Although Aparna Raturi had found great success in some of the largest law firms in India, she found herself tired of her advisory role and desired a more operational and strategic role. In this installment of our Real Humans: Alumni series, we learn about Raturi’s journey from the HEC Paris MBA program to the hands-on experience in climate tech she was looking for.
Aparna Raturi, HEC Paris MBA ’23, Chief of Staff at CarbonFarm
Age: 34
Hometown: India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: National Law Institute University, Bhopal – Law
Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: HEC Paris, 2023 – MBA with specialisation in Finance and Sustainability
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Corporate Lawyer (~8 years), specialising in sustainable finance at leading law firms in India
Post-MBA Work Experience: Chief of Staff, CarbonFarm (Climate Tech startup), since 2023
Why did you choose to attend business school?
After almost eight years working at some of the largest law firms in India, I found myself both somewhat burnt out and increasingly curious about what it would be like to be on the other side of the table—inside a business, rather than advising one. While I had been working in finance law and had exposure to sustainability-related work such as green bonds, I wanted to move closer to execution and understand how businesses are actually built and scaled. I was also becoming more interested in climate and sustainability, and recognised that there were significantly more opportunities in this space in Europe. Business school felt like the right bridge to transition from an advisory role into a more operational and strategic one, while building skills in finance, strategy, and entrepreneurship.
Why HEC Paris? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
HEC Paris stood out for its strong positioning in Europe, its deep ties to the startup ecosystem, and its emphasis on entrepreneurship. Given my interest in transitioning into climate tech, being in Europe—where there is strong momentum around sustainability—was an important factor. I also valued the diversity of the cohort and the flexibility of the program, which allowed me to explore different paths before making a clear post-MBA decision.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career? How has it helped you navigate new challenges, such as AI?
The MBA helped me become much more comfortable with ambiguity and fast-paced decision-making, which is essential in a startup environment. It also gave me a strong foundation in finance, strategy, and operations skills I use regularly in my current role. More broadly, it trained me to learn quickly and adapt. Whether it’s entering new markets, working with evolving technologies, or navigating tools like AI, the ability to approach problems in a structured way and continuously upskill has been invaluable.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
During my MBA, I completed two internships that helped shape my post-MBA direction. The first was with a venture capital firm focused on investing in startups in Africa and the development sector, which exposed me to the early-stage ecosystem. Later, I interned with CarbonFarm towards the end of my MBA, where I was introduced to carbon markets, climate tech, and the practical challenges of building and scaling a business. This made my post-MBA decision quite straightforward, and I chose to continue with CarbonFarm after the internship.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
I chose CarbonFarm because it sits at the intersection of climate impact, technology, and scalable business models. It offered exactly the kind of role I was looking for & one that spans strategy, operations, and fundraising. Equally important were the team and the stage of the company. It was early enough to allow for real ownership and impact, while having a clear vision and strong execution capability. The role has also allowed me to work across geographies, including India and Asia, while being part of an international team. As Chief of Staff, I’ve been closely involved in driving revenue growth and scaling operations, which is exactly the kind of hands-on experience I wanted coming out of my MBA.
Advice to current MBA students
—One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
Be very intentional about targeting roles that align with your long-term trajectory, even if they are less structured or harder to access. The effort compounds over time.
—One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
I would start earlier in building relationships within specific sectors and companies, rather than relying too heavily on formal recruiting channels.
—Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
The process was far more conversational and focused on fit, ownership, and adaptability than on structured assessments. It required a different kind of preparation compared to traditional recruiting.
—What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
Don’t optimise for the “perfect” job on paper—optimise for learning, exposure, and trajectory. Your first role post-MBA is just the starting point.
