Be sincere and consistent at everything you do -

Nitin Saxena did his B.Tech from VIT, Tamilnadu, worked as an Applications Engineer with Oracle India Pvt for 23 months and joined up for an MBA course at IIM Shillong to better his educational and career profile. His interests include poetry, writing, listening to music, playing real-time strategy games, cricket, badminton and table tennis. In conversation with Reshma Majithia, he talks of his CAT preparation and how he got selected to IIM-Shillong, converting his only call.

Tell our readers a bit about yourself, tracing your journey from being a B.Tech from VIT to an MBA student at IIM-Shillong?
After graduating in 2007, I had planned to work for a period of two years. I joined Oracle India Pvt. Ltd. as Associate Applications Engineer. I worked on CRM and Business Intelligence products as a designer and developer. During these two years, I learnt the various aspects of the market with practical exposure. It also made me realize that in order to have a successful career, higher education was mandatory. So I decided to do an MBA and started to prepare for CAT after the first year of my job; and finally landed in IIM Shillong.

What led you to do an MBA and why did you choose IIM-Shillong? What according to you is the USP of the Institute?
During my tenure with Oracle India Pvt. Ltd., I worked closely with my Manager and Director and in all my interactions with them I gained new knowledge. Being an engineer it was easy to relate to the design and implementation part. However, for me the bigger picture always remained obscured. This aspect strengthened my desire to go for higher education.

As for IIM Shillong, I don't really think that an IIM needs any reason to be chosen. High quality faculty, peers from diverse backgrounds, excellent facilities for studies, etc are almost synonymous to them. I wanted to go for quality higher education and it was a no-brainer to choose my institute.

According to me the USP of an institute are its students. The students are from diverse backgrounds and extremely talented. You learn something from each of them and thus learning not only happens in class but in our free time as well.

What was the biggest hurdle in your CAT preparation and how did you overcome that?
The biggest hurdle in my preparation was to find sufficient time for my studies. I used to have loads of responsibilities as part of my job with most Video Conferencing meetings happening at night. So it was nearly impossible to find sufficient time for proper studies. As a result I devoted one or two hours a day during weekdays and dedicated the weekend fully to my preparation.

You have been involved in extra-curricular activities. How does it help when it comes to selection?
It is a known fact that Indian students are highly talented. Therefore when you compete with such a pool you need something to differentiate yourself; and extra-curricular activities play an important role. During the selection process the panelists are not only looking for academic achievements, they go for a 360-degree evaluation and thus, extra-curricular activities are good to give that extra nudge.

Tell us about your GD/PI experience? What were the most valuable lessons that you learned from that experience?
I attended the GD/PI of IIM Shillong at IIM Bangalore. The group consisted of eight people and the case was based on a social dilemma. The GD was good with every one chipping in with three-four entries. The PI was extremely grilling and lasted for nearly forty minutes. I was asked questions related to my work experience, academics, and general knowledge, current affairs as well as extra-curricular activities.

The most important take away from GD was to respect the other person's view and listen carefully. It not only helps to frame your opinions better but also wins the respect of fellow participants when you speak. As for PI, I will say one should be sure of each and every word one speaks. It is better to be honest and concise rather than to be beating around the bush.

Tell us about the selection process at IIM-Shillong?
After the CAT results you receive a letter from the Institute specifying the details of the GD/PI dates. Apart from this there is also a form to be filled, which has to be carried along for the GD/PI process. The form requires you to fill personal details, academic and extra-curricular achievements etc. I was also required to narrate an important incident of my life and what I learnt from it.

After the GD/PI, final results are published on the website you get a final offer letter specifying the offer letter number and other details. I was given a week's time to accept the offer.

What are your long-term aspirations and how do you see the MBA degree helping you achieve the same?
In the long term I want to start a company in the IT domain for which I need to have a sound understanding of each and every aspect of an organization. An MBA degree helps you to relate to various aspects of the organization and the industry. It also helps in rising through the ranks at a faster pace, from where you can see the overall picture closely.

What would you like to tell all MBA aspirants who probably want to get into IIMs?
The most important thing to get into an IIM is to be sincere and consistent in everything you do, be it academics, extra-curricular activities or anything else. Secondly, time-management is extremely necessary. There are only 24 hours in a day but if planned properly you can fit in everything you want to do.