Charting New Paths: Yasin Lalani’s Journey to Consulting Success
Yasin Lalani (MBA ’25) has reached an exciting milestone in his professional journey—landing a full-time Manager role in the Banking, FinTech, and Financial Services practice at Cognizant Technology Solutions, one of the world’s leading IT consulting firms. In this position, Lalani contributes to solving complex business challenges, co-creating strategic solutions with clients, leading project teams, and building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
Lalani discovered the opportunity through LinkedIn, and once he made the decision to apply, he leaned deeply into the support and resources offered by the Centre for Career Design (CCD). He booked multiple advising appointments to refine his resume, cover letter, and networking strategy—guidance he describes as “game changing.” He also utilized CCD’s digital platforms, including CareerLeader, Big Interview, and CaseCoach, all of which helped strengthen his professional brand and interview readiness.
For Lalani, interview preparation became a transformative part of the process. Each interview—regardless of the outcome—became a learning opportunity. “Each interview, even those that didn’t go as planned, taught me something valuable,” he shared. “Those learnings became the steppingstones to success.”
Networking also played a pivotal role in securing his role. As an introvert, Lalani initially found networking intimidating, but with persistence and support from CCD advisors, he gradually built a meaningful professional community. His involvement in student clubs, alumni engagements, and class projects further expanded his exposure. A memorable moment was attending the Net Impact Conference, where an unexpected connection with a Schulich professor led to a marketing consulting role that further strengthened his experience.
Beyond career services, Lalani highlights the impact of two Schulich courses—Professional Development for Managers and Case Analysis & Presentation Skills. These courses helped him refine his communication, presentation, and client-facing skills, which he now applies directly to a consulting environment.
Reflecting on his journey, Lalani shares the following advice for fellow students navigating their career paths:
“While an MBA opens doors to many industries, it’s important to stay focused on where you truly want to thrive—but also remain open to new opportunities along the way. Don’t limit yourself to your prior expertise; leverage everything the Schulich MBA has to offer.”
