Vijay Naraharisetty, Vanderbilt MBA Class of 2028
Age: 25
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: B.Com (H.R. College of Commerce and Economics), Chartered Accountant (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India), CFA L1 passed (CFA Institute)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: I worked as an Equity Research Analyst at Barclays Investment Bank for 2 years covering European Construction, Infrastructure, and Building Materials. In this role, I authored a comprehensive India strategy report that influenced investment discussions with global fund managers. This experience allowed me to sit on both sides of the table, interacting directly with buy-side institutional investors as well as corporate CEOs and CFOs.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Working in financial services gave me a deep understanding of valuation and market dynamics. However, I realized that to transition into roles that drive broader corporate strategy, I needed a more holistic business toolkit. I chose to pursue my MBA now to gain the cross-functional perspectives and leadership frameworks required to move from a specialized analyst into a well-rounded strategic decision-maker.
Why did you choose Vanderbilt Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Vanderbilt Business stood out to me for its collaborative professional ecosystem and its location. The Professional Clubs frequently hosts targeted sessions and symposiums that provide essential resources and industry connections. Beyond formal resources, the culture is deeply collaborative; alumni, professors, the Career Management Center, and my cohort consistently go out of their way to support each other. On a personal level, growing up in Mumbai made me a city guy at heart. I knew I wanted to pursue my MBA in an energetic urban center, and Nashville perfectly provides that dynamic environment, alongside an incredible culinary scene that perfectly supports my habit of mapping out dozens of local restaurants and street food joints to explore.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
My most differentiating contribution is what I call a ‘middle view’ perspective on corporate strategy. In my time as an Equity Research Analyst, I sat right at the intersection of corporate executives and institutional investors. Often, corporate leadership operates with a long-term, entrepreneurial mindset, while investors tend to evaluate performance and capital allocation on a much shorter horizon. Having interacted extensively with both CXOs and global fund managers, I’ve learned how to plug this gap. I look forward to bringing this dual perspective to classroom discussions, helping my cohort understand how to align long-term corporate vision with immediate market expectations.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am a massive aviation enthusiast. When I traveled to Japan, I intentionally skipped the convenient direct flight from Mumbai to Tokyo. Instead, I deliberately booked a multi-leg journey simply so I could experience flying on four specific aircraft in a single trip: an Airbus A380, an A350, a Boeing 777, and a Boeing 787.
Post-MBA career interests:
I am targeting roles centered around strategic decision-making and cross-functional execution. My goal is to leverage my analytical background to help organizations bridge the gap between long-term strategy and operational reality, driving sustainable growth.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely spend significant time upfront clearly defining my core ‘Why MBA’ story and speaking with current students before ever looking at the essay prompts. Focussing on my personal narrative first, combined with the cultural insights I gathered from student chats, allowed me to write much more authentic and tailored applications.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started my networking outreach sooner and staggered my application submissions. Juggling all applications simultaneously was an intense lift; initiating those valuable conversations with current students earlier would have allowed me to spread out the essay workload and made the final weeks much less stressful.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped the endless cycle of over-editing my essays. While seeking feedback is important, having too many people review your writing leads to conflicting advice, too many chefs spoil the broth, and it can dilute your unique voice. I got through this by ultimately limiting my proof-readers to just two or three trusted individuals and reminding myself that, at the end of the day, it is my story to tell.
What is your initial impression of the Vanderbilt Business students/culture/community?
The community has completely exceeded my expectations. The famous Southern hospitality is very real, even just walking around Nashville with my Vanderbilt name tag, locals are incredibly welcoming (Ohh nice! You are from Vanderbilt!). Within Vanderbilt Business, the students are extremely helpful and inclusive. I have never once felt like an international student; the culture here immediately makes you feel right at home.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I am primarily looking to join the Culinary Club, the Owen Outdoor Adventure Club, and the Soccer Club. As a massive foodie who loves hunting down local restaurants and street food, a club centered entirely around food is a no-brainer. The Outdoor Adventure Club’s hikes and river rafting trips sound incredible, and the Soccer Club’s weekend games will provide the perfect outlet to de-stress and stay active outside the classroom.
What is one thing you have learned about Vanderbilt Business that has surprised you?
The completely flat hierarchy and genuine accessibility of the faculty and the Career Management Center really surprised me. The professors are incredibly approachable and host dedicated office hours on Fridays to ensure every doubt is clarified. Beyond that, the classroom environment is remarkably welcoming. No matter how basic a question might seem, you are never made to feel like it is something you should already know. It is an amazingly supportive space that encourages you to speak up.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited to build deep relationships and a strong network with my cohort. I look forward to bonding with my classmates outside the classroom by exploring Nashville’s incredible culinary scene together, de-stressing over weekend soccer games, and taking trips to hike and explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
