Guru’s leap: From growth at SOIL to impact at McKinsey

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Guru’s Inspiring journey from SOIL to a successful leader at McKinsey

14 Feb 2025
- admin
Guru Gopal Asthana, an alumnus of SOIL Institute of Management’s Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM), transformed his career after completing the rigorous one-year program in 2016-2017. His journey from a student to a solution specialist at McKinsey & Company has been one of determination and growth.

Guru chose SOIL because he wanted a one-year program that would minimise the opportunity cost of not working for two years. Located in Gurgaon, the institute also provided proximity to many corporate opportunities, making it an ideal choice for him. The curriculum was unique. It had design thinking, real-world projects, and a strong industry focus. The faculty included top professors, some even from IIT Delhi.

His time at SOIL was intense. The studies were rigorous, but the experience was rewarding. One of the best parts was a trip to Sidhbari, where students applied design thinking principles in real-world settings. It was hands-on learning, something that set SOIL apart from other programs.

The experience was great. It was one year of rigorous studies. The curriculum was industry-relevant, hence, so different from normal colleges. We had design thinking classes. We had a trip to Sidhbari where we did our design thinking. That was another great experience. Apart from that, worldclass faculty tought at SOIL, some of them also taught at IIT Delhi. To get knowledge, it’s important to know who’s teaching you, and the material that you are taking in during that one year, and I think in that respect, SOIL was great, making it an amazing experience.

After completing the program, he joined AuthBridge, a company that visited SOIL for campus placements. It was a young company, operating with a startup-like culture. At AuthBridge, he wore many hats. He worked in marketing, sales, operations, and even product management. He got to apply what he had learned in his MBA, turning theories into action. It was a great experience, preparing him for the next step in his career.

Three years later, Guru wanted more challenges. He applied for an opening at McKinsey & Company, one of the top consulting firms in the world. The interview process was tough, but he made it through. He joined McKinsey as a Solution Specialist and has now been part of the firm for almost five years.

McKinsey works with clients across industries. Their clients include pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organisations, retailers, and even government agencies. The firm helps businesses solve complex problems and improve their operations. Guru works in the marketing and sales vertical. His job is to help companies optimise their marketing strategies.

As a Solution Specialist, Guru plays a key role in delivering McKinsey’s solutions to clients. His role is similar to a product manager. He leads a specific solution, ensuring that clients understand its value. He works with different teams-developers, technical experts, testers, and data analysts. The data team is especially important. They clean and manipulate data, extracting insights that drive business decisions. Guru ensures that client needs are met, deadlines are followed, and solutions add real value.

The goal is simple-make the client’s job easier. The solutions should save time and improve efficiency. If clients can do their work faster and better, then Guru’s job is done right.

His experience at SOIL prepared him well for his current role. The MBA program was not just about books and exams. It was about real-world learning, teamwork, and leadership. The faculty played a crucial role in shaping his thinking. The focus on industry-relevant skills helped him transition smoothly into the corporate world.

For aspiring management students, Guru has some valuable advice. First, be clear about your interest areas. An MBA covers many subjects-finance, marketing, operations, and more. But not everything will be your strength. Identify what excites you and focus on that. Having clarity helps in setting goals and making the most of the MBA journey.

Second, be an active participant. Don’t just attend classes-engage in everything. Participate in seminars, speeches, and cultural events. Volunteer for presentations. Take leadership roles in group projects. These activities help develop soft skills-communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

This is the place that gives you an opportunity to learn how to interact with people that you’ve never met. It also gives you leadership skills, not just leading a team but leading yourself also.

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Guru’s journey from SOIL to McKinsey is inspiring. It shows how the right education, combined with dedication and smart choices, can lead to incredible career opportunities. His story is proof that with the right mindset and skills, one can achieve great success in the corporate world.