Pratik Katad from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies has earned his place among the 50 Most Employable MBA Graduates from the Class of 2026. His story reflects disciplined effort, an academic journey shaped by ambition, and a steady progression into the world of finance. Scroll down to explore how Pratik has converted hard work into opportunity and built a profile defined by resilience, clarity of purpose, and consistent performance.
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The Journey: From Agricultural Biotechnology to Corporate Finance
Pratik’s journey began with a B.Tech. in Agricultural Biotechnology, where he demonstrated academic excellence and curiosity for analytical problem-solving. However, his long-term inclination toward strategic decision-making and financial systems pushed him to explore beyond the boundaries of his core domain. This led him to prepare for the MBA/MMS-CET, a decision that required balancing final-year academic responsibilities with competitive exam preparation.
Achieving a 99.97 percentile and securing a place in the top 0.03 percent of more than 1,30,000 candidates was not just a milestone but a turning point. This accomplishment opened the door to JBIMS, a platform that matched his aspirations. For Pratik, the score was significant not only because of the result but because of the process. The discipline to follow a structured preparation plan, the habit of adapting under pressure, and the ability to aim high while staying grounded have shaped his approach to challenges ever since.
Building Competence: Experience at ICICI Bank
During his summer internship at ICICI Bank in the Corporate Finance division, Pratik worked on financial analysis, valuation modeling, and capital structuring. He explored how capital allocation decisions are made, how market dynamics influence valuations, and how technology can support financial advisory workflows.
Pratik used financial modeling tools and AI-assisted market intelligence platforms to evaluate risk exposures and strategic scenarios. His ability to integrate domain knowledge with data-driven insight enabled him to approach business questions with clarity and structured reasoning. This exposure affirmed his intent to pursue a career in finance and investment banking, where analytical rigor meets real-world impact.
Prior to his MBA, Pratik had already been part of financial management projects, earned certifications in corporate finance and investment banking, and published research. These experiences helped him develop problem-solving depth and the ability to analyze information with precision.
Strengths That Shape His Leadership
Pratik identifies adaptability, empathy in teamwork, and creative problem-solving as his strengths that do not always appear explicitly on a resume.
He adapts quickly in new environments, whether adjusting to unfamiliar subjects during his transition from biotechnology to finance or learning different workflows during corporate projects. His empathy helps him collaborate smoothly, mediate perspectives, and maintain trust within teams. His creative problem-solving mindset allows him to approach challenges with both analytical depth and imaginative thinking, often leading to solutions that balance feasibility and innovation.
Character in Action: A Quiet Example of Selflessness
An important moment that shaped Pratik’s understanding of leadership occurred during his undergraduate research project. A classmate faced health challenges and risked failing due to incomplete practical work. Despite preparing for competitive exams and managing his own project deadlines, Pratik chose to help. He spent early mornings and late evenings guiding the student through experiments, teaching concepts, and coordinating with faculty on timelines. The outcome was not just a completed project but a restored academic path and a shared sense of progress.
For Pratik, this experience reaffirmed that competence matters most when paired with compassion and that success carries meaning when it is shared.
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The Employable Edge
In today’s AI-augmented business landscape, Pratik stands out for his ability to translate data into clear, actionable decisions. He combines financial acumen with technological awareness and maintains a balanced perspective rooted in human judgment. He is someone who learns quickly, collaborates with sincerity, and delivers with ownership.
Pratik Katad brings a thoughtful blend of analytical skill, discipline, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. He is prepared to contribute meaningfully to teams that value precision, strategic thinking, and integrity in action.
