From Atoms to Ambition: My Journey to ISB

For over a decade, my world revolved around precision, public service, and prototypes. As a Scientific Officer at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), I spent 12 years navigating the highly specialised corridors of India’s nuclear energy sector. I began as an individual contributor, building indigenous nuclear process sensors for reactor applications and even airport security. Over time, and with a fast-track promotion, I found myself leading cross-organisational teams, managing design, manufacturing, and testing cycles for high-stakes national projects.

The work was meaningful and challenging. But at some point, I began to feel the limitations of the domain. It was niche, and the private sector didn’t offer a clear path forward for someone with my background.

I wasn’t just looking for another job. I was looking to pivot.

I wanted to take my experience and my analytical problem-solving mindset and apply them to challenges across industries. That’s when the idea of pursuing ISB’s PGP started taking shape in my mind. It didn’t feel like just another degree, but a platform that could enable that transition.

ISB: A Leap, Not a Break

I chose ISB for its diversity of thought, experience, and ambition. I knew that being in a fast-paced business environment, surrounded by a younger and dynamic cohort, would push me out of my comfort zone. And that is exactly what it has done.

The first few weeks were intense. The shift from a government setup to terms packed with Accounting, Finance, Strategy, and Economics was overwhelming at times. But it was also refreshing. For someone used to long-term project planning, the ROI-focused and metrics-driven language of business offered a completely new lens.

I have started looking at problems not just through the lens of mission alignment but also in terms of financial viability, opportunity cost, and strategic value.

One experience that stood out for me was the LSAT (Leading Self and Teams) course. In-class behavioural experiments revealed how even logical, engineering-driven professionals like me can be influenced by unconscious biases. It made me rethink how I lead, how I assess situations, and how I work with others.

The Power of People: Lessons Beyond the Lecture Hall

But ISB has been about much more than academics. It is also about unlearning. Sitting next to a 26-year-old fintech consultant one day and a doctor-turned-strategist the next has taught me how much there is to learn outside the classroom. Leadership here is not about experience or hierarchy. It is about adaptability, empathy, and the ability to work with people who think differently.

As President of the Senior Executives Club, I have had the opportunity to work with peers from incredibly diverse backgrounds, from ISRO scientists to aviation professionals. Each conversation brings new perspectives and helps me challenge my own assumptions.

Living on campus has added another dimension to the experience. Leaving my wife and young daughter behind for the year was not an easy decision, but I knew that being fully present here was the only way to make this journey count. Late-night debates, spontaneous discussions, and moments of shared struggle with my peers have shaped my thinking more than I expected.

Looking Ahead: Redefining What’s Possible

As I look ahead, I see myself moving into roles that sit at the intersection of technical depth and business strategy. I am particularly interested in strategic transformation, the CEO’s Office roles, or corporate planning. These are spaces where my experience with systems thinking, cross-functional leadership, and long-term planning can be of real value.

What ISB is helping me do is not just pivot careers. It is helping me redefine what is possible. I no longer see myself only as an engineer or a public servant. I now see myself as someone who can drive impact across industries. The frameworks, the friendships, and the awareness I am building here are already shaping how I approach problems and how I see my future.

Synopsis:

Rahul Arya, currently pursuing the PGP at ISB (Class of 2026), spent 12 years at BARC leading critical national projects in the nuclear engineering space. Now at ISB, he is looking to pivot into strategic business roles that allow him to apply his deep technical expertise in broader, cross-industry contexts. His journey aims to reflect a grounded and thoughtful transition, driven by curiosity, clarity, and a desire to evolve.