Diving Into ISB: My Journey From a Swimmer to an Aspiring Banker

The pool looked deep. I was in fourth grade, standing at the edge of the diving platform during my first state-level swim meet, terrified. My heart raced as I prepared to compete in the butterfly stroke. Just then, my sister leaned in and said, “Imagine there’s a shark chasing you and swim as fast as you can!”

I took her advice, dove in, and ended up breaking the record that day.

Swimming was never something I planned to pursue seriously. Back in second grade, when I had to choose between basketball and swimming at my boarding school, I picked swimming just to fit in. Little did I know that this choice would go on to define a large part of my life.

By the time I was in high school, I was competing nationally through ICSE, ISC, and Swimming Federation events. But even with all the success, there was always a sense of curiosity about my possibilities. I wanted to explore who I was beyond the pool.

When the pandemic brought the world to a halt, it unexpectedly gave me time to pause and reflect. That reflection nudged me to think seriously about business school, which eventually led me to ISB.

Making the Turn: From Athlete to Purpose-Driven Professional

For over ten years, I was ‘the swimmer’ in my circle, someone defined by training hours and competition results. But as I neared the end of college, where I studied Accounting and Finance in Mumbai and completed my CFA, I realised I wanted to expand my identity. I grew curious about how I could channel the discipline and strategic thinking from sports into a meaningful career.

After graduation, I worked at a startup in Bangalore focused on investment banking platforms and then at a boutique investment bank in Delhi. These roles gave me a valuable window into the finance world and exposed me to exciting challenges.

Still, I felt the need for a stronger platform to sharpen my skills, broaden my perspectives, and connect with a community of like-minded professionals. ISB’s one-year PGP offered the fast-paced, rigorous, and collaborative environment I was seeking, and currently, I am experiencing all of that and more.

Finding My Lane: Why ISB Was the Right Pool

My undergraduate experience was intense but often felt transactional. I missed a deeper, collaborative academic culture. At ISB, I’ve found a diverse cohort made up of people from varied backgrounds, industries, and countries, all pushing each other to grow. The environment challenges me intellectually while fostering kindness and support.

What stands out most is how quickly you become part of a community that values sharing knowledge and experiences. Whether during late-night study sessions or casual chai conversations, every interaction offers an opportunity to learn and grow. 

This community has helped me uncover new facets of myself and build confidence beyond my identity as an athlete. After years of being ‘The swimmer,’ I am now learning to see myself as a finance professional, a leader, and a lifelong learner.

Lessons From the Pool: Focus, Resilience, and Personal Growth

Swimming taught me invaluable lessons that continue to guide me at ISB. One of the most important things is focusing on my own lane. In the pool, you race against the clock, not against other swimmers. This mindset is crucial in business school, where it is easy to get distracted by comparisons.

At ISB, I measure success by my own growth, whether it is grasping a difficult concept more deeply, staying calm during stressful group assignments, or managing my time effectively. The discipline, mental clarity, and resilience forged over years of training help me face academic and personal challenges with calm and confidence.

ISB has also taught me to embrace uncertainty and stay open to new experiences. I have learned that setbacks and failures are part of growth, and that curiosity and persistence are key to building a meaningful career.

The Next Lap: Swimming Towards Purpose and Possibility

As I continue my journey at ISB, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. My current focus is on finance, especially investment banking and venture capital, essentially fields that demand analytical rigour and strategic thinking. I look forward to diving deeper into electives such as valuations, financial modelling, and strategy to build the technical skills necessary for these roles.

Beyond academics, I am eager to continue participating in sports events, club activities, and campus initiatives that enrich the ISB experience. These moments of connection and learning are an important part of my journey.

Most importantly, ISB is helping me understand that a career is not just about a job or title. It is about aligning work with values, strengths, and passions. This ongoing transformation, from seeing myself only as an athlete to embracing a broader identity as a purpose-driven professional, has been the most rewarding part of my journey so far.

Synopsis:

Mehr Seth, a member of ISB’s PGP Class of 2025, is currently charting her transition from national-level competitive swimmer to aspiring finance professional. With over a decade of athletic discipline and a strong academic foundation in finance, Mehr shares how ISB’s rigorous and collaborative environment is helping her reshape her ambitions. Her journey from the swimming pool to the business school classroom speaks volumes about her deep-rooted drive to grow, push limits, and embrace new challenges as she prepares for a career in investment banking and beyond.