HOW IBS GURGAON TRANSFORMED MY LIFE: MY EXPERIENCE AT A BUSINESS SCHOOL

Business school is fascinating and taxing at the same point of time. There is always something new to learn and discover, from the strenuous coursework to the networking prospects, many engagements to keep you on your toes.

It wasn’t any different with my first business school experience. When I started my PGPM degree at IBS Gurgaon, I was both anxious and eager. On the one hand, I had a strong desire to learn from experienced professionals and acquire the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in my career. On the other hand, I was worried whether I would be able to keep up with the workload of rigorous study. I was determined to succeed despite the heavy workload and competition.

When I first arrived at campus, I was astounded by the diversity of my classmates. With people from all over the country and from different backgrounds and industries coming together at one place, I knew that diversity would be a valuable asset while in business school.

The first few weeks were a storm of orientation sessions, icebreakers, and interactions with classmates. The faculty and staff were very helpful and supportive, making it clear that they were there to help us succeed and were available whenever we needed them.

The orientation event had a keynote address by the director of the college, who discussed the value of disruption and innovation in today’s corporate environment. He underlined that for companies to remain competitive and relevant, they must constantly adapt and evolve and so do the students.

Following by a panel discussion featuring college alum who shared their experiences and insights on various topics such as leadership, entrepreneurship, and career development, I found their stories incredibly inspiring, and it was clear that business school has played a significant role in their career development.

The networking possibilities are among the most outstanding advantages of a business school. I’ve had the chance to converse with professionals from numerous backgrounds and fields. I made valuable connections for my future career and gained knowledge from their viewpoints and experiences.

As soon as class started, I was blown away by the intensity of the coursework. The workload was heavy, and the tasks and projects were challenging, but I was determined to take the opportunity. I quickly realized that the best way to be successful in a business school was to surround you with a supportive group of classmates. The group that would keep you organized, help to utilize your time effectively, and support you.

One of the highlights of my first semester was participating in one of the group projects in my class. We were asked to create a business plan for a new startup company and had to present that to a panel of investors. It was a challenging as well as a rewarding experience, and it was great to see how the concepts and knowledge learned in class are applied in the real world. I had the opportunity to participate in guest speaker events and networking events. These events helped me to learn from experienced professionals and helped me make valuable connections in the business world.

The numerous events and activities that the IBS Gurgaon held helped to strengthen my sense of community as well. Through organising events, guest lecturers, and social gatherings, I have connected with my classmates and interacted with them. It also includes lectures and panel discussions on different subjects, like financial analysis, digital marketing, and negotiating techniques. These courses were led by seasoned professionals and offer beneficial real-world information and abilities that I can use in my career.

Business school students are benefited from internships as well, because they get to put their classroom learning to use in real-world scenarios. During my first year at college, at a substantial consumer durables company where I interned, I nabbed real-world marketing experience.

The dynamic and quick-paced nature of the work was the first thing I noticed when I began my internship. I was given numerous tasks and became entirely engrossed in projects, which helped me pick up skills quickly and boost my self-assurance. I have had the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, from conducting market research to creating marketing campaigns.

The value of collaboration and teamwork was one of the most important lessons I discovered throughout my internship. I quickly understood that cooperation was essential to accomplish our goals since the company’s marketing department mainly comprised individuals with diverse backgrounds and abilities. I gained knowledge about the value of communication and how to persuade my coworkers of my ideas and thoughts.

I also had the chance to be present at meetings with clients and other stakeholders and attend them. I had an opportunity to learn about all facets of the marketing procedure, like pitching ideas and negotiating deals. I discovered how crucial it is to comprehend the demand of customers and the significance of market research to make crucial decisions.

Along with the abilities and knowledge I acquired, I also had the opportunity to interact with other professionals in the field. I got to meet a number of experts in the marketing industry, and they have all given me insightful tips and advice on how to succeed in the corporate world. It gave me a better understanding of the various career options in the marketing industry and a firmer concept of what I wanted to do when I graduated.

Ultimately, I had a rewarding and valuable internship experience. It empowers me to put what I’ve learned in class into practice outside of the classroom and obtain practical experience in my area of interest. My internship gave me knowledge and abilities that will be useful in my future profession. Overall, experience at IBS Gurgaon was challenging but incredibly gratifying. I learned a lot, academically and practically, and made many valuable connections. I look forward to continuing my education and seeing where it will take me in future. I’ve gained knowledge about the industry and myself, and I’m grateful for the chances and experiences I’ve had. For those who prepare to put in the effort and seize the opportunity, it can be a worthwhile and enriching experience.

Shikha Rani

Batch 2022-24

10 BOOKS EVERY MBA ASPIRANT SHOULD READ!

Raghav is a voracious reader.

From an early age, he was fond of reading and keeping a collection of different genres of books. The one who reads knows the importance of book reading habits, so he continued his habit of reading without any lag after getting into an MBA college. His book-reading habit helped him understand the qualities required by an MBA aspirant.

Now if the question strikes your mind, which books? you’re on the right track.

Let’s dive into the list of important books every MBA aspirant should read once:

1. “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz

The author of this book, Ben Horowitz is a rap fan and also the co-founder of one of Silicon Valley’s most successful ventures, Andreeson Horowitz. In this book, he has stated that there is no specific formula for dealing with setbacks and has offered lessons from career path, on how to deal with things when they don’t go as per plan.

2.“The Innovators Dilemma” by Clayton M. Christensen

The author of this book, Late Clayton M. Christensen was a Business Administration Professor at Harvard Business School where he developed a theory of disruptive innovation. In this book, the author has explained the answers to the question of why success is difficult to sustain and how to systematically innovate it.

3. “Blue Ocean Strategy” by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne

The author of this book has explained that not every time it is important to match or beat your competitors, as there are always other options waiting for you.

4. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho

In his book, Paulo Coelho, the author of this book has narrated the story of a boy with the fact that a recurring dream is a prognostic one. The theme of this book is to find one ‘s destiny. The book tells how one should pave the way to reach dreams.

5. “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki

In this book, the author has explained the importance of financial independence and wealth building by investing in real estate as well as ways of how one can increase financial intelligence to improve business and financial skills. The author has summarised his own story highlighting the different attitudes towards the money, work, and life of two men, as the title suggests- Rich Dad and Poor Dad.

6. “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell

In this book, the author has summarized various stories that become successful only when associated with hard work, dedication, and motivation and has stated the importance of timing, circumstances, and cultural heritage.

7.” Connect the dots” by Rashmi Bansal

This book is written keeping the Indian audience in mind. It consists of stories with the fact that everyone dreams big and many make it happen but how? That’s what the author has mentioned in her book.

8. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” – Stephen R Covey:

This book is a set of guiding principles that helps one in bringing personal as well as professional change in becoming more effective. The seven habits that have been explained in the book are – to be proactive; to begin with the end in mind; to put first things first; to think win-win; to seek first to understand, then to understand, and in the end to synergize.

9. “Lean In Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” by Sheryl Sandberg

In this book, the author has mentioned the various issues faced by women employees in any firm like inequality at workplaces against women. She has also stated how women through small changes can empower themselves.

10. “Too Big To Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System from Crisis “— and Themselves by Andrew Ross Sorkin

These books tell the story of people in finance and politics and how they deal with success, greed, and failure, which ultimately lead to the collapse of the global economy.

 Learnings from the above-mentioned books:

– Understanding the ways to deal with various  issues in a systematic manner

– Learning from real stories

– Importance of basic parameters like time management and teamwork etc.

– Understanding how every book adds value to an individual’s thought process.

MBA is one of the most hopeful decisions taken by a majority of students. Graduates after completion of their course are expected to work in various fields with a mind full of exposure. To work in diverse fields you need various employability skills. And to help develop that ability and skills like critical thinking, teamwork, leadership etc. Every aspirant is suggested to read a few important books which help the aspirations to build in those qualities.

Have you read any of these books?

Share your views in the comments!

Keep Reading, Keep Learning!

Ishita Jain

Batch 2022-24