IIM Shillong - Decisions Of Life

There are phases in one’s life where decisions pave way for important consequences. One such decision for me was joining the “CAT” race and eventually ending up in IIM Shillong. From the very day I have set foot on this campus, I am amazed every moment by its beauty. IIM Shillong is one of the most scenic campuses of higher education, of India. I am in awe every time there are clouds around me when I am taking a stroll in the lush green campus. But beauty is just one aspect. It is a B School after all and that comes with its own unique environment pressurizing one to excel and achieve, become the person one dreamt to be in the first place. I had conveniently ignored the environment and enjoyed the student life without adding any such said pressure to my life.

But the fast-paced life got to my nerves only when I chose to recognize its importance and decided to act, finally. Everyday I get up in the hope that I would make this day the fruitful launchpad required to engage and thrive. One such momentous occasion happened when I was asked a question by an influential professor, “Did you decide on the industry, you are planning to work in?”. Honestly, I was clueless. I had never performed an in-depth SWOT analysis of myself for this specific purpose. All I knew was I would apply in companies in the order they arrive on campus to hire and pay packages would be a big criterion(obviously). But the little thought, “How easily would I fit in any of them?”, started to make more sense and pestered me consistently.

The immediate decision was to evaluate(obviously). But this time, I did not want to rely on a SWOT analysis. Rather, I thought about the advantages in participating in case study competitions. They incentivize you with prizes, PPIs, and chances to add lines on your currently dismal CV. More importantly they give you cases requiring diverse fields’ skills, acumen and primary inclination to solve. This might help me to eliminate (if not select) the various options, helping me to zero down on the kind of problem statements I would want myself to work on, in the future.

Was this my novel solution to the existing problem (an important one indeed). Well it might not be. But it essentially means that I who never bothered to take my MBA life seriously, have now started to do something about the issues at hand. I now have the intent to change things and this intent is important for the core cause.

This whole mental activity happened because of the high expectations set by our seniors whom we look up to. Today when I stand in the shoes of being a senior I realize the hardcore intent to change not just for myself but for being able to a responsible IIM Shillong senior.

Aditya Birla Group - Which company and why?

I would want to work for Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited because of my primary inclination towards apparel and fashion industry. I am amazed by the growth (both domestic and international) potential the industry is known for. The brilliant co-existence of brick and mortar and online stores keeps my mind inclined towards possible strategy roles this company could offer. A time when online purchasing of clothes, almost have rented customers’ minds as an obvious choice, how ABFRL is thriving is a question which intrigues me. The possibilities of MBA minds in this creative and supply chain heavy industry keeps my inclination to pursue an opportunity with ABFRL.

  Siddhani Satya Sriram PGP 2nd Year IIM Shillong