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Networking for success with Abhishek Gulati
How capitalising on UCL’s extensive network helped Abhishek Gulati (UCL Management MSc 2018) navigate a diverse career, from the luxury industry to career coaching and the EdTech sector.
1 December 2024
UCL first came onto Abhishek’s radar while he was studying abroad in London. He was an Accounting, Commerce and Finance undergraduate student at Amity University in India, spending a semester in London.
He decided he wanted to remain in London. “London instantly felt like my city, like my home” he explains. He relished the truly cosmopolitan nature of the place. “In London, you walk 10 steps, and you hear 10 languages. I've lived in many different places, and I’ve never found that anywhere else.”
As he explored his options for a Master's degree, he set his sights on UCL, having made friends with students from the university and been inspired by the knowledge that it was the alma mater of his favourite band, Coldplay. “Somehow, something felt right about UCL,” Abhishek says.
Aspiring to a career in managerial and leadership roles, UCL's Management MSc programme, studying the Corporate pathway, seemed like the perfect fit. He was eager to expand his knowledge in management, strategy and finance, which could equip him with strong foundations for a future career.
What clinched the decision for Abhishek was discovering that UCL graduates were working for key players in the luxury industry, such as LVMH, where Abishek aspired to work. “I thought if others from UCL had made it into these companies, maybe I could too.”
Studying at the UCL School of Management
Abhishek’s Master’s at UCL led him to a role at Tiffany & Co. in London as a Retail Operations Specialist. In this position, he applied the diverse skills and knowledge gained from his degree, including leadership, strategic decision-making and marketing, working across various brand functions, from trend forecasting to event curation.
He believes studying in Canary Wharf, one of the world’s foremost financial and business centres, was key to securing the graduate job he desired, thanks to the networks it facilitated. Being a student on level 38 of One Canada Square, home to the UCL School of Management, offered unique networking opportunities with top companies, professionals and industry leaders. These connections helped him expand his business knowledge and opened doors to internships, such as one with the Italian luxury fashion house TOD’S.
“Studying in the same building as partners and directors of leading companies was very unique. I was able to apply for internships and jobs and build my CV through the networks and connections I’d created.” says Abhishek.
Abhishek at his graduation ceremony, 2019.
Curating careers
After working at Tiffany's, Abhishek returned to India and was quickly hired by Gucci. However, he soon felt it wasn’t quite the right fit for him.
The founder of Mindler, a growing EdTech start-up, based in India and the Middle East, approached him to join the team. Mindler is a career guidance platform helping students and professionals discover their ideal career paths, universities and courses.
In his free time, Abhishek had been sharing his experience of studying in the UK on his own social media channels, offering guidance on career and university applications. This opportunity at Mindler felt like the right path forward.
Nearly six years later, Abhishek is now Assistant Vice-President of Global Education and Strategy at Mindler and a career coach. "I’ve fallen in love with the education and careers sectors. It's incredibly rewarding to help someone find their path. For example, when a student calls to share that they've been accepted into a top school, it makes me happy to know I played a part in that."
Looking ahead, Abhishek says, "Ultimately, I want to contribute to education policy, especially in a country like India, where literacy still has some way to go. I believe the right policies can drive meaningful social change."
Abhishek leading a Mindler session at a school's career counselling event.
Never one to sit still (he admits to having “ the curiosity bug!”), Abhishek is also a visiting lecturer on luxury branding for MBA students at a university in India, a consultant for EdTech start-ups on growth strategy, and a co-founder of Talent Lab, a talent development platform for professionals aspiring to enter the competitive worlds of luxury, PR and marketing.
With every new professional door, networking has been the key that opens it. "All my roles have been secured through consistent and deliberate networking. I always think, at least in my sector, a degree can get you to the employer, but it’s your network that gets you ahead," he says.
This commitment to networking was rooted in a strong sense of purpose instilled at UCL. "I understood at UCL that to make the most of this opportunity, I had to leverage my degree with purpose. Someone else missed out on a place so I could be here, so I better make it worth it!".
Staying connected to UCL
Abhishek has continued to make the most of the networking opportunities within the UCL community, as a volunteer for the UCL Alumni India Network. In November 2024, he attended all three UCL alumni receptions in India, which took place in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai.
In addition to making new friends from different faculties and study paths at UCL, Abhishek believes it's important to stay connected for the wealth and diversity of talent and expertise the community offers. “If I’m working on a new project or building something, I turn to fellow alumni because I trust the community,” he says. “For example, at a recent event, I met a fellow UCL alum, working in an entirely different field, and now we’re working together on an exciting project.”
Abhishek alongside fellow alumni and UCL staff at the UCL alumni reception in Delhi, November 2024.
Another key aspect of this is Abhishek's desire to give back. Along with staying connected to his fellow alumni, he has volunteered at open days and career fairs, sharing his experiences and journey with prospective students.
"Mentoring and advice from the alumni community really helped me when I was finding my way at UCL. Alumni provided valuable insights, which helped me learn and grow.”
For Abhishek, it has been a journey through different sectors and countries, but UCL has remained a constant throughout, both during his time as a student and now as an alum.
Looking to connect with alumni near you?
From Delhi to London, UCL alumni are based across the world. If you want to connect with other alumni in your region, visit our alumni groups page.
