It was 20th of April; I was at my office desk, doing some regular stuff, when an e-mail popped up, with the subject ‘Offer Letter’. As an applicant to many Global Masters programs, I was excited and opened it instantly. It read ‘Congratulations! You are admitted into the Global Management Programme at SPJIMR and are also accepted for the MAief Program at Brandeis IBS, Boston with a merit scholarship’. I was elated. But, hardly had I come to terms with that jubilation, a second e-mail arrived a few days later, asking me to complete a set of pre-requisite courses before the orientation day, one month hence.
My MBA was on! A realization of a tough road ahead struck, even before the programme commenced.
June 1st was the orientation day on the SPJIMR campus. Its 40 acres of green with a serene outlook, embracing vast open spaces and a wide assortment of flora & fauna, a rarity in a space-constrained & bustling city like Bombay. Coming back, the commencement witnessed the faculty and the dean, speak to us. But one common message reverberated across their speeches i.e. ‘Be mentally tough!’ For, we shall be moving to a foreign land & have to face the challenge of adapting to a new culture, lifestyle and work ethic.
After this, the days of classes and cases started eventually!
A typical day for us starts at 8’o clock in the morning with foreign language classes, followed by back to back MBA course tracks, discussions on International topics, late night group assignments etc. A schedule that is nothing short of crazy! And, the regular class discussions are crazy as well, because of its eclectic mix of engineers and others, coming from backgrounds like mass communications, economics, commerce, and pharmaceuticals. Even a licenced pilot! It is this diversity that is as much a teacher as are the faculty.
Apart from this, courses like the PG Lab (which is a 3 day offsite), Science of Spirituality and Design Thinking etc. helped us look within and an assortment of electives was offered to customize our learning’s. And, being in a global programme, visits by foreign professors, alumni and the others, is commonplace. This helps us in being updated about the ground realities in terms of economy, hiring trends and social trends, outside India.
We also get to volunteer, for teaching underprivileged kids, through ‘Abhyudhaya’ (an initiative of SPJIMR) and also celebrate festivals as diverse as ‘Onam’, donning the traditional Malayali attire & the Ganesh Chaturthi, with the saffron turbans.
But, it’s only just six months for us here at SPJIMR and the time flies quickly. But these are the crucial months that will prepare us for the flight beyond to distant continents, to global B schools & eventually a global career.
A journey has only just begun for me from SPJIMR, Bombay to Brandeis IBS, Boston!
----------------
About the Author:
Maneesh Ramanadham
Global Management Programme
Class of 2018, SPJIMR
Chat
Comments
Sai teja Ramanujam
CA
Hi Manish, what are Pre requisites for global management programme in spjimr? I have work experience of 36 months, Chartered Accountant with 66 percent and Good 10th and 12th percentages.
6 Oct 2018, 08.24 PM
+Read Replies (1)
Maneesh Ramanadham
Assistant Manager (EA) to the Senior Vice president at Zydus Cadila
Hi Sai, The programme essentially doesn't only focus on grades, but also on what value one brings to the class. You seem to have a decent work experience. But, you need to have either of GMAT/GRE/CAT/XAT scores. And a TOEFL/IELTS score, if you wish to apply for US B Schools. Do check out the website for more information: http://www.spjimr.org/gmp/admissions Best Wishes.
7 Oct 2018, 11.46 AM |
Sai teja Ramanujam
CA
Also, can you guide how can one approach for the interview and other entrance tests in sp Jain.
6 Oct 2018, 08.25 PM
+Read Replies (1)
SPJIMR Mumbai
Hi, SPJIMR has partnership with B Schools in Europe and US, each offering different kind of programs(MS/MBA) as per the work experience. They can choose the partner school and program as per their ambitions. Check out website for detailed information on various programs offered at SPJIMR.
7 Oct 2018, 11.19 AM |
CHALASANI SRINIVASULU
ASSISTANT MANAGER at BDL
Hi, can you please share your interview experience. It will be very helpful to us.
27 Dec 2018, 07.01 PM
CHALASANI SRINIVASULU
ASSISTANT MANAGER at BDL
Hi, congratulations for being part of the GMP program. Can you please share your interview experience. How to prepare for interview. What they will ask/ expect from participants. I am also planning to apply for Brandies MAIES. I am very thankful to you.
1 Jan 2019, 05.37 PM
+Read Replies (1)
Maneesh Ramanadham
Assistant Manager (EA) to the Senior Vice president at Zydus Cadila
Hi, typically you have 2 rounds of interviews, one of SPJIMR and the second with foreign universities. Interviews were grouped for us. So, one essentially gets 5 to 10 min in the first interview with SPJIMR. You may majorly need to speak about your work exp, your industry related events, your motivation to choose this program etc The same applies for foreign universities, where you need to go through their curriculum, your reasons for choosing a certain specialization, the university, the country etc. Good Luck with your interviews and apologies for the delay in reply.
5 Mar 2019, 10.01 PM |