremely valuable.

Throughout the month, I continued reaching out to industry leaders, alumni, and peers across VC, PE, and corporate finance. Each coffee chat and conversation helped clarify the nuances of different roles, the evolving market conditions, and the skills companies are prioritising. These insights are already helping shape my internship strategy for Summer 2026.

Looking Ahead: December and Beyond

As I head to India for my December break, my focus shifts to strengthening my India-based network. I’m excited to reconnect with former colleagues, alumni, and senior leaders to understand how Indian companies perceive an international MBA from NUS, what opportunities exist for returning candidates, and how I can position myself better for roles in investing and finance.

One key shift I want to make in my networking approach is to build more relationship-driven connections—not just discussions about roles, but conversations that explore personal journeys, motivations, and the lessons professionals have gathered along the way.

With Semester Two approaching, I’m looking forward to applying these insights, contributing more actively to CSC, and continuing to build clarity around my career direction.

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.