Mehul Jain, Georgetown McDonough MBA Class of 2027
Age: 27
Hometown: Indore, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: IIT(BHU), Varanasi, Bachelor of technology
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Graduated from IIT (BHU) in 2019. Spent 2 years as a Machine Learning Engineer at an AI consulting startup, developing AI models across industries. Subsequently, worked 4 years at ICICI Bank as an AI Digital Transformation Manager, leading large-scale automation and AI initiatives in the banking sector.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After spending four years in an internal AI strategy role at ICICI Bank in India, I realised that while I had built strong technical expertise and driven large-scale digital transformation, my exposure was limited to the financial services sector. I want to broaden my perspective by exploring different industries and strengthen my foundation in finance, strategy, and consulting. Now is the right time because I have gained enough professional depth to contribute meaningfully in the classroom, yet I am still early enough in my career to leverage an MBA to pivot into consulting and position myself for long-term leadership in technology-driven transformation.
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Georgetown McDonough because of its emphasis on cura personalis that aligns with my own leadership philosophy of empathetic, people-centered leadership. The school’s location in Washington, D.C. was another unique advantage, offering proximity to headquarters of multinational companies, consulting firms, and international institutions. Besides, McDonough’s teamwork environment, large alumni base, and emphasis on global business align very well with my objective of shifting into consulting and pursuing a long-term career at the intersection of technology and strategy
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
With over seven years of experience in AI and digital transformation, I can bring unique perspectives on how emerging technologies are reshaping industries, sharing both the current state of AI and how it has evolved over the years. My engineering background also equips me with strong quantitative skills, which I look forward to using to support classmates who may not have had as much exposure to quant-heavy subjects before Georgetown.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
Among my friends, I’m known as the “human TripAdvisor.” Whether it’s planning a budget-friendly weekend getaway or curating the best vegetarian food spots in a new city, I somehow always end up being the go-to person for travel itineraries and food suggestions.
Post-MBA career interests:
I plan to pursue a career in management consulting with a focus on digital transformation and emerging technologies. In the short term, I want to work with leading consulting firms to gain cross-industry exposure, solve complex business problems, and help organizations harness AI and automation for efficiency and growth. In the long term, I aspire to become a technology strategy leader or build my own digital transformation consulting firm, enabling legacy institutions to modernize and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Attend the information sessions of all the target schools. Some schools provide application fee waivers as well for attending these sessions. Try to connect with current students in those schools and their alumni through LinkedIn to know more about the school.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Start researching about your target schools early and give GMAT/GRE exam as early as possible. Writing applications for each school and tailoring resume for each of them will take enormous time.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
If I could skip one part, it would be the endless waiting between submitting applications and hearing back from schools, it felt like the longest stretch of uncertainty. What helped me get through it was staying engaged with things I enjoyed outside of applications, like playing basketball and spending time with my close friends.
What is your initial impression of the Georgetown McDonough students/culture/community?
The Georgetown McDonough community strikes a great balance between ambition and support. Everyone is driven and competitive in the best sense, yet equally willing to share knowledge, resources, and advice to help one another succeed. From my first interactions, I’ve felt the culture is welcoming, collaborative, and rooted in building each other up rather than competing against one another.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I have joined the Consulting Club, the Technology Club, and the Explorers Club. The Consulting Club will be central to my career journey, helping me sharpen my case interview skills and build a strong network with peers, alumni, and firms. The Technology Club aligns with my background in AI and digital transformation and keeps me connected to opportunities in product management and emerging tech roles as an alternative career path. Finally, the Explorers Club reflects my personal love for adventure—I’m excited to connect with like-minded classmates through activities like kayaking, hiking, and discovering the outdoors together.
What is one thing you have learned about Georgetown McDonough that has surprised you?
One thing that surprised me is how genuinely supportive and collaborative the community is. I expected business school to be competitive, but I’ve seen classmates go out of their way to share notes, practice cases together, or connect each other to networking opportunities. The culture feels less like competing against one another and more like pushing each other forward, which has made the transition feel both motivating and welcoming.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m especially excited to take part in the McDonough Cup and rally my cohort to victory. It’s more than just a competition. It will be a chance to bond with classmates, showcase our energy across different games. The friendly rivalry among cohorts creates an incredible sense of school spirit, and I can’t wait to contribute to Team Saxa’s push for the win!
