During my graduation days, I had the vision to pursue MBA from a reputed institute, which can help me get a fancy job in management. While exploring options, IIMs were at the top priority list besides other institutes such as SP Jain, MDI, IIFT, etc. There was a very particular image of these institutes in my mind. I was convinced that if I get into one of these, my life is set. In short, I saw B-schools as just a place that has the magic of getting your dream jobs. The 100% placement figure acted as a catalyst to my belief.
Now, let's go back a little when I entered IIM Visakhapatnam on high expectations, thinking my life is set. As the companies started coming for summers, my eyes sparked to see the big names. Alas! I was not shortlisted. Oh! These companies might be looking for something else that I don't have. Maybe the next ones would probably shortlist me.
Companies after companies came, shortlisted my mates, selected few, and went. Guess what few months passed, and no companies shortlisted my resume. My belief that "get into a good B-School and life is Set" suffered a huge blow. Then I realized that I needed to improve my resume, desperately did some certifications, and started participating in competitions.
As I remember, I was shortlisted by a company around November. After clearing the GD, I was rejected in the second round. However, my resume started getting shortlisted after that, I sat in the processes and got rejected several times. My belief that" get into a good B-school and life is set" wholly shattered.
Oh, maybe my communication skills are not up to the mark. I started working on it. But let me tell you that you can't develop your communication skills overnight. I got many sleepless nights before I finally got selected by a company in January for a summer internship.
Guess what; I was one of the first set of students whose internship offers got revoked due to COVID-19. This heartbreaking news came during my end-term examination, and it gave me a shock. However, I got another internship offer soon from a start-up at the right time, thanks to our Placement Representatives' efforts.
I have just completed my summer internship, and it was in my favorite domain. I also got an opportunity to do a live project recently. Now I am doing another live project in a US-based company in my desired role. Hopefully, I will get an excellent full-time job as well when the time comes.
Does that mean that my belief in looking at IIMs as just a placement agency is justified?
My answer to this question would be an absolute "No." Although I am getting many opportunities to work for corporates, B-Schools are still much more than placements.
The reason I say this is many. First of all, one year at IIM-V showed me the mirror. After getting rejected by so many companies during summers, I was faced with reality. These rejections helped me explore myself. I now dare to face many more rejections. My emotional quotient has gone several notches up. I am very confident in my abilities. I am now more resilient than ever.
To build my resume, I did many courses, took part in various competitions, the learnings of which are only going to add to my skills and knowledge. My communication skills have improved a lot during these one year. I know how to work under pressure, thanks to placements and academics going hand in hand. Now, I understand the meaning of persistence, patience, and discipline.
During this one year, I also learned how to behave in a group, courtesy group tasks given by our professors. I met several new people and got to know different perspectives. I made many friends who helped me in many ways. They taught me some valuable lessons in life which are going to help me both professionally and in my personal life.
How can I forget the invaluable industry insights that I regularly get through the guest lectures? I would love to especially mention our sagacious professors who helped me gain the subject knowledge, which is an indispensable tool in every walk of life.
Above all, the most significant learning of my one year at IIM Visakhapatnam is that 'unless you can create some value for the corporates, you are useless in the corporate world. It doesn't matter whether you belong to IIMs or any other reputed B-Schools'.
Based on the above discussion, I would say that Business Schools are not just a placement agency. They are much more than that. Yes, B-schools provide you with better job opportunities that you won't get elsewhere. Still, they are an abode of various other learnings that help you both professionally and personally throughout your life.
Would you like to add something?
About the Author
MD MUKARRAM HUSSAIN ( IIM Visakhapatnam, PGP 2019-21)
