Despite Financial Crises, the MBA Programme Served as a Boon for Shubham

In India, it is a belief that an MBA program encourages elitism. Based on this fact every year several students fight to get admission to top IIM universities for their MBA program. I rarely believe that all universities are good enough to provide valued MBA programs that are industry-linked and focus on experiential learning. I was one of those who wanted to crack CAT and work in the top MNCs at a high profile. Hi All! My name is Shubham Tiwari & I belong to Allahabad, UP. My family was not financially able to pay off fees for my elder brothers and me altogether, so I didn't want my parents to get financially burdened by sending me to a coaching institute or center for preparations. Earlier I tried to take the government exams but failed to crack despite many attempts. I wanted my family to come out of the financial crises that we were facing - the pressure of loans, low income, and poor business. But my main concern was how to achieve my goal with less finance.

I wanted to pursue an MBA but it required huge fees. I used to do freelancing and a part-time job in digital marketing during my graduation. My income was limited so I decided to take an education loan for an MBA. I was searching for the cheapest education loans and chose PNB. As I was passionate about going into one of the leading companies in India, I had to roll a lot of flatbread to get there. I decided to join one of the leading universities to live up to my dream of becoming a Supply Chain Manager. I took admission to Quantum University in Roorkee as it ensured Assured Placement (APMP). It was the only hope to achieve my goal. While I was freelancing, I used to work for e-commerce, retail shops, cafes, and a few hotels as a part of my project. I had developed a little knowledge related to different businesses.

It was my last semester when I had to go for the internship program. After getting interviewed by a no. of esteemed companies, I was fortunate to get shortlisted as a Supply Chain intern at Mahindra Logistics, Noida. Supply Chain Management boosts customer service, reduces operating costs & improves financial positions. No matter if you are dealing with day-to-day product flows or with an unexpected natural disaster, a supply chain manager will roll up his sleeves and get back to work sooner. I was dedicated to my work as it was my field of interest & I had to get financially independent as quickly as possible. It was a 6 months internship where I got to know the hierarchy of management and operations of various departments at Mahindra. I have been lucky enough to have worked with industry experts and learned about offline and online supply chain management. I followed my seniors and took guidance on how things work.

After my internship, I gave interviews with top companies that had come for the placement drive. There were companies like IBM, Microsoft India Corporation, Pepsi, Sony & more. When I was interviewed by IBM, they were proud of my endeavors. I was hired for the post of Assistant Supply Chain Manager where my task was to coordinate with the Supply Chain Department under the guidance of my head. I was happy with the salary package but happier for my parents. I was supposed to check inventory, fill orders, ensure the quality of products, and prepare invoices for the builder or retail customer. It has been five years now & since I was promoted to Supply Chain Manager. Undoubtedly, MBA has been a boon for me during my financial crises.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely the author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha