So, you’ve wrapped up your CAT prep, interviews are done, and now you’re just... waiting. Whether you’ve already got that dream B-school convert or are hopeful about the upcoming calls, this in-between period can feel weirdly empty. But here’s the good news—this is actually the perfect time to invest in yourself.
A lot of people who want to pursue management for the first time start off with questions and confusion. They frequently look for assistance because they are unfamiliar with the format of the exam and the admissions process. They can get this assistance from teachers, mentors, and increasingly, from online communities that help them at every stage.
“I've been where you are, and once I stopped comparing myself to others, I realized just how fortunate I am to be here. You'll come to that realization too.”
Consulting has always been one of the most sought-after career paths for MBA aspirants. The lucrative pay packages and diverse project opportunities make it a top choice among MBA graduates. However, the path to a consulting role isn't equally open for everyone as top firms like McKinsey, Bain, and BCG (collectively known as MBB) tend to hire primarily from the top IIMs, famously referred to as BLACKI (IIM Bangalore, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Kozhikode, Indore).
Have you heard the phrase, “All roads lead to Rome?” Well, we got one - “Any career leads to product management.” The career path of a PM is not a linear one & career transition to Product Management isn't either. Anyone with curiosity and the right attitude can walk the road to PM.
Feeling “completely out of place” is not how anyone wants to enter a B-School campus. But, truth be told, that is exactly how I felt on entering the IIM Nagpur campus. The first few weeks felt like I had landed on another planet. It wasn’t the demanding schedule or the inferiority complex. It was something much deeper- a cultural shock. Having lived at home for 22 years and being brought up in a certain way, this was my first time truly away, and I hadn’t expected to feel so different.
In this conversation from Universal Ai University, India’s 1st AI University, Dr. Simon Mak, the founding Vice Chancellor and India’s first American VC, shares his unique journey—from growing up in Hong Kong to studying at MIT, working in Silicon Valley, launching startups, and finally finding his calling in academia. Dr. Mak believes in pursuing opportunities over passion and dreams, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in a world increasingly shaped by AI.
