Crackverbal has been a part of my journey from the time I researched on whether I needed to do an MBA. Some insightful videos on the youtube channel led me to their GMAT course and then taking help with applications too. I am thankful for all their help.
I know normally people put debriefs after they get an admit. However, I guess last year was too much to handle for all of us( It continues to be so though). I want to thank the community that motivates everyone to get to their dream careers.
A brief about myself
My graduation was in mechanical engineering from the NIT Surathkal. I was recruited to Coal India Ltd, where I worked for 6 yrs.
My reason to explore doing an MBA
End of 2018, work was going great, but I wanted to do something more.
I wasn't aware of the one-year MBA programs. And my research on Youtube and lots of videos on Crackverbal channel, I got to know about what might be required to get into a good MBA program. I started building that thought process. I wanted to understand whether a person from PSU will be able to shift to the corporate sector. I got mixed information and a lot of confusion around whether B-schools will accept people with my kind of background with 5+ years of experience.
Once I was very clear about that, I started preparing, and fortunately, everything went well. The GMAT and Application process were very different from the exams I had prepared for earlier. I think with GMAT, it was more of a quality preparation than a quantity preparation. So with a very limited amount of time, if you plan it well, I think you can get excellent results. I think it's a feasible option, especially for people who have work experience. After my research, I also weighed my options on schools in India and abroad and finally decided on Indian schools.
So I had applied to three schools IIM A , B and C. I worked with Crackverbal for my applications, and everything went really smoothly. This process helped me in the one year I spent in IIM B too. My learnings from this process also helped me channelize my energy to what I wanted to do post MBA. So throughout my MBA, I could focus on improving on those areas that got me closer to my goal.
Some important things I learned from this process
The importance of research. - It's not only about the schools but also making sure why you want to do it. It's very important to be totally convinced before taking the plunge.
Understand that there is a transition required in the way you think too. In every aspect, it's essential to keep an open mind and learn more.
Put a lot of effort into this process. Be consistent and work towards it.
Once you are clear, the journey is easy.
My MBA at IIM B
I could leverage my experience at PSU and, at the same time, learn from others. The classes at campus started at around 9:30 am. I am an early riser, and I loved the beautiful campus. I spent most of my mornings playing badminton or tennis at the courts there. Our classes were till about 5-6 pm. After a small break, we used to start working on our project work assignments. There were so many zoom meetings because some people were not on the campus. We used to have lots of meetings as our classmates were from everywhere in the country. There was a lot of pre-work we had to do before each case session too. We had a packed schedule. Since it's a one-year program, you have to go full throttle from the start. There is no scope to go slow. There are a lot of smart people and too much competition. Everyone is coming with experience. The stakes are a lot higher, and because of that, the pressure builds up too.
However, one very significant advantage we have of this course is that the cohort is so experienced that the quality of interactions is very enriching. Many professors also told me that the way they conduct classes for the students(2 yr program) v/s our batch difference in interactions and discussions is very evident.
I would say that when you think of pursuing this MBA pursue it not just for any material benefits of getting that steep rise in your income or for fame, that definitely will also count, but do it more for that intellectual pleasure.
I have enjoyed the whole process and look forward to joining a consulting firm soon.
Finally, something which I realized very early in my MBA journey. The ROI of an MBA programme should be judged at the end of 15-20 years and not at the moment the placement process ends. Think BIG, Think LONG & Enjoy the PRESENT.
All the best to all the aspirants! Good luck.