When does B-school life begin?
CAT? No. Interview calls? No. Acceptance letter? No. First day of class? No.
B-school life begins the day you put on a suit. James Bond style, minus the pistol of course.
20-yr old me was quite proud of the fact that I could easily boast of owning over a 1000 clothes. If my mother is to be believed, the number stands at 23,98,573.
Nevertheless, there is always room for more right? And so was the case when I got my first interview call at a B-school. Parallel to polishing my answers, I also had to polish my shoes. And I had to pick out the perfect blazer and trouser combination. Be dressed to impress, if I may say so.
My first formal suit. A milestone in my life. It was the beginning of what will be a very long corporate journey. And all this started in an Allen Solly store.
And that was how ABG entered my life and made a difference. Looks can be deceiving, and my shabby self was decked up in the smartest pair of blazer and trouser, and ABG enabled that. On a stone like me, ABG’s touch was what turned me into a diamond.
Having the paraphernalia and the look fit for a B-school student, I had my first day at MDI Gurgaon. Entering B-school is like stepping into a pool of opportunities. It Is another chance to re-mould yourself and re-discover and hone your capabilities. It is the opportunity to make a true impact.
Although adjusting to B-school life is no cake walk. There are a million challenges that await you. From moving into a hostel after living at home all my life to adjusting to the rigour of the curriculum. Nothing came easy. But it was here that I got to test my limits and push myself beyond what I thought I could do.
Being a fresher, I felt I was at a disadvantage. But as I mingled with more people, I learnt from them and within 3 months, I was acquainted with experiences spanning over 3 years. The peer-learning and support was so strong amongst my group that I was able to hone my time-management skills and understand business concepts from their experience in the industry. Reading page after page of case studies was no ball game but I felt more comfortable with each passing day, when everything slowly started making sense. I was more focused and more open to the new experiences that were offered here.
It wasn’t as straight and simple as I am making it sound. I remember days when I used to crib and re-think my decision of joining an MBA programme. But I never gave up. I took this as a challenge and saw how far I could take myself. 6 months down the line, I had a summer internship in a big FMCG company, I was heading a team of 15 people, and I had developed a ready-to-do-anything attitude. It practically changed my life and who I was.
And all this started with a change of clothes. The suit didn’t only symbolise my entry into a different phase of life, but also the challenges and the responsibility that I had to take on from now. What started in an Allen Solly store changed my life. Something as simple as a suit will go on to define me and the life that I will lead. I think this is the impact that brands can have.