Journey to Director's Merit List (DML)

The spontaneous one that changed my life

 Although I did my Bachelor’s in Management, doing an MBA was not on my list anytime soon. I was into Actuarial science and I was preparing for a lot of other things as well. As I had a lot of time on my hand, I decided to write CAT for the sake of getting an insight into this most coveted and sought-after exam. Little did I know that this would write the city of destiny in my destiny. I had really little time to prepare but still, I managed to secure admission in IIM Visakhapatnam, and I thought of embracing this wonderful opportunity because this doesn’t happen often.

 

Through the medium of this write-up I would like to convey the thought that sometimes toughest challenges can be tackled brilliantly, even when you’re unprepared, provided you have the required grit, determination, perseverance, and efforts all at a place.

 

Initially, I found adjusting really hard. The struggle doesn’t end with the results, rather it begins there. And I realized the same at that time. I wasn’t mentally prepared for even the fact that I will have to leave my home and live far away from my family, let alone dealing with a course this taxing. But with time I realized that people who have been preparing this for months are facing exactly what I am facing. I realized that the roadblocks are there only in my head. Those sleepless nights, group meetings, night-long interview processes, never-ending case discussions, the jampacked schedules, surprise assignments, impromptu interviews; everything was not just a mere challenge posed in front of me. You know how pressure turns coal into diamonds. All of these challenges were that external force, that pressure! All that brought the best out of me. MBA does touch your life in ways you cannot even imagine. It may not guarantee you a corporate job, that’s not what it is meant for. But it does make you someone worthy of handling/ initiating giant corporates/ ventures that are changing the lives of many. Even by the end of the first year, you won’t be able to recognize yourself from one year ago, for you would have seen tremendous growth in yourself.

 

I am the girl who could make it to the Director’s Merit List and was awarded the best intern title during my summer internship and one live project (on-campus) as well. Who would believe that I am the same girl who didn’t even seriously consider the thought of doing MBA a until a few months ago? All that I would say is that it doesn’t take a lot. It just takes a little, constantly. A little more than you can so that you get a little more than you wished for. All along the way, self-introspection is quite important so that you know what needs to be revamped, adapting is important because change is the only constant, and nothing can teach you that better than the combo of your life and a B-school. But above all, it is also important for you to take a break and reward yourself. Keep the hustle on but know where you need to fasten the pace, slow it down, take a break or change the course. Find your own ways, build your own strategies, keep experimenting. Do what you never did before, you will definitely unravel a lot of surprises and realizations on the way. Fall down but get up stronger. No matter where you are now, deciding which would be the first day for the next journey is something that’s always in your hands. So, don’t wait or hesitate; take all the gravel and the sand you can find and make pearls! :)

About the Author

Divya Gupta, IIM Visakhapatnam (PGP 2019-21)

• Merit List Director’s Merit List holder

• Fujitsu Intern of the Year 2020

• IAI member: Cleared CT1, CT2, CT3, CT5 & CT7

• Completed bachelor’s in management from DDUC, DU