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Profile: Fresher, Dual Degree Aerospace Engineering, IITK
Time: 11-2 pm slot
2 Panelists : P1(M, 40s),P2 (F, 35-40yrs)
Pleasantries exchanged
P1: Are you a fresher?
Me: Yes sir. I'm going to graduate later this year with a Dual Degree in Aerospace Engineering.
P1: Aerospace is an interesting subject. We'll talk about it later. As a part of the process, you need to talk about a topic for the 30s.
Extempore topic- Turbulence.
(Initially, I planned to talk about a lot of things but in that 1min I could only finish talking about the scientific aspect.)
P1: What are your thoughts on turbulence in life, business, nation?
Me: The stock market rise and fall is a good example of turbulence in business. In fact, researchers are attempting to model it using turbulence models used in fluid mechanics with some modifications. The highs and lows which we all face during our life journey can be referred to as turbulence. Covid 19 is the obvious example of turbulence in the nation which has disrupted our life in every possible way.
P1: Okay. Excellent. I was wondering if they teach you to build a plane in your course?
Me: Yes sir. In fact, I have designed a full-scale model of a 6 seater propeller-driven aircraft.
P1: Can you brief me about how the materials used to manufacture the plane evolved over time?
Me: Talked about the early 1930s, the structure, some historical crashes. The wooden structure, then the steel, then Al alloys, and in future composites. Talked about the advantages and disadvantages of composites.
P1: Okay. Who is the commercial and industrial minister of India?
Me: (Face-palm) Couldn't remember.
P1: Okay. No problem. Why MBA?
Me: Ready Answer
P1: Okay. Over to you P2.
P2: Why MBA? Elon musk is an inspiring figure to you. He didn't do an MBA. So why are you doing it?
Me: I don't have any business knowledge which I believe MBA will formally provide. True, Elon musk is not an MBA but almost all his board members are MBA from Stanford, Harvard, etc reputed b-schools. And statistics also support that MBA grads' startups are more successful. (she interrupted)
P2: You can always hire people.
Me: Ma'am why shouldn't I do when I have the provisions and capability. By that logic, I can hire everyone and be dependent on them for everything.
P2: Hmm. I get your point. But it's something you should think about as you have a very specific business idea and you are very passionate about Aerospace. It's in your eyes when you were talking about your subject. Anyway, what are your hobbies?
Me: Watching and playing a lot of cricket. Watching movies, playing computer games.
P2: What's your favorite movie?
Me: A beautiful mind (wanted to tell something related to MBA :p)
P2: (laughing) So you have a crush on Jennifer Connelly?
Me: (smiling) No ma'am. (P1 interrupts)
P1: No. Russell Crowe.
P2: (laughing) Arkadip I didn't say that. I told Connelly.
Me: Well not gonna lie, she doesn't seem to be 50yrs old. But now I'm with Katherine Langford.
P2: (laughs) Good choice. But why A Beautiful Mind?
Me: (laughing) I liked the way Russell portrayed John Nash. The craziness, the passion everything.
P2: So you liked the craziness? (laughing)
Me: (smiling) Well ma'am, the passion behind the craziness is something that's remarkable.
P2: He is a mathematician. Still, we study about him in every MBA course. Do you know his contribution?
Me: Yes ma'am. A market equilibrium model.
P1: Yes you're right. It's called the Nash model. Any other contribution?
Me: (thinking) something about cryptography?
P1: It is okay if you don't know something. You tell that. Otherwise, you have already done brilliantly.
Me: Thank you, sir. I was trying to recall.
P2: So Arkadip. Arka means sun. But you have added a 'dip' at the end.
Me: So it becomes sunlight.
P2: (smiling) The washing powder?
Me: (laughing) No ma'am the sunlight that gives us warmth.
P1: He has 'dip'. Not 'deep'. It is like dipping into the Sun.
Me: (laughing) Didn't see it in this way.
P2: OMG. That's intense.
P2: It was really cool to talk to you. But we are short on time.
P1: Bye Arkadip. (still smiling)
Me: Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, sir. Have a good day.
Verdict: Converted.