We are starting a new section 'Walk the Talk' on Complore.com where we will publish interview of mba students across the country. They will share their mba exam preparation experience as well as life in a mba college. Hope it will help you in your goal of making it to B School.
Today we are featuring Ankur Jain from prestigious IMT Gaziabad. He is an engineer from NIT Surat, loves to take part in debates and has won many prizes in college competitions.
1. Tell us something about yourself.
My name is Ankur Jain, I am a second year student of marketing in IMT Ghaziabad. I have just completed my Summer Internship in LIQVID eLearning company. Before joining IMT, I worked for two years in Atos Origin based out of Mumbai.
I am an engineer from NIT Surat. I have participated in many National level debate competitions.I have won some prizes in national level Marketing competitions also. I have played open National Badminton Championship.
2. Why did you choose IMT Gaziabad?
I could convert only IMT G, SIBM, SCMHRD, Great Lakes and Some IITs. So there was no difficult choice to be made. I wanted to do MBA in marketing and IMT Ghaziabad’s flagship course is Marketing. So I had only one choice and that is IMT G.
3. Tell us something about the life in a MBA college?
Hmmm, Life in a MBA college is awesome. This is the only time when you will see sun setting and moon shining all night but will never see sun shining in the morning. We have hectic classes. Hardly time passes when exams come again. Then lot of activities, competitions, clubs and committees. After all, we have to make our CV strong. I must tell you that this is the best time. We have to get prepared for everything. As contrary to preparation time for cultural nights in engg colleges, we get only one day where in all of us have to apply our managerial abilities.
Last moment PPTs, last minute changes in reports, submissions, quiz , sectional, mid terms, end terms, 80% attendance, night outs, canteen, badminton, tennis, cards, booz, music, movies, free internet, paranthas, some cool friends, bunking, sleeping in classes. This is what is all about LYF@MBA
4. What made you leave your well-settled job and go for a full time mba?
I got lot of good opportunities at my job. I handled a team of 10 people in a span of 10 months, which was quite commendable. I got promotions. But, I was doing same kind of job which my project manager was doing who had more than 10 years of work exp. I am sure every one in IT faces such problems as the growth intially is more than that at higher level. So doing MBA was the only option to shift my career path and I think I have made a right choice.
5. How did you study for mba entrance exam?
When I was doing my engg, At that time also I took CAT, but ambitions were to join only IIMs. So I knew what the CAT is all about, how to prepare and where to prepare. I joined full time classes in Mumbai, as having a self discipline is very difficult when you work 5 days a week and that too in the city of Mumbai. So joining the classes was a good option.
So attending weekend classes for 6 hours and continuously studying for 1-2 hours a day was my focus.
6. What was your strategy for GD/PI?
I cleared all most all my GD/PIs. Since I had an experience of facing GDs and PIs before so I knew how to keep myself cool. I was not so good in starting GDs, so I used to wait for some one who starts the GD then in most of the cases I was always second or third to enter. I never indulged in any one on one discussions. I used to show good body language, though fake but showing that I am highly interested.
I have a loud voice so I had to modulate a lot while starting and then continuing in the GD.
While in case of PIs, I had prepared some answers before for common questions like Tell us something about yourself, Why MBA, Why IMT or SIBM? Why Marketing or Finance? Why You want to Leave? Hobbies and Interests?
Since I had work experience, so after a small discussion my interview was used to revolve around my job profile, which I could handle very well.
7. According to you, what is the right time to go for an MBA. Should economic scenarios drive an individual MBA plans?
The right time to do MBA is not guided by external environment. If a candidate feels that he/she is ready to leave his/her job or want to continue studies, s/he should go ahead with MBA.
There is no recession for good students. People are still getting jobs, good companies are still hiring. Yes it is true that the hiring pattern has changed. Now companies have become more particular about fundamentals and academics. Now its difficult to negotiate packages.
Economic scenarios drive an individual’s decision to do MBA and it depends on lot of parameters. If a candidate is already earning 6-8 Lacs PA, there is no point in investing in MBA if the motive is to raise up to the corporate path. So then wait for either good College like IIMA or market conditions to stabilise. So the answer to question is very subjective and varies from candidate to candidate.
8. Any advice for future mba aspirants?
Work on the basics, try to solve as mans as mock tests and let us suppose If you spend 150 minutes solving question paper, spend atleast 450 minutes analysing the paper. If this is followed religiously, after every 600 minutes you will have 75 solid questions and concepts to be cracked.
Above all, Believe in yourself.
You can contact him by sending a mail to ankurjain2k [at] gmail [dot] com
