As a biotechnology student at Imperial College London, it was unclear to him what he wanted to do. This changed when he did something that provided clarity, making his path easier to navigate. Now, he is a consultant at Bain & Co.
In the heart of a lush estate in Segamat, Johor, where the rhythms of nature dictate the pace of life, a young Ananth Kumar dreamed of a world beyond the green expanses.
“The first 12 years of my life, I grew up in a plantation,” Ananth recalls, with both his parents working in the palm oil industry. His early life was a routine of early mornings, as he would “wake up at half past five in the morning” to catch the school bus for a journey of “40 kilometres” that took “between an hour and a half to two hours.”
Despite the long commute, his parents were determined. “The reason my parents did that was because they wanted us to get a better education. They know education was the way up.”
Their dedication extended beyond just the long bus rides. They subscribed to a daily newspaper for RM1.20, a seemingly small expenditure that had a significant impact on Ananth’s aspirations. “I was lucky that my parents invested in something as simple as RM1.20 in a newspaper,” he notes.
“Every Sunday, I would look forward to that education pullout,” he says. It was here that he first learned about A Levels and prestigious institutions. “They always publish the names, scores, colleges – Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, Imperial. Occasionally there would be Harvard, Yale or Princeton there.”
This exposure was a revelation to him, opening up a world of possibilities. “That was the first time I picked out these things like, oh, where are these places? They sound very different,” he recalls.
These early experiences, filled with the dedication and foresight of his parents, laid the groundwork for Ananth’s academic and professional success.
Ananth’s journey to academic excellence progressed when he embarked on his A Levels at Kolej Yayasan UEM (KYUEM) under a scholarship from UEM.
Reflecting on his decision, Ananth recalls, “At the back of my head it was like, okay, if I’m going out there, I might as well try to go to the best possible place I can.” His dream to study at prestigious universities became a driving force.
KYUEM as a launchpad
KYUEM was a transformative period for Ananth. “It was the game-changing period,” he asserts, attributing this to two main reasons.
“It showed me how a different system worked from an education system perspective. It forces you to think out of the box,” he explains.
The approach at KYUEM was not about rote learning but about questioning, figuring out answers independently, and reading around topics.
Ananth fondly remembers his biology lecturer, David Paul Vroege, now the principal of KYUEM. “David was interesting because he had this larger-than-life character. He kept the classes entertaining but more than that, he was always open to listen to additional ideas that you brought into the classroom,” Ananth recalls.
This non-traditional teaching style, where reading outside the syllabus and bringing those insights into classroom discussions were encouraged, significantly enhanced the learning environment.
Secondly, KYUEM excelled in preparing students for education abroad. The support services at KYUEM played a crucial role in Ananth’s development. “In terms of how it helped me to get into a good college, the support service element was great,” he says.
He vividly remembers Kasthuri Thilaga, the counsellor, who was instrumental in guiding students through university selection and the application process. “Having that support system meant you were not alone.
You had a fallback support system that can guide you in terms of how to manoeuvre the process, how to think about your options,” he explains. This support was particularly beneficial in crafting personal statements, a crucial element for applying to universities in the UK and US.
The combination of dedicated teaching and robust support systems at KYUEM not only prepared Ananth academically but also provided him with the confidence and guidance to navigate the complexities of university applications.
This foundation was pivotal in securing his place at Imperial College London, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in biotechnology. For Ananth, KYUEM was more than just a college; it was a launchpad for his future success.
For instance, despite being a preparatory institution for overseas studies, KYUEM maintains a vibrant extracurricular culture.
Ananth, who served as the secretary of the student council and participated in debates and performing arts, highlighted the opportunity for students to engage in cultural performances such as Bangsawan, culture nights, health awareness weeks, and sports.
These activities played a crucial role in building lasting relationships and enriching university applications.
KYUEM Bangsawan
At a crossroads in Imperial
Ananth’s journey at Imperial College London marked a significant chapter in his life. It was here that he delved deep into his chosen field of study biotechnology, surrounded by some of the brightest minds from around the world. “Imperial was challenging but exhilarating,” Ananth describes.
Imperial College London distinguishes itself as a world-renowned institution in science, engineering, medicine, and business, focusing intensely on ground-breaking research.
Ananth, reflecting on his time at Imperial, candidly shared his struggles with uncertainty and peer pressure during his first two years. “Second year in college was tough,” he admitted, “I almost had a personal confidence crisis.” Surrounded by “A types,” as he described them, he felt the weight of being among peers who had their futures meticulously planned out.
“You saw two types of people,” he explained, “those obsessed with their studies and those already set on securing jobs at investment banks or consulting firms.” This environment made him question his own path. “Do I really want to do this?” he often wondered.
His turning point came during a summer internship in Malaysia. “It validated something for me,” he said, “that it’s okay to pursue a degree in science and not follow a career in that field.” The experience provided him clarity and confidence, proving that it’s possible to pivot and find new directions.
Returning for his third year, he felt renewed purpose, determined to “earn this degree with the best possible grade” and embrace a new career path.
Professional journey
Post-graduation from Imperial College London, Ananth held his first role in the Corporate Planning department in UEM Edgenta Berhad, a subsidiary of UEM Group in Malaysia. UEM Edgenta is a leading asset management and infrastructure solutions company in Asia, offering support services across sectors like healthcare, expressways and building.
Here, as a science student, he pivoted from biotechnology to doing corporate and business. His scientific way of thinking helped him in the corporate job.
“My time at UEM Edgenta was instrumental,” Ananth reflects, “It grounded my theoretical knowledge from Imperial into practical, real-world applications.” A scientific background, like in biotechnology, offers key advantages in corporate roles.
“The problem-solving approach and critical thinking I learned in biotech are universally applicable,” he added. Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills are crucial for data-driven decision-making in business. Additionally, the ability to clearly communicate complex ideas is vital for effective stakeholder engagement in a corporate setting.
In UEM Edgenta, Ananth’s roles were multi-fold, ranging from strategic planning to project execution. This experience provided him with an insight into the nuances of managing large-scale projects and understanding the intricacies of the infrastructure sector.
It was here that he developed a keen sense for business and strategy, which later became invaluable in his consulting career when he later joined Roland Berger and Bain & Company.
Ananth’s experience at Roland Berger, a German-headquartered consulting firm, marked an important period in his professional development. He recalls, “I was with Roland Berger when they were expanding in Southeast Asia.” This phase was crucial in broadening his industry knowledge, especially in telecommunications and technology.
“I really learned about different industries. We did projects in automotive, oil and gas, healthcare, but primarily in telco and tech,” he shares. Spending about four years there, Ananth’s tenure at Roland Berger was enriching, providing him with extensive experience and knowledge of various sectors, especially in the fast-evolving tech and telecommunications space.
However, Ananth’s ambition and desire for a broader impact propelled him to Bain & Company, a powerhouse in global consulting. “Joining Bain was a leap into the arena of high-stakes challenges and relentless learning,” he asserts. At Bain, Ananth’s work spanned multiple sectors, enabling him to revolutionise the businesses he advised, driving them to new heights.
This phase of his career was not just about personal growth but also about his desire to affect change. Ananth emphasises, “While climbing the corporate ladder is rewarding, my focus has always been on creating a positive impact in whatever I do.” His career path exemplifies a blend of professional success and a commitment to making a difference.
Philosophy and impact
Ananth often reflects on his roots and the opportunities he was given. He says, “I’ve always felt a strong responsibility to give back, to help others from similar backgrounds realise their potential.” This sense of duty is evident in his involvement in various mentorship and educational initiatives.
His advice to young individuals is to believe in their abilities, seek out opportunities, and never be afraid to reach for the stars no matter where they come from.
