Basket of Choices

So you are done with the core terms, and probably have gone in and bid for your subjects like you wanted to. Some got it, some didn't. Most of all, people who wanted to go in for exchange programmes, they find themselves disappointed - some more because they didn't get the desired institute, others less because now they have to think of funding the stay & accommodation in a foreign country. And the remaining find themselves wondering, which major to choose, whether it will make a difference, what if I don't get the subject of the famed prof. etc. Well thinking back on it, it seems they were all trivial. You probably won't make the correct choice of all the subjects, or get allocated all of them. And more commonly than not, you end up not attending lectures of subjects you weren't able to pick up, even if they didn't clash with your schedule. And there's nothing bad about it, we are there to learn management right? Time most of all.

Coming to time, there's only going to be 24 hours of it everyday. So if one thing you should learn to manage within this year are those 24 hours. More than anything, you would be luckiest if you find out, what you really want to do in the most limited resource of our daily lives (with all due respect to Sir Einstein and others suggesting time is relative to frame of reference). In my experience, you better find this out in a zone where you can make some mistakes, than sulk over it when you are back in the real world, where every wrong step forward just entangles you in a web, you don't want to be in at all. Because once this ISB experience is over, the evaluation of satisfaction vs. dissatisfaction will knock on your rationale more strongly than ever.

Coming back to the switch to the next 6 months in ISB, once the core terms are over, the study groups that you have worked with (or made it a point not to work with), are disbanded, for better or for worse. So now you are off to see some fruits of your established self-image among the crowd or others affinity for you to work closer to them or a random set of team procurement and management practices. I think this is so close to what happens in a work place environment, that it might just help everyone get accustomed to the fact that Life is truly like a box of chocolates - You never know what you gonna get! But by this time, the feeling of having an assured pay check by the end of another 6 months or so, will sink so deep, that it will start freaking out people regarding what after ISB. Almost like you feel who thinks the glass is half empty or half full. And they're not wrong, in either case. But what is right is, to realize how you are going to get what you ultimately wanted from the school - return on investment.

If I haven't said this before (and even if I have), very few actually are able to switch their industries from their prior experience and fewer still prior business functions. And unless you really have a good case, you are always better off focusing on your strengths, than try and build up on your weak points for an industry you would be interested in. Talking about cases, this is the time when all the consulting aspirants should get into the full flow of case discussions, evaluations, mock sessions and even tell someone to rip your own logic, respect and temperament in mock interviews. There's a lot to revise, and still more to learn, so they are better off doing it. And the recruiters will steadily started pushing their pitches. Some of us have the gift of networking, and will probably be able to make some good connections with the representatives evaluating candidates listening in to their 'Pre-Placement Talk'. Remaining of us, might (or might not) get insights about the company or the opportunities they offer, if it hasn't been researched thoroughly online.

Now in my opinion, for recruiters, Finance, Marketing & Operations will always be the 3 core areas of MBA studies, the 4th being HR, which is not yet offered in our bouquet of majors. And these are more like affirmations for your existing work experience and an assurance that a traceable path of domain can be attached to your profile. And if your work experience is the highlight of your resume, these may as well just be ignored. So choose your major as per your interest. Don't take up subjects you don't think you will ever practice again, unless you get stuck with them. And please please, don't let your grades drop, because you ended up making a mistake with a subject beyond your grasp. Study hard, or seek help even harder, to maintain what you have achieved so far, if not grow it. Also probably the best time to party, since the rigor is still to come, and half of the deed is done. And there is no better place I have partied at knowing almost everyone on the floor... honestly. So literally, Work Hard, Party Harder!!!

P.S. Cutting it short here, because want to start afresh from when the placement experience commences :D

Racers, Pacers and Procrastinators....

Well I guess you feel it's gonna be a ball of a time.. Atleast the fun part. "It Depends"! Learn these words. These are going to be the beginning, middle and end of many arguments, discussions and analysis. Anyhow, as the first term starts, you realize your comfort zones in terms of subjects, whether it be finance, marketing, analysis or none (It's ok! You can accept it.). Let's get the sensitive topic out first: Placement.
One thing that will go a long way as studies start is read a lot on the subject you like, the sector you want to get a job in and training yourself to work with a lack of sleep, disciplined or otherwise. Start evaluating yourself as a recruiter and working on what your profile lacks. The supposed CAS are not magicians neither accountable to you get a job. Know what you want to do, and if you haven't worked in that sector before, do everything you can on campus to show some performance. ELPs don't help unless you can get a job offer based on it and turn up to be a headache if not relevant or exciting. Talk to people for jobs early on, and ask them whether there are opportunities like graduate programs that you can apply for. First of all, only 5% of your emails and calls will be reverted to in this regard, even in the alumni community. Don't keep hard feelings if they don't respond. They have worse situations to address. What we end up wondering is what we are going to talk about when somebody does respond. Talk to them, don't just start begging for a job (literally or figuratively). If nothing score a friendly acquaintance if nothing else. Get your expectations right before you submit yourself to the grandeur of various profiles.
Secondly, start using that amazing internet speed to do research in your sector, other than fast movie and music downloads (and of course video chats!!). Personally, I didn't do it, and I haven't ended up very well by class standards, at least yet; while others who did have. Next, if you have an offer early on, don't fret on the money. You can use that to up the game in next negotiation. Start updating yourself on the subjects and industry in terms of general knowledge.
Now I know all this sounds tough... Well you're wrong. It's tougher! You have subjects you need to ace (or pass - based on your choices), group dynamics to manage, competitions to win, student body representative duties, chit chat with friends and, of course, party. And all these are very important. These are the things that will allow you to have some fun and make friends (if you're lucky, then some of them for life), and not make it a black ops training alone.

But what I noticed many people forgetting is the opportunity to learn, not from the books and classes, but from people. Your peers are sources of highly sought after industry experiences (why do you think the recruiters pay such absurd packages to ISBians) and not so popular life experiences. Share and learn. It's better than bitching about (all the time :D) who's sleeping with whom, who did what, why system sucks, and who's kissing which ass. It's good to know, but stupid to ponder over them. And do what your heart likes the most.
What I didn't forget was that this was an year, and the last one in a long time to come, where I could explore my interests and enjoy a whole lot of money spent. And that's one thing I don't regret. I have seen people enjoying cooking, learning squash and tennis, relishing the swimming pool, realizing ambitious business ideas and even improving their first-liners in parties. Learn dancing, speak a new language, try to make a habit of exercise and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE cherish the campus living. Most probably you won't get it ever again, and it's a life you will miss- no second thoughts whatever you may feel during it.
Spend as much time as you can with your study group and section mates. You will automatically find a comfortable group but they are what I have come to know as a family. And don't make too much of fights. Learn to get over differences and you will be surprised how welcome everyone can make you feel. I am not understating when I say, I miss the fact that we all aren't living together and get to see each other frequently. I miss my friends almost to the brink of turning time back.
While you are traversing through the core terms, don't procrastinate on what you want to do. Chances are, if you don't start early on, you would end up not doing them at all.
From,
Sambhav Jain

Ph. +91 - 8008554901
(BlackBerry® sourced)

The Beginnings

Looking back, the motives with which I started my MBA were too short of my experiences during this one year at ISB. And I couldn't have anticipated them all either. My ambitions were like any regular MBA applicant, half of them fulfilled when u gain an admission letter from a top-tiered institute. All preparations done, tickets booked, luggage packed, goodbyes said, I left my place thinking I knew what was coming. But beginning from the first day of registration the caliber of your family for next year hits you, and so does the reality check of being an MBA student.

DE - Orientation??
The first chapter of life at ISB is about the orientation week. You suddenly see the peers who are going to be with you for the entire year, and even before you see the campus. You will see them on your flight, in your train and on Google groups n Facebook. If you are from a metro, you've already met some and decided on which gangs will be cool to hang out with.
The pillared entrance to the gate is nothing short of awe-inspiring. (I know someone who kissed the ground after passing through it.) And suddenly you're transported to an expanse of a bubble, which will brand you forever. The road to reception and Student Villages (SVs) is banked by trees and rocks and signs that say 'Drive carefully. Peacocks crossing'. They are serious. And when you approach the SV assigned to you, its nothing short of a brand-new colony, with each SV having its own unique specialties. And you collect the keys to your quad/studio only to realize that it's more comfortable than so many places you put up in while working.
Moving out of the SV to register yourself, you come to witness the grandeur of the academic centre. Built in between all the 4 SVs, its literally the centre of everything in ISB. And the atrium is the symbol of its capacity for research and support - as much as you can make of it. I still want to see those big fans become storm-makers again. There's Cafe Coffee Day and our cohort's contribution to menu.. A dedicated Subway counter. Anyhow, we'll ponder on food later. For now, one will be taken in by the plethora of tasks one has to undertake to get registered. And this is when you start introducing yourself to peers that you know nothing about, and vice-versa. And once these tasks are over and everyone's gathered in atrium for the address by the Dean, you see the strength of your family... 570+ in our case.
What the dean told us didn't leave that much of an impact then, as I now wish it had. 'Grades don't matter as long as you focus on what you want to take away from ISB. For some it will come with grades, for some it will come through everything but grades. Just remember, this is a year one takes away from life to be, redefine and explore who they are.' But all of us did first were geared up to run after grades. Anyhow, this is how one welcomes ISB-ians. :)
Now the concept of study groups is foreign to many like it was to me. Now many would say a study group is your make or break for the first four or CORE terms as far as grades are concerned, because in courses the grading is not only dependent on your individual performance, but also the group's performance in group assignments. Still, I think it's a learning experience and a chance of how you work and make the most of teams you can't change. While your group is assigned to you, last year's cohort has activities planned out for you to get familiar with campus, get to know your fellow students and many alums, the section mantras, and put you all on the same page. There would definitely be a cultural event organized with inter-section competition. Get to know your section at this opportunity and use this to exhibit the talent side of yours, rather than compete. Shout out your section mantras till your throat gives in. And mix up. Don't be hesitant or proud to mix with anyone. You will all be eventually going through the same hell soon. ;)
If you haven't partied in a club before (or even if you have) be ready for an eyeful. If nothing else, ISB is worth attending just because of its all night parties. You can dance, drink, flirt, crib, sing, chill or anything within the consensual boundaries. We pride ourselves on the social culture we maintain at ISB and don't take any deviation lightly. You will too as the year passes. But enjoy the parties to the fullest. Find love if you can. Else just enjoy the company of some of the smartest brains in the country shaking it on the floor. Its an opportunity to improve your fashion sense (guys listen up!), which really does hold importance as you move up the corporate ladder. And of course find the likewise connoisseurs of liquor.
There will be pre-term classes, which I think don't add much value. Probably none except the Accounts class. But that too if Credit/Debit is as foreign to you as a Greenlander. Enjoy the campus meanwhile, and the Rec(reation) Center. Gym, swimming, basketball, squash, tennis.. You better take up one else you will be regretting not using it ever again in your life, except of course if you have these facilities at your disposal at or near home. Eat out with newly found group mates, interested friends, ask out prospects on dates and don't mess it up if you get rejected. You're there to make friends. Check out the titles in LRC (Library) and the joints out of campus. Hard Rock Cafe, Novotel, Esta, Syn, Karachi Bakery, Nautanki Gali.. Some of what Hyderabad has to offer, as far as the palate goes. And get prepared for the terms to start...