Shiksha Opinion: Why are B-School grads sworn to secrecy?
Talk to a B-School graduate from a top MBA college and all you’ll hear are praises: best faculty, best courses, best industrial exposure, best placements.
‘Best’, ‘very good’, ‘excellent’, ‘awesome’ – these are some of the regular adjectives used by the MBA graduates for their colleges. As if B-schools are the prototype of a Utopian corporate world.
We always knew about this secrecy syndrome. But realised the extent of it while doing some ‘Life at’ articles for both B-Schools and engineering colleges.
The engineering students at various IITs and NIITs were quite open about the shortcomings of their colleges. When these very students (mostly engineers) land up in B-School, especially in the top 20 colleges, they wouldn’t even utter a single phrase against their Holy Grail (read MBA college).
Why are these graduates so secretive about the shortcomings of the colleges?
Maybe because MBA graduates are trained to be diplomatic. “They are conditioned to behave in a certain manner and fit in the corporate culture,” said an MBA expert (on condition of anonymity). The art of deflecting negative press is honed right in the school.
The training to be loyal and fit in corporate culture is so deeply ingrained that students even refuse to share the fun part (such as ‘daru party’, dance nights, midnight ragging etc).
Interestingly, these graduates never seem to grow out of it. Years after they passout of a B-school, the students remain fiercely loyal to the B-School image.
B-School image is probably the most important reason behind this secrecy. Saying goes: B-School tag is mightier than B-school experience. And this is what makes students, even years after passing out of college, to fight against any negative publicity of the college.
What happens in campus, stays in campus. That’s the motto of B-school students.
We appreciate the effort of these students to remain loyal to their college. But we also hope that they understand a little honesty can go a long way.
Prior knowledge of what to expect in college can really help an MBA aspirant. This elevated measures of secrecy means several new students are in for a rude surprise or shock once they get in college. Even in international management schools, students are open about frats and sororities.
So why do Indian B-schools need to be so secretive? If there is a hint of anyone digging up any info, B-schools grads quickly close the doors. So nothing is revealed. Is it just paranoia or not wanting to share campus happenings?
We realise, it’s not easy to speak up alone in front of the world, but one can always speak up anonymously. Do you wanna share some such secretive or fun fact about your college? Leave us a mail at editor@shiksha.com. We assure you complete anonymity.
