‘Building great technology wasn’t same as building businesses’

When Punit Kumar Sobti elected to enrol at business school, he did so seeking to make a change. 

He had spent a decade building a successful career in the tech sector working for a number of reputable firms across India, but desired to create a business of his own.

Seeking to ensure his education could be as enriching as possible he looked overseas, hoping to learn as much from a cohort of international classmates and a new environment as he would from his lecturers. 

His chosen institution and studies – an MBA at Trinity Business School in Ireland – transformed Punit in more ways than one. Not only did he find his way to a new career, he also found the love of his life.

Can a study abroad experience change your life? Punit shares his story here…

Tell us about your background  – what were your early career ambitions and experiences?

I was born and raised in Ranchi, India. After high school, I moved to Odisha for my engineering degree and later to Bangalore for work. Living in multiple cities across India provided me with a diverse range of professional and personal experiences early on.

I entered the IT industry with the goal of gaining strong experience before eventually building something of my own. Over the last decade, I have worked across the banking and software sectors. I began at Infosys , moved to Hexaware Technologies, and then joined Danske IT before transitioning back to Infosys.

What was the reason you decided to go to business school?

As AI accelerated, I realized that building great technology wasn’t the same as building great businesses. I wanted to move from being purely execution-focused to understanding how strategy, operations, and leadership decisions create real impact. Business school felt like the right step to broaden my lens and prepare for larger responsibilities.

What was it about your school and programme that encouraged you to enrol?

The diversity of the cohort; peers from the US, Europe, China, and India, was a major draw. I also valued Trinity’s practical, action-oriented approach, where we engaged with business leaders on real-world projects. The intensive one-year MBA format was the most efficient way to bridge the gap back into the professional world.

What was it like moving to Dublin?

Dublin was incredibly welcoming from the start. The people are warm; once a stranger even paid my restaurant bill, which made me feel right at home! Adjusting to the weather took time, but the city’s strong sense of community and supportive friends made the transition smooth.

What was the best thing(s) you gained from your studies?

The biggest gain was clarity in thinking. The MBA strengthened my structured problem-solving and gave me the confidence to approach complex challenges strategically. I also learned the value of collaboration and built resilience that extends beyond work.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in your studies, and how did you overcome them?

Transitioning from an engineering mindset to the multi-dimensional world of business strategy was my steepest learning curve. Navigating recruitment during the intensive program added pressure, but the Trinity career team helped me stay focused.

My resilience was truly tested when I lost my mother during the program. It was an incredibly difficult time, and I remain deeply grateful to my fiancée Neha Patil, my family, and my cohort for being my anchor throughout.

Did your experience change your professional ambitions?

It refined them. I entered Trinity with a goal to move beyond pure tech roles into strategic leadership at the intersection of AI and business. The program sharpened my strategic thinking and gave me the “C-suite” vocabulary to discuss “business and technology” as fluently as I discuss software architecture.

How did your business education support you in realising your ambitions?

The MBA at Trinity bridged the gap between my technical “how” and my strategic “why.” The curriculum allowed me to apply tech ideas to real-world problems under the guidance of exceptional faculty who brought both academic rigor and deep industry insight. The networking ecosystem also gave me the social capital and confidence to transition into a CTO role.

I hear you met your partner whilst studying at Trinity. How did you meet?

It was truly the best thing that could have happened to me. I still remember the first day I saw her in Athlone during our MBA orientation weekend. Something about her presence instantly caught my attention.

What began as casual campus conversations turned into coffee chats and Instagram DMs. Somewhere between lectures and deadlines, friendship became something deeper. I found more than just a partner; I found my greatest supporter and life companion.

How has your career progressed since graduating?

Exactly as envisioned. The network I built at Trinity was pivotal; through discussions with an Executive MBA student who owns an EdTech venture, I was offered a CTO role. I am now building a system from the ground up, overseeing both the technology and business sides.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself firmly established in the AI space, building something scalable. My goal is to launch my own AI-driven company and lead it as CEO.

What advice would you give to others who are considering studying in Ireland? Is there anything you wished someone had told you as you began your journey?

Plan your finances carefully; Dublin is expensive, and the MBA leaves little time for part-time work. Be patient post-graduation, stay persistent with networking, and trust the process.

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