Rishabh Poddar, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2026
Age: 29
Hometown: Kolkata, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Heritage Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Marketing, Media & Politics: Total of 6 years; Bully Pulpit International (Washington DC) – 3 Years – Media Supervisor; Smartpower Automation (Kolkata, India) – 3 Years – Associate Director of Marketing
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I had three main reasons of attending business school and doing it now:
1. Having worked across North America and Asia, I wanted to relocate to Europe to build a true global mindset. LBS offered a strong network and a reputable brand to break into the European market.
2. I see business school as a long-term investment. I aspire to reach the c-suite in the future, and having a globally recognized MBA along with the leadership skills could make all the difference.
3. The timing was important because I had 6 years of work experience which is at par with the MBA average. I intentionally waited for 4 years after my MMS degree at Duke to be able to make the most out of my MBA. All class discussions have a strong focus on prior work-ex and 6 years felt like the sweet spot to go back to business school.
Why did you choose London Business School and their One Year MBA? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Two main reasons for choosing LBS and the one-year MBA:
1. It felt like a natural continuation of my Masters of Management Studies degree at Duke (which is a lot like the first year of MBA). I could tailor my entire year and choose all the electives I wanted without having to repeat anything from my previous masters.
2. I envisioned that I might be moving between the US and Europe long-term in my career. There’s always uncertainty in some part of the world, and having two strong networks across the US and Europe will help me hedge my bets. I already had a network from Duke, LBS gave me a network in Europe.
In fact, I felt so strongly about applying to LBS, both logically and viscerally, that I only applied to one school.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
My most valuable contribution to the Class of 2026 is my perspective at the intersection of marketing, media, and public affairs. Marketing is already underrepresented in most business school classrooms, and my experience working across media and political ecosystems in both the U.S. and Asia differentiates my viewpoint.
I have had the opportunity to contribute to some of the most impactful campaigns of this decade, including public affairs and advocacy work for the Gates Foundation, the NFL, and the 2024 U.S. Presidential elections. I bring a practitioner’s understanding of how narratives are shaped, influence is built, and strategy translates into impact, insights I look forward to sharing in class discussions.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
For my 25th birthday, I adopted a ring-tailed lemur, Randy, who currently resides in Duke University’s Lemur Center in North Carolina.
Post-MBA career interests:
I am motivated by tech and politics, and after my MBA I want to find myself in a big media house here in London. My plan B is to be within the marketing/strategy vertical of big-tech companies.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Speak to more people. Current students, alumni, career center, program staff, everyone was super helpful and had incredible insights and perspectives to share about the program which shaped my application and reinforced my decision to come to LBS. I thoroughly enjoyed this part of the application. People often find the idea of networking to be daunting, but if we really think about it, when we consider any partnership seriously enough, be it with a company, an individual, or a school, we will have questions to ask.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
If I could take more time, I would. My application process was a bit of a haze and I had to rush to meet deadlines (I applied in Round 3), but I know this needs an immense amount of introspection and thinking. I’d sit with myself, look inwards, and try to look for the answers there. Going to b-school is a life altering decision, and coming up with the right answers is quite like growing a tree – you can’t grow a tree overnight. It takes time, nurturing, rain and sun.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
There are several things we have no control over – like the job market, the geopolitical conditions, and the world we live in. Overthinking about this burned a lot of application time and I would try to worry less about this. One could say the job market is the toughest it’s ever been, another would say it’s the best it’s ever going to be. So it really depends on how you look at it.
What is your initial impression of the LBS students/culture/community?
These are some of the highest IQ and EQ individuals I’ve ever met. I’ve had some incredible conversations on campus – conversations that will stay with me for years to come. The community is welcoming, warm, and supportive, and everyone is trying to just be a better version of themselves everyday. I respect that a lot.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
During my time at LBS, I wanted to make a profound impact in marketing and I’ve taken up 5 hats.
1. LBS Student Association, Marketing Officer – this is the only body that has an impact on the entire school, current students, and alumni.
2. Marketing & Strategy Club, Senior ExCo member, Events pillar. – We’re working to organize more Marketing related events.
3. Music Club, ExCo member in Music Creation – we’re working to get more people to play, learn, and perform.
4. TATTOO Committee (largest cultural event on campus) – Leading the marketing pillar, we’re a team of six.
5. Lastly, I’m excited to serve as a Student Ambassador for the MBA program.
What is one thing you have learned about LBS that has surprised you?
The LBS building is owned by the Crown Estate!
What is one thing you are most excited about as a new LBS student?
Just the idea of being a part of such a vibrant and supportive community. It sounds pretty simple but in reality I feel that’s the greatest long-term appreciating asset that LBS has to offer. The people. They’re the best part about being here.
