In today’s Real Humans: Alumni, we meet Nishant Nair, a Senior Strategy & Operations Manager at Uber. His father, who pursued multiple masters degrees while working full-time, was an inspiring role model, and Nair decided an MBA was the best way for him to grow professionally. He chose the London Business School partly due to its truly global program, experiential learning model, and location in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. Read on to discover how LBS’s MBA program helped Nair appreciate diverse perspectives, meet new people and enjoy new places in the program, and learn to adapt in a rapidly changing business environment.
Nishant Nair, London Business School MBA ’22, Senior Strategy & Operations Manager at Uber
Age: 30
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Undergraduate Institution and Major: St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai University
Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: London Business School, 2022.
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Associate, Bain & Company, 3 years, Management Consulting; Chief of Staff/ Senior Associate, Dasra, 3 years, Non-profit Consulting and Philanthropic Advisory; Consultant, TechnoServe, 6 months, Non-profit (Agriculture) Consulting
Post-MBA Work Experience: Senior Strategy & Operations Manager, Uber, August 2022 to Present, Technology
Why did you choose to attend business school?
My father’s dedication to securing multiple master’s degrees while holding down a full-time job really stuck with me – so, when it came time for me to think about my own path, pursuing an MBA seemed like the perfect way to broaden my horizons, both personally and professionally.
After six years in advisory roles, I was itching for a change — something where I could have more skin in the game and really drive impact firsthand. That’s where the allure of a renowned business school program came in. What better way to learn than alongside accomplished people from all over the world, bringing their own unique perspectives to the table.
I wanted to build a global network, gain academic credibility, and dive headfirst into new experiences that would help me successfully navigate an exciting new career path.
Why LBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
LBS stood out to me for several reasons. First off, its commitment to creating a truly global experience clicked with me because I genuinely believe that diverse perspectives greatly enrich the learning experience. When you’ve got classmates from all over the world, it not only fosters richer discussions but also pushes personal boundaries – a dynamic that is often lacking in many US business schools.
Additionally, LBS’s emphasis on experiential learning was particularly appealing. From London CAP and Impact Consulting projects to the Global Experience, you’re not just sitting in a classroom all day. You’re getting a unique opportunity to learn by doing.
What really sealed the deal for me was London. The city itself is like a melting pot of cultures, just like LBS. There’s always something new to discover, whether it’s the diverse cultural events and live music gigs or just soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. And as a Chelsea fan, I was absolutely thrilled at the prospect of being able to watch my team play at Stamford Bridge.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career?
My MBA journey has been instrumental for my career in more ways than one. Firstly, it’s helped me become more aware of my own biases. Thanks to my time at LBS, I’ve learned to spot them and approach decisions with a more open mind. It’s made me appreciate diverse perspectives even more because, let’s face it, we reach better outcomes when we bring different ideas to the table.
My time at business school definitely helped me figure out what I’m really good at. Armed with this self-awareness, I’ve been able to play to my strengths and work on areas where I could improve. Of course, nobody’s perfect, but knowing where you stand makes all the difference.
It may sound clichéd, but one of the coolest things about my MBA experience was the people I met and the places I got to explore. Learning from classmates with diverse backgrounds and travelling the world together taught me the value of collaboration and building relationships — and it was loads of fun!
Lastly, the Tech industry can be pretty unpredictable, but after going to business school during a pandemic, you learn to roll with the punches. It’s okay not to have all the answers — in most instances, it’s about asking the right questions and figuring things out as you go along. That adaptability has been key as I’ve navigated my way through the tech world.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice of Uber?
During my time at business school, I had the chance to dive into two interesting internships that shaped my career path.
The first one was with Helios, a mental health tech startup. I worked as a Product Strategy Lead. We were at the early stages of developing a Software as a service (SaaS)-based mental health platform for kids and teens that we planned to pitch to the NHS. My role was all about crafting the product strategy, collaborating across teams, and figuring out how to make our product stand out in the market. It was a really hands-on experience that I hadn’t had before, and it opened my eyes to the world of tech startups.
Then, over the summer, I landed an internship with ServiceNow, a large player in the B2B SaaS space. I joined their Corporate Strategy team and got to learn how an internal strategy team works in a larger, more established company. I had the opportunity to work on shaping the company’s public sector go-to-market strategy as well as restructuring their partner sales ecosystem in EMEA. However, as much as I enjoyed it, I realised I wanted something with a bit more variety and hands-on involvement.
The two internships helped me see that I wanted to head into a role that bridged the gap between tech and business operations. I found myself drawn to roles like Strategy and Operations and Sales Operations, where I could leverage my consulting background while still driving operational change. I was largely sector-agnostic but more focused on finding that sweet spot where I could make a real impact while constantly learning and evolving. And thanks to those internships, I was able to steer my career in that direction.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
I chose Uber because it felt like the perfect fit for me in so many ways.
To begin with, the people are amazing. Everyone I met with – as part of the interview process as well as during my research – was not just smart, but also down-to-earth and friendly. It’s a place where you can be yourself and feel like you belong. This authenticity and likability is evident across the board, from leadership to peers.
Despite its scale, Uber maintains a collaborative culture that encourages curiosity and fosters professional development opportunities, aligning perfectly with my values and long-term career aspirations.
Then there’s the innovation. Uber is all about pushing the boundaries and coming up with new ideas. I love that they’re constantly thinking about how to make things better for users. Uber is on a mission to become the ultimate last-mile delivery solution – from people to food and everything in between – being part of that exciting journey was an opportunity I did not want to miss.
Advice to current MBA students:
One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
Mindful Networking – Rather than simply reaching out to people for the sake of networking, I focused on understanding each company better and identifying opportunities that best suited my skills and aspirations. Building genuine connections and learning about potential roles from insiders proved invaluable in making informed decisions throughout the job search process.
One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
Explore More – Looking back, I wish I had pursued more in-term internships during my MBA. Working at startups across various industries and growth stages would have provided me with a richer understanding of tech recruitment and widened my network. Since these internships aren’t dependent on immediate outcomes, I could have explored with a more open mind and experimental spirit.
Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
There weren’t any surprises, not really. I made sure I spoke to a few people in the company beforehand to get a sense of what to expect. Their insights were super helpful and made me feel ready to tackle the process.
What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
Just Keep Swimming – It’s easy to feel like you’re not good enough after a few setbacks. But instead of letting imposter syndrome take over, I’d remind myself that it’s normal to face rejection and focus on staying confident. Setting realistic timelines and staying determined is key. It’s all about bouncing back and keeping your chin up!
