From Developer to Decision-Maker: My ISB Story

Even before I set foot in ISB, four years at Boeing had already shaped my journey with curiosity, impact and growth. I started as a front-end engineer and soon took on a full-stack role, leading the end-to-end development of an analytics dashboard to simplify decision-making and a data-driven diagramming application built on knowledge graphs.

Beyond my core responsibilities, I mentored young women through the NGO 'Mentor Together' and served as secretary of my Rotaract Club, organising donation drives, workshops and community engagement programmes. Even with these experiences, I realised that delivering high-impact tools was only part of the equation.

To create strategic, scalable business outcomes, I needed formal training in core business disciplines. ISB’s one-year PGP, with its rigorous curriculum, diverse cohort and industry alignment, felt like the perfect bridge between my technical expertise and broader leadership aspirations.

Transformation in the Classroom: Navigating Ambiguity and Building Frameworks

The first two terms at ISB have fundamentally reshaped how I approach ambiguity and problem-solving. Coming from a binary technology environment, I have learned to operate in the grey areas of business, balancing trade-offs, stakeholder perspectives and long-term vision alongside execution.

Courses such as Decision Models and Marketing introduced structured frameworks infused with empathy. I now prioritise asking the right questions over rushing to solutions. Leadership is about creating trust, making space for diverse inputs and making clear decisions under pressure.

One of the most transformative moments came during Financial Accounting. Initially daunted by unfamiliar concepts, I engaged deeply with the material and began to appreciate how financial statements provide a structured lens to evaluate business health and support decision-making. 

This journey from uncertainty to mastery reinforced my belief that stepping into the unknown fosters meaningful growth. It also gave me the confidence to tackle complex challenges with curiosity and persistence.

I regularly apply Marketing’s 3 Cs and 4 Ps to analyse customer-centric innovation, while Porter’s Five Forces and the VRIO framework help me evaluate business ideas. These tools provide clarity and confidence to assess strategic challenges and will guide me in future roles.

Collaboration and Leadership: Learning From Peers and Shaping Communities

Working alongside peers from industries as varied as healthcare, manufacturing, public policy and the armed forces has broadened my perspective. In-class case discussions benefit from this diversity of thought, while casual debates and late-night preparation sessions become rich learning moments. I have realised that there is rarely one right answer and that real impact often emerges at the intersection of different fields and ways of thinking.

Balancing academics with engagement is a moving target. Each term sharpens my time-management skills, from pre-reads and assignments to club events. Often, my only respite is a walk to the Learning Resource Centre with a cold coffee in hand. Despite the chaos, constant engagement energises me and contributes to my growth.

As President of the Radio Club and an active member of several student organisations, I focus on creating spaces for voices to be heard through initiatives such as Cohort Chronicles, Professor interviews and late-night Chai Pe Charcha sessions. These experiences have deepened my empathy, strengthened my communication skills and reminded me that leadership often means amplifying others rather than centring oneself.

ISB’s fully residential model has also enriched my journey. From pre-dawn walks spotting peacocks to floodlit sports matches and cohort parties, every interaction blends academic rigour with personal connection. It is in these moments, whether laughter or quiet reflection, that ISB truly begins to feel like home.

Preparing for Impact: Advice and Evolving Self-Perception

My ISB story began long before campus. By my second year as a software developer, I knew PGP was the bridge I needed, and ISB, with its global reputation and strong alumni network, was always the dream.

I treated my aspiration like a high-stakes project. I took on challenging assignments at work, contributed meaningfully outside work, stepped into leadership opportunities and strengthened both technical and people skills. Each step was about genuinely growing into the kind of candidate and leader ISB looks for.

The GMAT became another milestone, testing patience, persistence and self-belief. I connected with alumni, researched the programme deeply and reflected on questions that mattered like ‘why ISB’, ‘why now’ and ‘what I would bring to this community’. 

By the time Round 1 applications opened, I felt ready not just on paper but in mindset and clarity of purpose. Hitting submit felt like launching the most important build of my life.
To those preparing now, I advise trusting the process, setting milestones and recognising that every small effort compounds. Round 1 is not just about applying early but about applying prepared.

Through active participation at ISB, I have realised that I bring clarity, structure and calm to high-pressure situations. The programme has empowered me to step forward confidently, speak up and own my space in any room.

Armed with ISB’s frameworks, collaborative insights and a refined leadership approach, I now envision driving thoughtful, people-centric solutions in consulting, product strategy or social impact roles after graduation. 

My journey at ISB is equipping me to transform from a skilled technologist into a strategic leader capable of creating impact at scale.

Synopsis

Ishita Kapoor, PGP Class of 2026, reflects on her journey from Software Developer at Boeing to emerging strategic leader at ISB. Through rigorous academics, diverse cohort collaboration and club engagement, she has strengthened her leadership, problem-solving and analytical skills while discovering the courage to drive meaningful, scalable impact