What made me switch from Engineering to MBA: Roshni A

In class 11, I opted for Science with Computer Science as I wanted to pursue Engineering in my under-graduation. I worked really hard, cleared my board examinations with good scores, and secured a seat in one of the top engineering colleges in my state. I chose to specialise in Civil Engineering as I was really fascinated by structures and I was passionate about pursuing a career in it. Somehow, I always had some doubts about the choices I made. This time, I wanted to take the right decision, and so, I decided to discover myself and my real interests. I realised what really excites me is originality and creativity. I loved brainstorming and coming up with new ideas. I believed I possessed good leadership qualities and had always pictured myself leading people. That's when the thought of pursuing MBA entered my mind. I began collecting information about various B-schools and that’s when I came across Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR). I got to know that the PGDM program at IFMR was highly acclaimed. The high faculty to student ratio was a major attraction. The fact that the campus was located in a fast growing business area was yet another plus point. The infrastructure at the campus also seemed very appealing. I went through some alumni interviews and found that everyone had only positive things to say about their experience at IFMR. IFMR seemed like the perfect place for me to learn and grow.

How I cracked college admission

Once I had decided that I wanted to pursue MBA, I enrolled for CAT coaching sessions with T.I.M.E. I decided that it would be better if I took other entrance exams like XAT, SNAP, NMAT and CMAT as well.

Moreover, being a fresher would make things more difficult for me. Nevertheless, I was determined to give my best shot. Based on my entrance exam scores and my priorities, I made a list of B-Schools that I was interested in. I had applied to IFMR in the general round and luckily, my application was shortlisted for the next stage and my excitement knew no bounds. Though I had already received offers from a few other B-schools, I knew I had to give my best in this as IFMR was on the top of my priority list and I just couldn’t afford to miss out on such an opportunity. I got through the Written Ability Test with ease and I also had a very pleasant interview. Though I was happy with the way I performed, I wasn’t very confident about getting through as the competition seemed pretty tough. But in the end, I did get my admission offer letter in April, 2017 and that’s when my real journey began.

What I gained from my college years

I have been at IFMR for almost 5 months now and so far, these have been the best days of my life. Though in the beginning, I found it a little hard to settle in, but finally I managed to find a home here.

The course curriculum is pretty rigorous at IFMR but I believe that is what makes it worthwhile. The busy schedule has helped me learn a lot about time management and tackling stress. Personally, I love keeping myself busy most of the time as it makes me feel more accomplished. I enjoy attending all classes but I my favourite are the marketing sessions. The classes at IFMR are very interactive and engaging. The courses also include field studies and projects which make them all the more interesting.

Students are allowed to participate in various club activities in campus. All committees and clubs are student-run. I am currently a student representative of the admissions committee. I am really excited about being a part of the team and I can’t wait for the admission season to begin. During my free time, I also participate in various quizzes and competitions conducted in the institute and these have really helped me learn and develop myself.

I have always been a bit of an introvert as I grew up in a closed environment. As a child, I mostly kept to myself and was always hesitant about expressing my opinions. However, I knew I was very self-driven and I had big dreams for my future. I knew I had to break the boundaries I had built around myself if I wanted to bring out my talents.  My experience at IFMR has made me push my limits and discover myself. Group projects have helped me work on my team skills and encouraged me to open up a bit more to others. Class presentations have helped me overcome my fear and have improved my communication skills. The best part about being here is the vast diversity of the crowd.  I have never been exposed to such diverse cultures before and over time, I have grown to appreciate and respect every one of them as my own. Being away from home has made me a more independent person and I have learnt to take responsibility for my actions.

I hope to make the best out of my remaining time at IFMR.

About the Author

I am Roshni A, and I have graduated from SSN College of Engineering under Anna University. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, and I am currently pursuing my Master’s Degree in ‘Business Administration’ at Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR). I love reading and listening to music during my free time.