The following are Ipshita Peters’s set of responses to a questionnaire floated amongst MBA graduates to determine the top-50 Most Employable MBA Graduates of the Class of 2022. Amongst the massive number of entries and responses being evaluated, Ipshita's story and profile stood out. Here's her story in her own words.
Name an instance where you wanted something and went out of your comfort zone to achieve it OR Tell us the biggest risk you have taken so far in your life.
Before I began my undergrad, I had a few options in front of me about the field of study I wanted to pursue. My parents tried to push me towards something more traditional- a degree in economics or management studies perhaps- but I was intent on pursuing English Literature, a subject I have always been passionate about. I was told constantly about the many disadvantages of making this decision, the most recurring ones among them being fewer career prospects and a low-paying job. A degree in the humanities is also often not well-respected in society, and I was also unsure about what I would pursue after I had completed my degree. However, I have always believed that one must go down the path they are good at and passionate about, and so I felt like this risk was worth taking. In retrospect, I have absolutely no regrets about that decision. I thoroughly enjoyed my three years at college, and my degree has also given me a unique skillset that has come to my aid many times since then.
When was the last time someone relied on you? OR What did you do which was purely for someone else - a truly selfless act.
I strongly believe that it is the small acts of kindness we commit every day that can bring a change in someone elses life, rather than the bigger, stand-alone gestures. Even the tiniest selfless acts like being kind to a stranger, striking up a conversation with them or giving them something at a time of need go a long way in making someone feel better. This is why I make it a point to be kind and respectful to every single person I meet- the cleaners, watchmen, cooks, cab drivers and even the food delivery guys. Often when we have big celebrations at home we get extra food and snacks to distribute to the people who work in our building, it never fails to bring a smile to their face. While on campus I make it point to greet our dorm cleaners and guards and strike up a conversation with them. They are always grateful to have someone to talk to. Everybody is entitled to basic human dignity and respect, and the kindest thing we can do is to treat them as such.
Tell us about a time when you disagreed with an opinion/idea/decision. What did you do about it?
A common theme Ive noticed across most of the top MBA colleges today is the romanticization of having a hectic workload and erratic sleep schedule. In a world where most companies are trying to promote a healthy work-life balance, MBAs still revere those who burn the midnight oil and show little care towards their physical well-being. During my first week of college, I was narrating to a friend my experience of a hectic few days that were peppered with multiple deadlines and late-night study sessions. Rather than disparage me, I was shocked to see my friends look of admiration and respect, as if this way of living was something to be desired. Since then I have made it a point to not just focus on my own work-life balance, but try and convince my peers to do the same.
What is the one thing you can claim to have some level of expertise or depth of knowledge in - it could be anything - a subject, a sport, a hobby, a venture, an initiative which has led you to do deep work in that field?
Given my love for literature, there are two things that I have always been passionate about, that go hand-in-hand with each other- reading and writing. Both are hobbies that I have been doing since as long as I can remember, and will probably continue to do for many more years to come. Ever since I first learned how to read, I have harboured a secret passion of becoming an author, which led me to spend most of my free time devouring any story I came across and attempting to write some of my own. As I grew older I began to read non-fiction- anything from biographies of important inventors to narratives about the great wars of history. While keeping up with this hobby has been difficult alongside the rigour of doing an MBA, I still try to read at least 30-40 books a year. These hobbies have allowed me to amass information about various subjects that I would never have come across in any other situation, and have instilled in me a habit that I believe will benefit me for the rest of my life. Writing has also allowed me to express myself fully, which is great for my mental health during stressful times and has given me a deep and active imagination.
If 10 Million Dollars (approximately INR 75 Crores) is given to you to use it any way you deem fit what would you do with this corpus?
A Nelson Mandela once said, Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Given the vast impact that books have had on my life, I would spend the bulk of the corpus setting up libraries for underprivileged children in rural communities who would otherwise not have access to good books. With the remaining bit, I would treat my parents to a lavish holiday. Without they scarifies they have made for me I would not be where I am today, and this would be a small way to give back to them.
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Comments
Yashi Srivastava
"Most Employable MBA" , seriously. Whats your survey sample space? Stop such baseless awards
13 Jan 2022, 10.09 AM
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Debayan Purkayastha
Hi Yashi, this is not a survey. It's an annual competition we have been running for the last 8 years. The competition is open to final year students of all B-Schools in India. The competition has a set of questions that bring out the leadership qualities of the students. The answers to the questionnaire displaying leadership qualities: 80% weightage and 20% weightage to profile (academic background, achievements). Based on the score, we arrived at the top 50.
14 Jan 2022, 12.35 AM |