I was short-listed with Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon for their one-year flagship PGPM program. The process consisted of WAT (Written Ability Test) and Personal Interview. We were given 3 topics and 20 mins of time to write an essay of 250 words. The topics were -
1. Data privacy is a myth. Shed light keeping in mind the Cambridge Analytica incident.
2. State of Indian banks with respect to Nirav Modi - PNB Scam
3. Electric Vehicles
Shortly after we were called for the interview process. There were two fine gentlemen on the other side of the table. Let's call them P1 and P2.
P1 : Tell me about your self
Me : Answered
P2 : I see that you have worked in two companies before. How would you describe your role in the two companies?
Me : Answered
P1 :(Interrupted) Why did you switch?
Me : I wanted to take up a job role that requires more front-ending. I did not see that happening that is why I switched.
P2: Who is the defence minister of India?
Me: Nirmala Sitharaman (shot the answer without wasting time)
P1 : Who has been elected as president of Russia?
Me : Vladimir Putin
P2 : Have you heard about the company Cambridge Anaytica?
Me : (The news had broken up just a day before the interview) Told about the scam in brief
P1 : What are your hobbies?
Me : Trekking and Travelling. Singing on the go.
P1 : Isn't trekking and travelling the similar?
Me : It may sound similar but it indeed is very different. One has to build good stamina and resilience in order to trek Himalayan Peaks. It requires physical and mental strength. I had trekked Kuntibetta, Kudremukh, Kodachadri in the western ghats and then dared to climb 12000 ft high Hampta Pass in the Himalayas. Travelling on the contrary just requires a well-planned itinerary.
P1 and P2 are both smiling
P1 : Why do you want to pursue MBA?
Me : It was in my job that I realised that I am an eloquent communicator. My technical experience has made me familiar with the current trends in Tech and the work methodology of an IT company. I would like to join the MBA program of Great Lakes to gain managerial knowledge. Combined with a prior experience I would like to drive growth and innovation in the tech industry.
P1 and P2 : Thank you for your interview. You may call it a day.
Me : Thank you.