Why I gave up my job as a Software Engineer to pursue MBA: Akshay Agarwal

Junior college has been a tough phase in my life with me deviating from studies even after being a scholar in school. Aspired to do Engineering but due to low scores, doing it from a good engineering college was never an option. Pursued BSc (Computer Science), did well for myself, and am happy to have saved a year from not doing engineering. After some stellar performances in CAT, SNAP, NMAT, CET, I got admission offers from a majority of top B-Schools in the country for their core MBA programme, but I took my time to ponder and realised that sustainability is the future. Observing how businesses are flourishing, making a goodwill for themselves, improving their profitability by making their supply chains sustainable, how they’re gaining customer loyalty by choosing eco-friendly products and marketing around this theme, getting attention and support from regulators for helping conserve the environment, I realised that sustainability is going to play a major role for organisations to make major long-term business decisions with the challenges of pollution, climate change, global warming hovering over and so keeping this fact in mind, I decided to board the wagon. Considering that IIM Lucknow is only among a few B-Schools and arguably the finest one offering  Sustainable Management course, choosing a college was never a concern after deciding what course do I want to get into.

Before this attempt, I would only give IMS’s test series that too not seriously, skipping many important mocks, due to job commitments. However, I went full throttle this time and joined test series from IMS, TIME and VA was helped a lot through WordPandit.

Religiously giving most of the mocks and working hard delivered the sweet fruit of success.  Upon scoring the requisite percentile, I was called up for IIM Lucknow’s interview process which included WAT & PI. Although I don’t remember the essay topic well now, but it was related to PM Modi and I being much into the political news during that period, I had an upper hand at it and believe to have fared well. I was bombarded with questions related to sustainability in the interview to check if I was really interested in the field or if it was just the IIM Lucknow brand I was going for. But my interest in sustainability was genuine with a drive inside me since childhood to protect our environment, which helped me gain their confidence and their vote. 

With a wild passion for Finance, I always wanted to enter the holy gates of JBIMS, but having scored 99.9%ile in CET, lost by a whisker with 99.92%ile being the cut-off. But I don’t have any regrets today as I’m still pursuing my passion for Finance and preparing for CFA and aiming to move into Sustainable Finance in the future.

I spend most of my time networking with my batch mates, exploring the fascinating Delhi NCR region, binge Youtubing, participating in competitions and reading news. Birthdays are celebrated with great zeal and equally are the campus parties. We’re a closely knit small family with everyone caring for each other. I love attending Marketing, Finance and Sustainability classes. Marketing is very interesting due to its real-life observations and I love the subject. Finance has always been my passion and I always look forward to learning more and more in the area. A majority of the courses in the Sustainability area is taught by Prof. Sushil Kumar, a highly revered professor at IIM Lucknow with an outstanding persona, larger than life identity, and a vast experience which one can learn a lot from. The way the professor magically takes you into the world of Sustainability with his profound list of examples, you get a sense of satisfaction of having learnt a great deal and boy, the feeling is amazing. I am a member of the college’s Sustainability Committee and Investment Committee and try to find unique ways to do justice to my role. I’m fond of playing table tennis, badminton and make sure I play the sport at regular periods.

Given a chance, I would like to make the best of the L-incubator opportunity that IIML offers to students willing to open their startup. With such a huge exposure, guidance from experts in the area, and an easy access to the much needed resources, I would be delighted to take some time out to work on my idea of a startup in the field of sustainability and try to make it big and help serve the society.

My MBA experience has taught me humility. I used to wonder about how lavish the life would be once I graduate as an MBA from an elite
business school with a huge package and a regarded job profile, but upon getting into the course, I realised the value of humility and how it can help you excel in your career by showing gratitude towards people not as better positioned as you and has put an end to all the egoism that I packed with myself when I joined the course.

About the Author

A Software Engineer by profession, 4 years into the job realised that business is something I always craved for and here I’m doing my MBA. I love travelling, dance and am an EDM-fanatic. Technology has never stopped amazing me and I continue to discover it more and more. I love competing and am always up for a debate with an Appy Fizz by my side.