College, Clubs And Committees: Co-Curriculars At A B-School

Stakeholder Management

Being a part of a committee also opens you up to the possibility of handling multiple stakeholders: your own team, other committees, vendors, audience, faculty and administration; all of whom have a direct or indirect impact on the work that you do, or vice versa. You learn how to pitch your ideas in a way that is convincing, how you take together multiple requirements and arrive at a consensus, and how to navigate through a political landscape, address conflict and confrontation.

Team Dynamics

No committee can thrive as a one-person army. Constant, effective and clear communication is needed between teams to yield results and carry out initiatives that are most impactful. While all of this may seem to be of no consequence in a larger time frame, the learning that one derives from being in a college committee adds significant value to your personality. You learn to be an active listener, synergise your goals for a larger vision and work together to do the best that you can as a team. (and of course, the fun that you have as a team counts for some of the best memories on-campus life!)

Domain-Specific Knowledge

Another major aim of these committees is to also enable you to apply your classroom learning to your committee initiatives. You get to exercise your theoretical understanding and turn it into practical application. Concepts from HR, Marketing or Finance; all can come handy to increase your effectiveness as a committee member.   

Understanding Management

The core aim of a course in management is for us to become better at handling a pool of tasks given to us - to understand, analyse, prioritise and deliver accordingly. By being in a committee, you learn management and multitasking in a way that you cannot learn otherwise. You become equipped to handle multiple instructions and be quicker in your response since you are constantly juggling academics with your committee responsibility.

Enhancing your Profile

Most of these committees are well established, with their respective legacies and stories. Batches after batches, year on year see students become a part of these committees, work with a vision and hand it over to the junior batch. In a way, these committees become a family of their own, across batches.  These committees make for a great point on your resume, and also for a great talking point during your interviews. It helps in forming an instant connect with your alumni, thereby assisting you in building connections and networks. Long story short, it is crucial to look beyond just the academics and aim at building your skillset, being open to testing new, unsteady waters and forming some of the best memories during your two year MBA life!