IIM Shillong: The Place To Be - Riya Jaison

Located at “Scotland of the East”, the city that is nestled between mountains and dense clouds, one would be mesmerized by the tremendous beauty it offers as they would make their path through the gates of IIM Shillong campus that is lined with tall pine trees and bright flowers as you walk to the main building. Studying in a paradise is the added advantage of being part of the IIM Shillong fraternity. Being in the abode of clouds, it is not uncommon to find the clouds wading through the campus making it even more picturesque. When the days are packed with tons of pre-reads, classroom sessions, case discussions, project discussions with the study groups, meeting the sacrosanct deadlines, a mini stroll through the zigzag roads in this scenic beauty is sufficient to rejuvenate and charge up our minds.

Many things make IIM Shillong unique. To begin with, the “Sustainability Foundation Course” is something where we had first set our footsteps into while commencing the journey of IIM Shillong. This week-long course had planted the seeds of sustainability concepts in our minds enlightening us on how products could be made eco-friendly with its modification, change in production process, packaging change and modifying advertising and how sustainable development can be done using inclusive growth, innovation, and technology keeping company profit in mind. The course ended with the sustainability trek which reinforced the need and importance of sustainability when we explored the sacred forest at Mawphlang, heard the stories from the local people about their affinity for nature and how they had created the forest. All that was taught in the classrooms made sense when we trekked through the well-preserved mountains. It was indeed an experience of a lifetime that would sustain throughout in our memory lanes.

IIM Shillong also differentiates itself by promoting the development of North Eastern region of India apart from sustainability. It offers research and live projects related to the development of the local community along with unique courses like “Doing Business in North East.” It is the only IIM to host the annual flagship event, Golf Cup which aims at building the connection between the corporates and the academia and encouraging the professionals to “Look East.” Its 10th season witnessed participation of 150 golfers including the corporate leaders from various industries and the state government ministers from the North East. It was an exhilarating experience for us in organizing the event of such grandeur.

There are many more such activities and the list of what makes IIM Shillong unique would go on. The learning achieved from these opportunities is unbelievable.

Which Aditya Birla Group company would I like to join?

I would love to work with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited. It would be challenging and a great opportunity to cater to a sector where the demographic and psychographic profile changes at a faster pace regarding fashion preferences. I am interested in studying the consumer behavior and explore the various possibilities in this domain and add value to the company. With leading brands like Pantaloons, Van Heusen, Forever 21 under its umbrella, I aim to be part of challenging assignments that would be instrumental in enriching my skills.