I did my undergrad in Engineering at a top-five UK institution, graduating in 2007—yes, that feels like a lifetime ago. Straight out of university, I jumped into Investment Banking, landing at one of the biggest firms in the world. But within a year, it became glaringly obvious: this wasn’t the life I wanted. The chaos of 2007-2008, otherwise known as the wild west of investment banking, only reinforced my decision to pivot.
So, I walked away. Good timing too—because not long after, the firm I had worked for made international headlines for all the wrong reasons. For the record, I had already left before everything went up in flames.
From there, I found my stride in corporate communications, branding, and PR. Over the next decade, I focused on business development at one of the largest engineering firms before moving into branding, PR, and process outsourcing for top luxury lifestyle and travel brands in the UK, driving their global expansion.
Then, as the late 2010s rolled in, a few peers and I decided to shake things up. We launched the first luxury travel network in the Indian Ocean region, flipping the narrative on these destinations while integrating cutting-edge PR and communication strategies. We even became launch partners for the world’s top AR/VR firm, pioneering AR/VR-driven campaigns in hospitality before that was even a thing.
On top of that, I co-own and run a tech recruitment firm that connects Silicon Valley startups (and some of the bigger players) with top-tier talent. Given the current economic landscape, let’s just say that’s been an interesting ride.
But after fifteen years in the corporate world? Burnout was real. My wife—who had been in the C-suite at a major ad agency—felt the same. So, when the chance came to step back and dive into a PhD program, we took it. No regrets.
Now, whether it’s through teaching, advising, or just talking shop, I bring real-world business expertise to the table. And as someone who’s spent years in recruitment, I have a unique take on graduate and MBA programs—not just from an applicant’s perspective, but from the people actually hiring.
I am pursuing my PhD in Communications and Public Relations at a R1 US university (top 2 in my field).
My research examines the use of AR/VR technology in communication campaigns, focusing on how immersive experiences enhance audience engagement.
I also explore the role of behavioral psychology in buying intentions and use psychometric evaluations to understand how emotional and cognitive responses to AR/VR content influence decision-making. This multidisciplinary approach aims to inform effective communication strategies in today's media landscape
My original GMAT score was in the 500s 😅, and I spent over $150 per hour lesson with so-called tutors, but I never improved above mid 600s. Realising it was not for me, I concentrated on answering the questions and talking to people who could assist me with the answers and strategies for acquiring the answers quickly. This assisted me in reaching 740; eventually, my college opted not to need the GMAT.
I have also noticed that more and more institutions don't care about the GMAT; just the admission office does, unless it's for the MBA program.
Same reason why your high school physics teacher is not an Astrophysicist at NASA. Just because you are a great test taker doesn't mean you can teach someone else how to be one. My students are now achieving scores of 735/745, and they're really enjoying their progress. You can check out the reviews to learn more (REVIEW)
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