a) The Faculty- One must check with the alumni, the website and the current students about the faculty. Although being the least researched of all parameters for selecting a B-school, this is indeed important for any prospective MBA student. A good faculty base truly makes the investment on a B-school education worth it. One should research on the background of the current faculty, talk to the current batches about the number of visiting faculties and do research on the industries and other colleges they are associated with.
b) The Alumni and the Current Batch- Speak to a few alumni and also some students from the current batch to learn about their experiences. Ask as many questions as you can- about the college, the infrastructure, the environment, the clubs, the committees; in short: life at a B-school. Speak with the alumni with different backgrounds. Don't get influenced, but just learn and evaluate.
c) Return on Investment- Another thing that is crucial and must be considered before deciding on a B-school; the opportunity cost of 2 years of MBA. It basically involves just researching about what average package you can expect from the college to the total fees paid. This helps best when a student is in a dilemma to choose among three or four equally good colleges.
d) Job Profiles Offered- While choosing a B-school, most aspirants look at the average package that was offered which is an incorrect approach to gauge one’s future prospects in a B-school. It is understood that one is opting for MBA for a better career growth and good packages, but one always ignores the fact that a good profile is more important. Check for the profiles being offered to the students, the companies which visit, and the alumni network.
When should an MBA student ideally decide on which stream to take?
This might vary for different students. The key is, MBA would be the last step in the educational career of an individual so the stream should always be decided based on their personality and the interests. Some might explore these two things at the very start or even before coming to the college, while others may take a few months in realising their true calling. That is why, it is often said that experiment, come out of your comfort zone, explore your limits in the first year because that paves the way for you to build upon in the second year and in the future ahead.
Drawing from your experience, what advice would you like to offer to students appearing for summers and final placement interviews?
These days, companies don't just hire interns for two months only but they look out for their prospective full-time employees. As a first year student, an individual has to convince the panel that he/she is fit, not only for those two months but as a full-time employee in the organisation. This might not guarantee a full-time job for him/her but it definitely enhances his/her chances and creates a good first impression. Stick to the fundamentals during the preparations and be clear in your thought process. Lastly, learn to cope up with the pressure during the whole interview process when the going gets tough.
For students going into their summer internships, what should they expect from the internship? How to make best use of it?
Some companies have structured Summer Internship Programs where they offer certain ongoing or new projects which have defined deliverables planned across 2 months. Some do not have that structured a program and often provide a project or task on an ad-hoc basis, that is equally important for the organisation. In both the scenarios, the intern should focus on getting their work done in the most correct and efficient manner. Learn from your fellow interns and team members. Get a flavour of your organisation's work culture and interact with the people around you. Showcase efficiency and never say no to any kind of work being offered in those 2 months.
For students starting their careers as Management Trainees (MT), what is expected of them and what should they look out for?
Organisations invest a lot in their management trainees and expect an individual, who is self-motivated, to make a difference to their organisation. MTs need to be flexible and willing to take up new opportunities and be innovative in their approach. An MBA student gets to be a Management Trainee just once in their career, and their work does not just speak for themselves, but for their college as well. The approach should be to learn and strive for excellence and always keep in mind that they are creating an impression about their alma mater. It’s crucial and it is also the best experience one can get. Make the best out of it!
What was your key learning at IIM Rohtak that has been most helpful in your career so far?
The two most important takeaways for me have been self-sufficiency and adaptability, which have helped me immensely in my career so far. There is no growth in comfort and 18 months at IIM Rohtak taught me to get out of my comfort zone, handle multiple tasks together and make the best use of the limited resources. There will be setbacks, but all we need to do is to stand up again and put the best foot forward.
What is your advice to the students at IIM Rohtak?
Never take rest. Be a part of clubs and committees because they give you a pool of opportunities to learn and grow. Even if you are not, there are various events which take place in the college throughout the year. Volunteer and strive to make a difference through your contribution in those events. Interact with your peers and participate in B-school competitions. Apart from good exposure, the competitions aid in identifying your strengths and help you to develop a different thought process and perspective altogether. Moreover, these embellish your resume as well.
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