“Growth begins when you step beyond what’s familiar,” says Jaskaran Khatri, who uprooted his life in Punjab to move to Scotland. Enrolling on the Glasgow MBA at Adam Smith Business School led to a new career and a new life. Today he’s a Product Manager for ScottishPower.
Jaskaran feels his roots have been as influential as his studies in accomplishing his goals. “Growing up in a small town keeps you humble. But it also makes you want to prove to yourself that you can go further than your surroundings,” he shares.
Can a study abroad experienced change your life? Jaskaran shares his story here.
Tell us about your background.
I grew up in Roopnagar. My parents believed that education could change the direction of your life. They made sure I never had to worry about anything except studying and building a future for myself.
I’ve always enjoyed storytelling, but there was a practical lens at home. I was good at science and maths, so I chose Computer Science engineering. I began my career as a software engineer.
What was the reason you decided to go to business school?
I saw first-hand how data was influencing strategic decisions.
People connect with stories, whether it’s bedtime stories growing up or boardroom presentations. Data is part of a story. When you present a report to senior leadership, what truly engages them is the narrative behind those numbers.
While I might not be writing novels, I was helping shape business stories. At some point, I felt ready to move from being the person analysing and presenting the data to being the person making the strategic decisions based on it.
What was it about your school and programme that encouraged you to enrol?
The diversity of the MBA cohort – professionals from varied industries and nationalities, with an average work experience of around five-to-seven years. I wanted to learn alongside experienced professionals.
Practical exposure – I wanted to work in the UK and the Glasgow MBA offered business case projects and guest lectures from industry leaders.
Being part of a university with over 500 years of history and a long-standing MBA showed evolution and credibility. Its presence within the Russell Group reinforced that.
Finally, the one-year MBA structure allowed me to step back from my career for a shorter, focused period — which felt like the right balance of risk and opportunity.
What was it like moving to Glasgow? How did you adapt socially and culturally? What helped you find your feet?
I had lived in different cities across India, so relocation wasn’t new, but this was different. One big comfort was that a close friend was already there. Knowing I wasn’t completely alone made a huge difference.
What really helped was the university’s support for international students and the friendships I built. Once you find your circle, a new city slowly starts feeling like home.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced?
The UK style of assignments — especially referencing, citations, and critical analysis — was quite different from what I was used to. I learned from each assignment, and became more comfortable with the structure and expectations.
Working with people from different backgrounds can also be complex. My prior experience in stakeholder management helped — ensuring everyone’s voice was heard and dividing responsibilities clearly. Over time our collaboration improved, and it showed in the quality of our work.
What was the best thing you gained from your studies?
Coming from a consulting background, I was used to solving problems quickly. But I learned to question whether something is truly a problem, to examine it from different lenses, and ask the right questions before jumping to solutions.
The Industry Pathway dissertation allowed me to work directly with a real company to solve an actual business problem. That hands-on exposure was a real strength of the Glasgow MBA.
I also gained a network — not just professional contacts, but meaningful relationships.
Did you study experience change your professional ambitions?
I became more focused on impact — on being in positions where I can influence real business decisions and long-term direction. It shifted my mindset from executing strategy to shaping it.
How did your business school/education support you in realising your ambitions?
The diversity of the cohort created a real-world environment inside the classroom. It constantly pushed me to think sharper and defend my ideas with clarity.
Many of the faculty came with industry experience, so the learning was rooted in real business scenarios.
Beyond lectures, I had the opportunity to represent the Business School in an international business case competition in Canada, exposing me to global standards of strategic thinking, teamwork under pressure, and presenting complex ideas to senior judges.
How has your career progressed since graduating?
I transitioned into the energy industry and into a Product Manager role. Today, I work closely with senior leadership and key business stakeholders, aligning technology with long-term business objectives.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
With the pace at which AI is transforming industries, sometimes I joke that I just hope to still have a job in five years!
I’ve consciously chosen the path of product strategy. In the next five years, I see myself leading a significant product or strategy function — owning direction, influencing business outcomes, and mentoring teams. Longer term, my ambition is to move toward executive leadership.
What advice would you give to others who are considering studying an MBA overseas?
The MBA gives you tools, exposure, and networks, but it’s up to you to use them intentionally. If I could go back, I would spend more time speaking with alumni and seniors before starting the programme, to refine my direction. Adam Smith offers plenty of opportunities, but you have to take initiative and make them count.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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