Kaptains of Kozhikode returns for another season! Meet the stalwarts from the IIM in God's Own Country.
First up, Nishant Dey Purkayastha
(To meet other Kaptains of Kozhikode
click here)
A consistent performer when it comes to academics, a sports enthusiast, and a blogger: you definitely are multifaceted, how do you motivate yourself to manage everything around?
I would say it all boils down to how passionate you are about everything. Time management becomes critical when there are a host of activities going around. At times it does get tiring. There are occasions when sleep becomes a luxury. But then if you are desperate to get involved in something, time and motivation does find a way. I, for example, am extremely passionate about sports and I knew that this is probably the last time I could get involved actively in sports on a regular basis. So I naturally wanted to join the Sports Committee and was pleased to have been elected to it. This ensured that I was involved with sports, either as a player or an organizer or both, throughout the year despite all the academic rigor and other activities. As you have said, I like writing too, especially satire, but I haven’t been able to dedicate much time to it in the past 2 years. Hopefully now I’ll be able to do that.
You have a thing for achievements: you came out with flying colors in the Bloomberg Aptitude Test, National Analytics Olympiad in the second year of your post graduate studies. What is that turns you on about achieving?
I have always looked at such platforms as an opportunity to see where I stand as compared to my peers from other institutions. And well it does feel good to do well and see your name among the top few. But there are good rewards at stake too. For example, those who do well in the Bloomberg Aptitude Test may get requests from recruiters to share their profile/CV, and if things work out it can lead to a job offer. I have so far received such requests from three US based firms. The winner of the National Analytics Olympiad flew down to Singapore to represent India in a Global Analytics Conclave. So as you can see, there is a lot of incentive to participate and try to do well. And as you know a large part of MBA life is spent running after ‘CV points’. So these are things that can help differentiate one’s CV from the crowd.
You have been finalists in various b-school competitions nationwide. Any suggestions for your junior batches related to that?
I would say that the learning you get while working on such competitions is unique. Working on practical cases helps develop perspective. You get to know how various industries work, how strategies and plans are impacted by various events and government policies, how some inter-related industries work. In short, you get to know the dynamics of businesses in a much more holistic way than classroom learning. Having said that, it is also important to keep a balance and not overdo oneself by getting into everything that comes up. suggestion for those who are keen to participate in such competitions is to find a set of good teammates. It is important to have a group of people who are equally motivated, have similar priorities and are therefore willing to put in the required time and effort. There will be times when academics might take a hit due to these competitions. In such instances, all team members have to be on the same page in order to avoid conflicts.
How has your experience been so far in the institute with respect to the opportunities you got, the life you led and the career path that you have possible chalked so far?
Life@IIM K provides ample opportunities and avenues to get involved in a host of activities. Quizzers, singers, dancers, literary or sports enthusiasts – all have various occasions throughout the year to follow their interests. That just adds on to make the B-school experience a complete one. Throughout the year numerous reputed personalities from across fields, not just management, come to the campus to interact with students which again is unique.Personally, I think by and large IIM K has managed to provide pretty good opportunities as far as career aspirations are concerned. I did have some apprehensions when I first joined as I wanted to pursue a career in consulting and IIM K had this notion of being a marketing campus. But I would say that in the last 2 years the institute has made massive strides in the right direction with respect to placements. There are ample opportunities available for students in all domains. And I am happy that I have got a job that fits in line with my career goals
Any suggestions/message for junior batches coming to IIM-K?
I would say live your life to the fullest in the 2 yrs. For most of you all, this is the last bit of formal education. After this it’s the routine 9 to 6 job life (if you are lucky, if not be ready for 12-14 hours a day). Hostel life has a charm of its own that is unparalleled. Random chit-chats, weekend trips, late night parties are things you’ll always have fond memories of. At the same time, stay focused on the career path you want to pursue and try and get involved in things that will help ensure you get what you want. Don’t lose sleep thinking only about placements. Somewhere down the line things will get sorted out. Most importantly, be ambitious and take risks. Don’t opt for the safe path – you’ll do that a lot later in life. You may not always succeed, but you’ll never look back and think how different life could have been had I taken the leap of faith.
To meet other Kaptains of Kozhikode
click here