by Astha Kalbag, MBA2026
At London Business School, one of the most valuable lessons has been learning how to think intentionally about career choices, not just in terms of roles or industries, but in terms of strengths, environments, and long-term trajectory. Through a mix of classroom learning and personal experimentation, I’ve started to get clearer on who I am, what I value, and the kind of career I want to build, thus shaping 3 key principles that now guide my journey.
1. Focus on core competencies
Learning from my Strategy class
The key takeaway here is the importance of identifying your core capabilities—what you enjoy and what you are naturally good at. For me, that includes working in fast-paced environments, collaborating with a diverse set of people, and thriving in ambiguity. There is often a lot of noise that can make certain careers feel more attractive or “glamorous” than they actually are. I’ve realized that it’s far more important to operate from a place of strength and align your aspirations with environments and cultures where you can truly excel.
2. Expand the career frontier
Learning from my Asset Management class
This idea is about thinking of your career as a curve and actively working to expand it. The goal is to increase your “return” by investing time and energy into experiences that push you beyond your comfort zone.
For me, this meant launching my podcast, Europe on the Bull, where I feature some of the most innovative startups in the European ecosystem. It has helped me build strong entry points into conversations with industry leaders and potential employers, while also enabling me to bring in speakers for an AI series I’m running in collaboration with the Private Equity & Venture Capital Club.
3. Become the broker
Learning from my Leading Teams and Organisations class
In a network-driven world, value comes not just from who you know, but from how you connect with people. Becoming a “broker” means building network centrality, thus bringing the right people together in ways that create mutual value.
Tools like LinkedIn make it easier than ever to understand people’s trajectories and interests. Combined with in-person interactions, this creates powerful opportunities to build meaningful relationships.
At LBS, I’ve leaned into this by hosting events from Diwali celebrations to picnics in Regent’s Park. I enjoy bringing people together across different groups. Over time, I hope this deliberate approach helps me become someone who connects, cares, enables, and creates value.
In conclusion, what stands out to me is that careers are rarely linear. In fact, they are shaped by small, intentional choices and the people you learn from along the way. For me, this experience has been about getting clearer on where I do my best work and the kind of environments that bring that out.
As I look ahead, I find myself drawn to growth and go-to-market roles within native AI companies in organisations that are fast-moving, ambiguous, and collaborative. This feels like a natural extension of the strengths I’ve been building and where I can truly bring the best of myself every single day.
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Student Bio:
Astha Kalbag is an MBA candidate at London Business School with over eight years of experience across Google, Meta, Uber, and Skyscanner, where she has built and scaled growth and go-to-market strategies across global markets.
She is particularly interested in the intersection of AI, product, and GTM, and enjoys experimenting with building AI-driven applications. Most recently, she created KahaniTime on Lovable, a bedtime storytelling app designed for children reflecting her passion for using AI in creative, everyday contexts.
Astha is excited about the role of AI-native companies and is keen to work in growth and GTM roles where she can help translate cutting-edge technology into real-world impact. She believes deeply in the transformative potential of AI and is very bullish about the positive role it will play in our society.