Joining a business school marked the beginning of a new phase in my life. Admission into a school as prestigious as the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi appeared like the culmination of the gruelling entrance exam and an exhaustive Written Ability Test, Group Discussion and Personal Interview process. The feeling of elation I had when I entered the campus as a student was a moment of pride. I walked through the campus and familiarised myself with the place which would be my new home for the next two years.
In the heart of the campus, stood a statue unlike any other I had ever seen. It was a metal statue of a winged man with a book in one hand and a pen in another. He looked like he was about to embark on his journey armed with the gift of knowledge and expression. Strangely, it reminded me of a story from Greek mythology, the fate of Icarus. Icarus flew the skies with wings made of wax and he foolishly flew too close to the sun. His waxy wings melted and he paid the price for his foolhardiness.
This train of thought brought about a new sense of clarity in me. I realised that even though education gives us all wings to fly, it is important to have wings which can withstand the heat of the sun. During my first few days in IIFT, it became abundantly clear to me that the institute is concerned with equipping its students to face the harsh and tough realities of the business world. With the continuous stream of assignments, tough deadlines and meetings, the students are taught to rely on their strengths, work on their weaknesses and prove their mettle.
My peers and I joined IIFT as individuals aspiring to be the future leaders of society. However, through these deadlines and assignments, we have forged an intangible connection. We have become a part of the IIFT family, wherein our dreams and goals are aligned towards a shared future. Achieving success is not by dragging your peers down but by helping them so that we will all be able to rise together.
IIFT moulds its students and gives them the ability to achieve their dreams. They do this, not by gently crafting wings of wax, but by creating strong wings of metal which can withstand the heat of a thousand suns.
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Which ABG company would I want to work for and why?
The Aditya Birla Group has left an indelible footprint in the world and is part of the prestigious Fortune 500. Given the opportunity, I would like to work for Aditya Birla Capital Limited. ABCL is among the top private diversified NBFCs in India and is a prominent asset management company as well. As I want to build my career in finance, ABCL will provide me with the exposure I need to succeed in the world of finance.