What does it take to build a successful career and how do you know if you are on the right path? In this episode, our alumnus and host Niketan Karunanidhi sits down with David Kryut, CEO of Bloom Group. With over 30 years in finance and accounting, including senior leadership in insurance and service on healthcare boards, David will share lessons from his unexpected career journey and what it takes to build a lasting career.

We will explore why persistence matters more than having everything figured out and how to stand out when starting a career. Drawing from his experience across different industries, David will explain why hard work and humility matter and how looking beyond experience can reveal untapped potential.

We will discuss the value of networking, the lessons rejection can teach us and how to stay open to unexpected opportunities. David will also share his perspective on how AI is changing the future of work.

About The In Reality Podcast:

A School of Management podcast, In Reality: Lessons from Leaders and Entrepreneurs features conversations with thought leaders, entrepreneurs from startups to multinational corporations and experts shaping the future of business.

Founded by John Rebecchi (M.B.A. ’83), Ph.D., founder of Strategy + Culture Consulting, who served as the podcast’s original host and continues as Executive Producer, the podcast now features alumni hosts Niketan Karunanidhi and Priscilla Araba Hagan, who bring fresh perspectives on leadership, entrepreneurship and career journeys.

Executive Producer Deborah Y. Cohn, (M.B.A.'89), Ph.D., Professor of Marketing at NYIT and former Interim Dean of the School of Management (2021–2024), brings her expertise to the show, while Patthara Chandaragga (B.P.S.'11, M.A.'13) works closely with the hosts and executive producers on marketing, production, and audience engagement.

Season 13 of In Reality: Lessons from Leaders and Entrepreneurs kicks off on International Podcast Day with a special episode unlike anything we have done before. For this special first episode, we are taking a moment to look back at the people and stories that have been part of the podcast over the past seven years.

Hear from Deborah Y. Cohn (M.B.A.'89), Ph.D., Professor of Marketing and Executive Producer; John Rebecchi (M.B.A. ’83), Ph.D., founder, host, and Executive Producer; Patthara Chandaragga (B.P.S.'11, M.A.'13), Producer; and Priscilla Araba Hagan (M.B.A.’26), and Niketan Karunanidhi (M.B.A.’26), who made their debut as student hosts last season and are ready to take the podcast into its next chapter.

Together, we will look back at where the In Reality began, how it has changed over the years, the people who have been part of its journey and where we are going next. We hope you enjoy this reflective episode and the stories behind the podcast.

Andrew Woods, a consultant, trainer, and entrepreneur with 25 years of experience across the UK, China, and Canada, joins the MBA Club at New York Institute of Technology to explore how business students and young professionals can thrive alongside AI. Drawing on his book on the six essential soft skills for the AI era — legendary customer service, sales and negotiation, presentation, cross-cultural communication, creativity, and emotional intelligence — Woods argues that while AI will outpace humans on logical, repetitive tasks, it can't replicate the human connection that builds trust, closes deals, and drives careers forward. He shares candid stories from his own entrepreneurial journey, from an impromptu chef gig in an Irish pub to building and rebuilding his training company across three countries, offering hard-won lessons on networking, resilience, execution over analysis paralysis, and knowing when to pull the plug on a failing idea. The conversation closes with practical advice for international students and aspiring entrepreneurs alike: keep sharpening your human skills, don't wait for permission to start, and remember that in an AI-driven world, the personal touch is what will always set you apart.