“The thought of living life in pursuit of comfort makes me uncomfortable.”
We’re excited to announce the launch of Between Two Classes, an interview series where we explore how HBS classmates see the world, and why.
Our first interview is with Adi Prasad (MBA ’25). Adi grew up in India and attended Manipal Institute of Technology for his undergraduate studies, where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. Adi then pursued a Masters in Engineering at MIT, with a focus on Advanced Manufacturing and Design. After MIT, Adi worked in manufacturing and operations roles at numerous iconic companies in Silicon Valley such as Apple, Tesla, and Rivian. After HBS, Adi aspires to become an entrepreneur in climate technology and clean energy.
What impact has your childhood had on the person you are today?
Prasad: I was born in a state called Jharkhand in India, which was not very developed at the time. The 90s were a tumultuous period for India as the economy was just opening up. I grew up in an environment marked by scarce resources, fostering a zero-sum-game mindset where everyone competed for limited resources. However, there were positives to that too: it taught me resourcefulness, perseverance, and the value of hard work.
Transitioning to the U.S. for college at MIT, I found myself in an environment that felt more like a positive-sum game. It was here that I realized wealth creation did not have to be a zero-sum game. Drawing from both my experiences in India and the U.S., I discovered my calling to entrepreneurship. My upbringing in India taught me to thrive in resource-constrained environments, a crucial skill for any entrepreneur. And my exposure to the capitalistic and innovative atmosphere of the U.S. fueled my excitement about using technology to help others.
Coming from a humbler background, do you feel the tension between entrepreneurship and pursuing a safer path?
Prasad: There's always that internal conflict. At times, I contemplate the safer route. However, during Oprah's HBS visit, one of her questions resonated deeply with me: How do you envision your legacy? While working for big corporations like Tesla and Apple offers a comfortable lifestyle, the desire to contribute something greater than oneself intensifies over time.
I feel I'm happiest when I'm tackling complex problems. The prospect of creating substantial impact, generating wealth, and fostering job opportunities through entrepreneurship excites me far more than the safety of a corporate job. When you can envision the positive impact you could make on people's lives, it’s really hard to go in another direction.
A spin on Mary Oliver’s quote…imagine you had multiple precious lives and not just one. What would you be doing in those parallel universes?
Prasad: You know, I'm a fan of quantum physics, so I genuinely entertain the idea of parallel universes! At various junctures, my life could have gone in entirely different directions. If I hadn't pursued technology and entrepreneurship, I might have ventured into politics or public administration. Those careers align with the legacy I want to leave: making a profound impact that touches the maximum number of people.
Why is legacy important to you?
Prasad: I feel like our life is ephemeral, we’re here for a very short period of time. The thought of living life in pursuit of comfort makes me uncomfortable. I strongly feel that if I possess the capacity to make a significant impact, then why not pursue it?
Tell us about a failure that positively transformed your life. Do you have a favorite failure?
Prasad: After undergrad I had an offer at Maruti Suzuki, one of India's largest car manufacturers. This was a significant achievement for me, considering my humble background. However, just before my first day, I underwent a screening where Suzuki administered the Ishihara Test for colorblindness — a requirement I was unaware of. The test revealed I struggled to clearly differentiate between red and green dots when placed next to each other. Although it was established that this was a very mild aberration, a common phenomenon among 11% of the male population and would in no capacity prevent me from fulfilling my job’s responsibilities, Suzuki rescinded my offer. Learning this news mere days before starting felt like a devastating blow. The executives at the company suggested I consider a different career path than manufacturing.
This setback hit me hard, igniting a fire within me to prove the execs wrong. Since then, I have felt a relentless drive to overcompensate for that loss. It motivated me to keep pushing forward. I pursued a Master's in Manufacturing Engineering at MIT and went on to work for renowned manufacturers like Tesla and Apple. The setback at Suzuki was a pivotal moment that solidified my commitment to my grand vision and fueled my determination to work tirelessly toward achieving my goals.
In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?
Prasad: There’s a quote from the former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On!’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
That quote has been the guiding light of my life. I’ve often found myself in environments surrounded by exceptional people, and there's an imposter syndrome that creeps in. But this quote reminds me that even if I don’t possess an exceptional IQ, my capacity for hard work can match or even surpass that of others. This gives me confidence I can find my place as long as I continue to march forward.
Jay Bhandari (MBA ’25) is originally from Houston, Texas. He graduated from Georgetown University in 2018 with a degree in Economics. Prior to the HBS MBA, Jay worked in operations at thredUP in San Francisco.
Sam Berube (MBA ’25) is originally from Dover, Massachusetts. He graduated from Brown University with an honors degree in International & Comparative Political Science in 2019. Prior to his matriculation at HBS, Sam worked in corporate strategy at the McDonald's Corporation in Chicago, and for BCG in Boston. He is also an avid landscape and wildlife photographer.