My Road to BITSoM: A Story of Passion and Perseverance

A science student until 12th grade, I pursued a BSc in HHA, building a strong foundation in analytical thinking and research. I am passionate about learning, problem-solving, and creative expression. Outside academics, I enjoy playing basketball and exploring videography, combining discipline with storytelling to bring ideas to life. 

Q1.How did you choose your course of study in school (class XI-XII)? What made you choose your current college/course (undergrad/post-grad)? 

My choice of Science in classes XI–XII came from a natural curiosity about how the world works. I wanted to understand the principles behind everyday phenomena and develop a logical way of thinking. Science gave me a strong analytical foundation and trained me to approach problems systematically. However, as I progressed, I realised that a conventional engineering path did not align with my interests or strengths. I was more drawn towards people-oriented, dynamic, and application-based fields. 

This led me to choose Hotel Management for my undergraduate studies. I found the discipline unique because it combines business, creativity, leadership, and operational excellence. The industry’s fast-paced nature and focus on service, management, and real-world problem-solving strongly appealed to me. When I had the opportunity to join one of the best Hotel Management colleges in the country, it further validated my decision. I saw it as a platform that would challenge me, polish my professional skills, and expose me to high standards of discipline and teamwork. My undergraduate experience shaped my work ethic, communication skills, and ability to perform under pressure. 

After completing my degree, I gained three years of work experience, where I developed a deeper understanding of business operations and customer behaviour. During this phase, I realised that while operations taught me execution, I was increasingly interested in strategy, branding, and understanding markets at a larger scale. This curiosity towards how businesses create value, position themselves, and influence consumer decisions led me to explore marketing. 

To build a strong foundation in business and marketing, I chose to pursue an MBA from BITS School of Management (BITSoM). The rigorous curriculum, industry-focused learning, and emphasis on leadership and analytical thinking aligned perfectly with my career goals. I see this transition as a natural progression—from understanding systems through science, to mastering execution in hospitality, and now to shaping business impact through marketing and strategy. 

Q2. How did you crack admission in your current college? What entrance test(s) did you give? Any coaching classes that you took for preparation? Any other colleges that you were trying out for? What challenges did you face while opting for this college?

Cracking admission into my current college was a result of disciplined self-preparation while balancing a full-time job. Since I was working during my preparation phase, time management became the biggest challenge, and I consciously decided to rely on self-study rather than coaching classes. This helped me stay flexible and structure my preparation according to my work schedule. 

I prepared mainly for the CAT and other MBA entrance exams. To build my fundamentals, I started with Arun Sharma’s books, which helped me gain conceptual clarity in Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, and Data Interpretation. I focused on understanding the logic behind each concept rather than memorising shortcuts. Once my basics were clear, I gradually shifted towards practice-oriented preparation. I began taking sectional mock tests to identify my weak areas and improve speed and accuracy. This phase was crucial in refining my strategy for each section and learning how to handle pressure. 

After gaining confidence in sectionals, I moved on to full-length mock tests. These helped me simulate the real exam environment, improve time allocation, and develop test-taking discipline. More importantly, analysing each mock thoroughly allowed me to understand my mistakes and avoid repeating them. Over time, this process significantly boosted my confidence and consistency. 

Apart from BITSOM, I was also exploring other reputed MBA colleges that aligned with my interest in marketing and general management. However, BITSOM stood out due to its strong academic rigour, industry integration, and emphasis on leadership development. 

The biggest challenge was maintaining consistency while managing work and preparation simultaneously. There were days of mental and physical exhaustion, but staying focused on my long-term goal kept me motivated. Ultimately, self-study, structured practice, and regular mock analysis played a decisive role in securing my admission. 

Q3.How do you spend your time at college? Which classes do you like to attend? Which extra-curricular activities are you a part of in college? If you had the opportunity, what other academic or co-curricular pursuits would you like to take up? How has your college experience changed you as a person? What opportunities do you see in future? 

 I spend my time at college with a strong focus on both academics and active participation in co-curricular activities. During my earlier academic journey, the COVID-19 pandemic limited opportunities for involvement outside the classroom. That experience made me realise the importance of holistic development, and as a result, I have consciously decided to participate in as many activities as possible during my master’s program. I see college not just as a place for academic learning, but as a platform to explore, experiment, and grow across multiple dimensions. 

Academically, I make it a point to attend all my classes, as they form the foundation of my understanding of business and management. I am particularly inclined toward marketing-related subjects such as consumer behaviour, branding, strategy, and market analytics. These classes excite me because they combine creativity with data-driven decision-making and give me insights into how businesses build strong connections with their customers. In the future, I plan to take more electives focused on marketing and strategy to deepen my specialisation and align my learning with my career goals. 

On the co-curricular front, I actively participate in college events, competitions, and team activities. Since I am aspiring to build a career in marketing, I focus on roles and responsibilities that involve branding, content creation, promotions, and strategic communication. Being part of such teams has helped me apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios, improve my communication skills, and understand how marketing works in dynamic environments. These experiences have also strengthened my ability to work in teams, manage deadlines, and take ownership of projects. 

If given the opportunity, I would like to further explore areas such as digital marketing, analytics-driven marketing, and brand strategy through workshops, live projects, and industry collaborations. I am also interested in contributing to research-based initiatives and case competitions that challenge my strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. 

My college experience so far has been truly transformative. It has made me more confident, proactive, and open to learning. I have become more disciplined in managing my time and more comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone. Interacting with diverse peers and faculty has broadened my perspective and helped me think more critically and creatively. 

Looking ahead, I see immense opportunities to grow as a marketing professional who understands both the analytical and creative sides of business. I aim to leverage my academic learning, work experience, and co-curricular exposure to build a strong foundation in marketing and strategy. This phase of my life is shaping me into a more balanced, driven, and industry-ready individual. 

Q4. What are your long-term professional aspirations? 

My long-term professional aspiration is to build a strong career in sales and marketing, preferably in a multinational company where I can gain structured exposure to brand building, market strategy, and consumer insights. I aim to grow into a Brand Manager role in the future, where I can take ownership of brand strategy, positioning, and product growth while making data-driven and creative decisions.

About Author:  Shikhar Chatruvedi is currently pursuing an MBA at BITSoM. 

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