MBA Spotllight:

Neil Doshi
MBA Class of 2018

From Strategy at United Airlines…to Investment & Commercial Banking

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• Hometown: Munster, Indiana
• Undergraduate: Indiana University Bloomington – Economics, Chemistry, Liberal Arts & Management Certificate
• Pre-MBA: United Airlines – Strategic Sourcing & Procurement
• Summer Internship: Credit Suisse – Investment Banking Summer Associate
• In-Year Internship: Angeles Equity Partners (Private Equity)
• Post-MBA:
  • Credit Suisse – Investment Banking
  • JPMorgan Chase & Co. – Vice President, Technology & Disruptive Commerce
• Activities @ Anderson:
  • Investment Finance Association – Vice President
  • Travel & Hospitality Club – Vice President
  • Admissions Ambassador Corps – Vice President
  • Fink Center Investment Banking Fellow

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7 QUESTIONS WITH NEIL DOSHI (MBA ’18)

Q1: What career pivot did you make via your MBA?

A: I pivoted from internal strategy at United Airlines to Financial Services. I wanted to start my post-MBA career in investment banking to do a crash course in the hard and soft skills necessary to make a life-long career in finance. I am very grateful for Anderson for allowing me to make such a drastic career change in such a short amount of time.

Q2: What do you wish you know now that you wish you knew as a prospective Anderson MBA student?

A: Your first role after business school will likely be temporary and you want to set yourself up for long term success. The likelihood of you staying at the company you joined immediately post-MBA is slim-to-none. I recommend that you view your first role after Anderson as a stepping stone into the industry you wish to spend your time in for the rest of your career. For me, that was financial services. 

Q3: How has your Anderson experience changed you?

A: UCLA Anderson taught me how to network confidently and effectively. I’ve witnessed first hand the power of networking to progress and navigate through my career. My career path post-Anderson is directly attributable to the networking skills I’ve gained from Anderson (and my Anderson network). Very rarely will one find their next role via a job posting. 

Q4: Why would you recommend Anderson?

A: I’d recommend Anderson for three reasons: (1) access to incredible companies and C-level executives (partially as a function of being in Los Angeles), (2) access to amazing facility, classes and facilities, and (3) access to a supportive and impressive alumni network. Being located in the heart of LA, Anderson gains access to many different industries and industry leaders.

Q5: What is your most favorite Anderson memory and why?

A: My favorite memory of Anderson was Tour de Strand, a large social event in May during alumni weekend. Every year, current students and alumni rent bikes from Santa Monica and bike down the strand for around 13 miles stopping at 5-6 restaurants/bars along the way. The event brings together multiple generations of Anderson alumni while perfect exemplifying the LA lifestyle and culture. I look forward to the weekend every year!

Q6: What activity or hobby did you enjoy most during your MBA years?

A: I actually really enjoyed recruiting for investment banking! My fellow I-banking classmates and I got very close as we saw each other 24/7 during the process. It was also great meeting Anderson alumni in the space and getting to know them. Other than that, I really enjoyed all of the trips I took during my 2 years. I had amazing classmates who took me to see their home countries such as Israel and Colombia. 

Q7: Which class was your favorite at Anderson and why?

A: My favorite class was “Persuasion and Influence” — there are many lessons from that class I still try to apply today. I felt like it was a very interesting and practical class that made me tap into the creative side of my brain to better position certain situations. The class was taught by Noah Goldstein, one of my favorite professors at Anderson.

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