Reminisce-Management Studies

 “…. maintaining relationships is one of the key arsenal’s in your pocket when you step out in the corporate world.”

Abhishek Kumar graduated from NSIT in 2005, and gained an year of experience at   InterraIT Inc. Then he did his  MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, and is now Senior Manager in  Corporate Finance at Angel Broking.

1. What embarked your interest towards an MBA?

 My interest in MBA was for the career opportunities it has in store, the thrust it provides early in your career, the great networking opportunities, the ideal platform for incubation of one’s entrepreneurial desire or ability and the financial wellness it would bring.

2. How are things at B-school different from N.S.I.T.?

Well, for one an MBA can be very fast-paced and demanding. Academic rigor increases in multiples.
From N.S.I.T. to IIM-A, the focus changed to case studies and presentations. People skills become more important than technical skills. But, this is only one side of the coin. The other side is more interesting and fun. Parties/Outing were as much a day-to-day activity as reading cases for the next day. Our hostels were divided into various dorms and each dorm had a unique culture and way of living. Inter-dorm sports, cultural activities et al. made the life fun.

3. How do you justify the importance of networking by relating it to some anecdote of your life?

Well, networking is very important, if you ask me. You may not realize the value of it in the early stages of your career, like where you are right now. However, I have known people who due to their networking have managed to achieve things which are beyond our normal capacity.
And trust me when I say maintaining relationships is one of the key arsenal’s in your pocket when you step out in the corporate world.

4. Opportunities you would recommend students to explore while at N.S.I.T.?

Four years is a long time, even though retrospectively it may not look so. However, my advice would be to enjoy as much as you can, but do allocate some time for your hobbies like reading, music or anything. Do participate actively in extra as well as co-curricular activities. Building your profile begins all the way from where you are right now. Grab any opportunity that would give industry exposure in any capacity.

5. What’s the in-thing in the business world today?

It’s pretty much Recession.

6. Please describe a typical day at work.

My typical day at work would be managing funds flow, financial planning and analysis, presentations, financial reporting, managing relationships with Banks / FI et al.

7. What do you do when you are not at work?
Free time is a luxury. If I get some, I try to catch up with friends, go out for some movies, concerts, try to find out time to read sometime. Well, that’s pretty much what I can do.

8. Some books/movies/music that have inspired you and would recommend?
If its books, I would recommend – Art of War (Sun Tzu) / Cold Steel (Tim Bouquet).

9. Please feel free to provide any additional information here.
During my term in NSIT, the most prevalent question was MBA, more than MS. As many people as you meet or read about, that many opinions would come into picture and that much more confusing the decision would become should you wish to agree with any one of them. During your third / final year, you have to essentially make a choice between one of these two lines. Howsoever interesting one may sound over the other; I would urge you not to make any decision until you have done your research into the intricacies of each field. Being in industry is a very different experience from being in college.

10. What is your message to the young and creative students in campus.?
That’s a wonderful life out there. Enjoy every moment of it. Best of luck to all of you for all your future endeavors.