Why I switched from Engineering to MBA: Manish Gadekar

During Last FIFA World Cup 2014, after my first year of Engineering, I took a break and enjoyed my first vacation in Lavasa City, Pune. I came back from the vacation, all geared up for second year, but around August-September 2014, I realised that my Technical skills were weak. Not only this, I was not enjoying Computer Programming and Coding at all.

Soon, a session on ‘How to prepare for CAT and MBA Entrance Exams’ was conducted at my Engineering College, and I attended it. It was then that my overall outlook on what I was doing, and what actually I wanted to do changed.

I started prepping up for MBA when I was somewhere in mid of second year of Engineering. I started working hard on my aptitude skills, Soft Skills, GD PI, Presentation skills and every aspect that is essential prerequisite for a Management student.

One thing was decided, if at all I was going to do MBA it has to be one of the top ranked college either from the IIMs, SP Jain, NMIMS, JBIMS, PUMBA , SIMSREE, or from other renowned colleges in South Bombay. Luckily I secured 98.78 percentile and secured a seat in PUMBA, one of the topmost Management institutions of Pune. The college’s ROI, Excellent Curriculum, Student Driven College, Innovative Activities and Events brings out the best in a students, and this is why it is the dream MBA College of every MBA aspirant.

How I cracked MBA entrance exams

Talking about how I got this college, I appeared for CAT, CET, and ATMA and secured 98.78 percentile in MBA CET 2017 conducted by DTE MBA. I brushed up on Quants and Aptitude through a local author book of Nirali Prakashan purchased from ABC Book Center Pune. That was enough for preparation. I also used to surf Youtube for education and management videos to help with my GD PI and Writing Skills. This was enough to crack MBA exam in one go.

Books: Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT, Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT.

Collaborative approach helps a lot in MBA entrance preparation. This is the only tip I would give to all aspirants who are preparing for MBA or any entrance exam.

After coming to PUMBA, I enrolled for MBA in Marketing and Human Resource Management Dual Specialisation. I was very selfish person before coming here, I barely helped people or guided them. I was having a messed up attitude, never respected commitments and relationships, took golden opportunities for granted. But all that and lot more changed. Especially becoming the Shiksha Campus Representative helped me a lot. I represented PUMBA on such a large platform, and today I am Level 12 Guide and feel proud to have accomplished this stature.

In College we have various events, seminars, guest lectures which are conducive in overall growth and development. I also became a responsible human being, became punctual, got acquainted with corporate and management skills which are essential for every management student throughout his life. Having a practical approach, taking initiatives, portraying leadership skills, etc. has helped me in developing my personality.

What MBA taught me

Currently I am working with CNC Web World Pune as a HR Generalist and Marketing Trainee Intern. Whatever learnings I have learnt during MBA were very crucial which I am applying right now during my Internship Trainee period. I can achieve targets, work in extreme conditions, have become more patient and goal oriented. Have learnt to look at the bigger picture. One thing that has helped me in choosing career was that I did a SWOT analysis of myself and eliminated all the weaknesses and focused on strengths and thereby chose Management over Technical aspects of Corporate Career.

All in all I would appeal all the budding aspirants to follow their heart, passion, focus on their strengths, and work on their weaknesses.

About the Author

I am Manish Gadekar, and I completed BE in Information Technology. Presently, I am pursuing MBA in Marketing and Human Resources. My Hobbies and interests include reading books, being active on social media, singing, traveling, and eating delicious food. I also follow Indian politics, Bollywood, cricket, media and social causes. I am part of PUMBA’s Helping Hands, an NGO for the needy people based in Pune.