The mantra is not to be aggressive but assertive… -Mayank Bansal, Class of 2010, NMIMS

A second year student from NMIMS, Mayank’s hobbies include reading and traveling. He loves reading all kinds of books, especially psychology and romance. Music is his passion and feels it works as a great stress-buster. He loves to experiment with any genre/style of music depending on his mood. A pre-placement campus offer from Saint Gobain, did not deter his intention to go for an MBA at NMIMS. Mayank talks to Reshma Majithia.

The MBA Decision
The reason, which motivated me to pursue an MBA degree, was a desire to understand the finer nuances of business. I was involved in my family business of scientific instruments and chemicals. There is a thin line of difference between a local organisation and a global organisation and I felt that the inputs I'll get in my 2 years of MBA would help me understand the pre-requisites for a local organisation to be converted into a global organisation.

MBA Preparation
I started to prepare 4 months from the test (around July) but went into top gear only in the month of October. I attempted CAT, XAT, IRMA, SNAP, NMAT, MAT. NMAT did not require any specific preparation, as the curriculum was similar to the other exams. However, the paper demands speed and accuracy and I focused on this by solving a good number of mock papers and using memory tips for fast calculations. I learnt speed math for fast calculations.

Why NMIMS
I got final calls from NMiMS (AIR 38), IRMA, XIMB, SITM (AIR 1) and several colleges associated with MAT (secured 800/800). I chose NMiMS due to its brand value, better placements and higher corporate exposure being in Mumbai.

The GD-PI experience
It is often presumed that the initiator gets the first mover advantage and similarly one who is most aggressive has a higher probability of catching the attention of the moderator. But this may backfire also. I have personally seen this in one of the GDs, where the topic given was 'The Indian Story So Far'. The person who hurriedly started the conversation had a myopic view of the topic and soon exhausted his points. There were some more that carried the same viewpoints further without adding any new dimension to it. I was able to leverage this situation by bringing in new dimensions to the discussion and directing the group to a logical flow. Not surprisingly, I was the only one from the group who was selected for the next round. The mantra is not to be aggressive but assertive, not be the first speaker but the first to bring a logical flow to the discussion.

Life at NMIMS
The two-year curriculum at NMiMS is segregated into six trimesters. The first year consists of common courses while the second year allows the provision of electives according to the choice of an individual. The pedagogy followed is the case study approach. The case studies are generally of HBS (Harvard Business School), which are to be read by the student before a class discussion. A host of industry experts and dignitaries are also invited to instil practical insights to the theoretical aspect of learning. In addition to academics, a lot of emphasis is given to the extra-curricular activities to groom the overall personality of an individual.

In my view, life at any premier B-school is different than one's earlier life. A lot of events run parallel to each other. Project deadlines are to be met, case studies to be read, presentations to be made, seminars and guest lectures to be attended, while maintaining a high level of class participation in the regular lectures simultaneously. Finally, you have to handle the pressure of securing good placements. But the real surprise is that despite the pressure on you, the fun element is never downplayed or suppressed.

NMiMS boasts of a number of cells in various disciplines such as Marketing, Finance, Social Responsibility, Industry Interface and each of these conducts its own event periodically. So, it is fun participating in those events throughout the year. They keep the campus constantly abuzz and also give a chance to students to display and hone their skills in different departments. But the biggest takeaway is your interaction with your peers. People from diverse backgrounds and rich experience come to study under one roof and one can really learn from the peer experiences and viewpoints. The icing on the cake is a lifelong friendship, which extends beyond college.
Life at a B-school is perceived to be different from that in any school in a different stream. So, when I joined NMIMS, I was eager as well as anxious to experience a new kind of life. And it really turned out to be a different experience altogether. The induction day address by the key speakers clearly indicated the significance of the "Right Attitude" and "Lateral Thinking" for survival in the competitive world.

After MBA
I plan to work in the corporate sector for some time and understand the methodology by which organizations function and prosper, before starting my own venture.

The Unforgettable
The whole MBA stint has been an unforgettable experience for me. Sometimes in life you run into some unexpected events, which leave an impact for a long time. As a part of the CSR project, my visit to the NAB (National Association for Blind) reminds me of one such experience. A feeling of sympathy for the challenged comes naturally to anyone, but for me it was more of a feeling of inspiration and awe. The type of work the blind children were able to do with perfection really left me wondering. It is said that adversity often shows the path to opportunity and this really held true in this case. These children are not only being educated but also learning to be economically independent. I remember one of them telling me how he wants to be a part of mainstream society and wishes to contribute to the society one day. We are often found complaining about our fate and brooding over our failures when something does not go our way, but after meeting these children I understood the need to motivate against all odds. It was a memorable learning experience for me and I hope to contribute my bit one day.

Message for MBA aspirants
Be sincere towards your goals. My mantra of life is Dedication + Determination + Diligence - Diffidence = Distinction in life.
In the GD/PI rounds, which are really critical, don't try to project a fake image. Be yourself. Don't forget that the person in front of you is a veteran and more than familiar with these kinds of gimmicks; so, he'll catch you if you try to be any different from real.
All the best.