Insights from Babson MBA ’24 Alum and Tesla Analyst, Praveen Fernando
March 16, 2026
Navigating today’s job market can feel overwhelming, even for the most driven students! That’s why we partnered with Babson MBA ’24 alum Praveen Fernando, now a Real Time Analyst at Tesla, to hear his perspective on what it really takes to stand out.
Drawing from his own path—from graduate school to one of the world’s most innovative companies—Praveen offers candid, practical advice for students looking to approach their job search with clarity, confidence, and intention.
Q: Networking is a necessary part of the job search. Knowing what you do now, what should current students do to build their network in the age of AI?
A: In terms of outreach, one common theme I’ve noticed is the heavy use of standard AI-generated templates. While these messages may sound polished to the sender, they come across as repetitive and lack genuine connection.
Here is what I would do:
Personalize: Tailor your message to the recipient. Mention something specific you’ve noticed about their work, organization, or experience. This shows effort and curiosity. If you do not have anything about them or if you want to demonstrate one thing about yourself, you may do so in the opening hook.
Relate: Finding a point of connection helps engage the reader and make your message memorable. Relatability often sparks genuine curiosity and builds rapport.
Be authentic: Many students ask for “coffee chats” that subtly aim for a referral. If the connection is not from the same team, asking for a referral is better than asking for a coffee chat. Be genuine about your intentions if you want a referral; ask directly and respectfully. Clarity saves time for both sides.
Acknowledge and follow up: This is often missed. Send a thank-you note or a brief follow-up after the person replies. For this you can create AI-generated responses with a hint from the previous discussion; remember authenticity stands out.
Also remember networking isn’t limited to messages. Engage with people’s posts, share your thoughts, or show up at events. Make yourself known, but for the right reasons. Those small actions often lead to more meaningful connections.
Q: AI has proven to be useful to assist with written communication. How can students use this to their advantage when introducing themselves to recruiters and alumni?
A: Personalize through context: AI can be a great writing partner but only if you feed it. Overcommunicate about yourself with the tools you are using. Use the tools to research about the company, industry or create a fun fact about yourself. The more personal context you provide, the more tailored and authentic your message will sound.
Keep it short: Clarity beats length. Draft your message in your own words first, then use AI to tighten or summarize it while preserving your voice.
Q: What are common ways students misuse AI when networking?
A: The most common thing I see is relying too heavily on generic templates. Almost every message I get begins with the same structure or phrases, which quickly becomes repetitive.
Many students tweak a few words to make it “personal,” but the result still feels automated. True networking begins with originality and intent. Before sending, read your message aloud. If it doesn’t sound like you, tweak it until it does.
Sometimes the responses created by AI are very robotic or formal. I recommend imagining yourself talking to the recipient face-to-face. This mindset not only helps you sound natural but also strengthens your in-person networking and communication skills.
Avoid overused formatting and symbols or bullet-style outreach messages that feel mechanical. Remember, people connect with authenticity, not templates.
Q: Tell me about the last time a student’s outreach was so good you were eager and excited to help them. What did they do?
A: A recent message that stood out was incredibly short in just two sentences. The student introduced themself clearly, mentioned their relevant background, and directly asked for a referral. Their honesty and brevity made it easy for me to take action, and I referred them immediately.
That’s the power of being direct, authentic, and respectful of the recipient’s time.