Engineering the Future: Why This JPMorgan Developer Chose BITSoM for Her MBA Journey

Shreya Maheshwari grew up in Kota, Rajasthan, where she completed her schooling and later pursued a degree in Computer Science engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu. Before joining BITSoM, she spent nearly three years working as a Software Engineer at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Bangalore. Outside of academics and work, she has a love for travelling, capturing nature through photography, and unwinding with music or attending live concerts. 

Q1. How did you choose your course of study in school (class XI-XII)? What made you choose your current college/course (undergrad/post-grad)? 

I have always been a fairly studious student throughout my school years. Growing up, I enjoyed learning new things and naturally developed an interest in academics. With my father being an engineer, I was exposed to the field early on, which influenced my inclination toward science. In Class 10, both my teachers and parents suggested that I take up the Science stream, and the decision felt quite natural to me. 

Being from Kota, it was almost inevitable to enter the JEE preparation phase. During Classes 11 and 12, I prepared for JEE Main and Advanced alongside my board examinations. While choosing Science was a straightforward decision, selecting my undergraduate college and later my postgraduate path required much deeper thought. 

After completing my engineering degree and spending close to three years working as a Software Engineer at JPMorgan Chase & Co., I began reflecting on my long-term career goals. I realised that I wanted to broaden my perspective beyond technology and gain a stronger understanding of business and leadership. This motivated me to take the GMAT in October 2024 and explore MBA programs.

I had been researching MBA schools for nearly a year, and BITSoM stood out early in my search. I explored the website in detail, attended webinars, and engaged in coffee chats to understand whether the school aligned with my goals. Over time, I felt a strong connection with BITSoM’s values and its BITS Pilani legacy. What stood out to me was the presence of rockstar faculty from leading B-schools across the world, combined with industry-focused learning, WaW (Winning at the Workplace) courses, and hands-on live projects. The beautiful residential campus and a close-knit cohort made the experience feel even more compelling. These factors together made BITSoM feel like the right fit for me. 

Q2. How did you crack admission in your current college? What entrance test(s) did you give? Any coaching classes that you took for preparation? Any other colleges that you were trying out for? What challenges did you face while opting for this college? 

 The admission process to BITSoM was a well-planned and structured journey for me. I appeared for the GMAT in October 2024 after preparing for around six months. For my preparation, I enrolled in a self-paced GMAT course offered by Top One Percent with Sandeep Gupta being the instructor, which helped me stay consistent while managing my work schedule.

I applied to BITSoM in Round 1, with the application deadline being 16th November. After submitting my application, I received an interview call scheduled for 13th December. The interview experience was smooth, well-organised, and conversational, which helped me feel comfortable throughout the process. I received my offer letter on 6th January, which marked the end of a long but fulfilling journey. I even received a 40% merit scholarship on my tuition fee for the first year of school. Alongside BITSoM, I also applied to ISB, although I was not able to convert that opportunity. Despite this, I remained clear about my goals and continued evaluating what kind of MBA experience I truly wanted.

One of the main challenges I faced while considering BITSoM was that it is a relatively young MBA school. At the time of my application, only three batches had graduated, and I would be joining the fifth cohort. Initially, this made me slightly hesitant. However, I also saw this as an opportunity. Being part of a growing institution meant there was room to contribute, take ownership, and be involved in shaping the culture of the school.

What truly convinced me was BITSoM’s new-age curriculum, strong faculty, industry exposure, and the overall learning environment. Looking back, the entire process felt transparent, professional, and aligned with what I was seeking from my MBA journey. 

Q3.How do you spend your time at college? Which classes do you like to attend? Which extra-curricular activities are you a part of in college? If you had the opportunity, what other academic or co-curricular pursuits would you like to take up? How has your college experience changed you as a person? What opportunities do you see in future? 

A typical day at BITSoM starts early for me. I usually begin my day with breakfast around 9 AM and head to classes. Most days include two to three lectures, with breaks in between for lunch and snacks. If a particular block has more than two courses, we often head back to the academic block for an additional class later in the day. 

Beyond academics, my schedule is filled with activities that make campus life lively and engaging. I serve as the Joint Secretary of the Product Management Club, where I work with the team on upcoming events, the PM handbook, and the case competition. I am also a core member of the fest’s operations team, which involves regular planning meetings and coordination work. Being in my first year, I am exposed to a wide range of subjects, including marketing, operations, strategy, and finance, which has helped me develop a more holistic understanding of business. 

Some of my favourite learning experiences so far have been the Negotiation Analysis course by Professor Abhijeet Vadera from SMU and the Winning at the Workplace course on Business Presentation Skills. These courses have helped me become more confident, improve my communication, and feel more comfortable speaking in front of large groups. 

Campus life at BITSoM is equally vibrant outside the classroom. I actively participate in events organised by both professional and cultural clubs, from winning inter-section dance face-offs to taking part in festive celebrations held throughout the year. I also make time for fitness by going to the gym a few times a week and playing badminton or pickleball whenever possible. Additionally, I help MBA aspirants from the Class of 2028 by conducting profile evaluations and guiding them through the BITSoM application process. One of my most memorable moments was performing at a jam night with friends, even though singing is not my strongest skill. If I had the opportunity, I would probably want to learn to play Volleyball and participate in more case competitions, especially the ones that involve building tech-enabled products.  

Overall, BITSoM has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Over the last few months, I have become more confident, improved my public speaking, and learned how to manage time effectively while balancing academics and extracurricular commitments. I now find myself applying classroom concepts to real-life situations, whether it is understanding marketing campaigns or analysing business decisions. Looking ahead, I see strong opportunities to build my career in consulting and eventually transition into a Product Manager role in the tech industry. 

Q4. What are your long-term professional aspirations?

I will be interning at McKinsey in 2026 as a Summer Associate, and in the short term, I aim to build my career in the consulting domain. Consulting appeals to me as it offers strong problem-solving exposure across different industries. In the long run, I plan to transition into a Product Manager role in the tech industry. With my background as a software developer, I enjoy building technology-driven solutions. My goal is to work on scalable products that create real value for users.

About Author: Shreya Maheshwari is currently pursuing her MBA from BITSoM.