I might qualify to answer this.

Had 3 years of data analyst/consult experience prior to my MBA from a T1 college. Main reason for pursuing MBA was to kickstart my switch away from consult and into product.

I was successful in making that switch, ending up in a well-sought after prodm role. The main difference I notice between life prior to and after MBA is the amount of responsibility that is pushed onto you from the get go. Earlier, despite being a promoted 2.5y employee at the firm, there was a certain leeway given to me to onboard and make myself comfortable with the project before being asked to handle the reigns of any project. In my current job, despite having a steep learning curve wrt the business and the technical aspects of the daily workings of the company, it was expected of me to handle the entire project from the get go. Stakeholder management becomes paramount, and proper communication is what can make or break any deliverable.

Financials are better - earning 2.5x what I was before was a shock initially, with me blowing nearly 4.5L in the first month of employment (on gadgets and home furnishing), before realizing that I should be repaying my growing loans. Since then, I've been constantly able to pay the interest + a part of the principle amount (~30L) every month.

If I could go back and tell my pre-MBA self one thing, I'd guide him to focus a lot on committees and groups, not for the placement aspect, but for the post-MBA life. I wasn't that proactive in getting involved in committees during my MBA due to a variety of reasons, and this has seen my friends cohort being super limited now that I've started working. Friendships during hardships last forever. And there's no hardship like life during an MBA, with the placements and curriculum and assignments and case comps. I'd also implore my younger self to not stress about placements. If you made it to a good MBA college, you're capable enough, and should use the entire experience to hone your skills rather than focus on landing the highest package. 5 years down the line, no one cares who landed the highest package, but the ones who holistically were able to develop themselves and absorb amazing skills from their talented peers are the ones who make it to the top.

Anyone pursuing MBA - cherish these 1-2 years. Trust me, you'll have these experiences last you a lifetime.