“I want to start my own organisation in the financial services sector”

…says Parveen Mangla, a B.Tech in Bio-Technology. He has worked with IMS Ludhiana as Quantitative Aptitude Faculty and is pursuing his MBA from IIM Calcutta. In conversation with Reshma Majithia, he talks of his journey to IIM Calcutta. His hobbies include watching and playing cricket, playing table tennis and solving Sudoku puzzles.

What led you to do an MBA and why did you choose IIM Calcutta?
A small town background, followed by a degree in engineering in an area which I was not very passionate about, led me to study options that could lead to a challenging, promising and a rewarding career. The options considered by me were to shift to a career in software, study further for a civil services and government job or study for an MBA programme and join the corporate world for a fast -track career in the arena. While the former two were perceived to be safe, I opted for an MBA, as I believed this will prepare me for a leadership position in the area, which would be both challenging and interesting. However, I was targeting only IIMs, IIFT, FMS and XLRI. I am also pursuing the International CFA programme as a back-up plan and settling for anything lower than these institutes would be a compromise. Though I was willing to join any of the top three IIMs A, B and C, my preference was clearly IIM Calcutta since my forte is number crunching, and graduating from IIM C would clearly give me an opportunity to leverage my abilities, my additional qualification CFA programme and also help me prepare for my long-term goal of entrepreneurship in the financial sector.

When did you start preparing for the entrance test? What would you consider was your biggest challenge?
I started preparing in a structured manner after my B.Tech in Biotech for about 18 months. While in my first attempt I was able to clear the cut-offs for the Quantitative and Data Interpretation section, there was a wide gap in the verbal section and also the grammar section, as I had a very limited vocabulary, little interest and very limited exposure to reading. I had also converted SIBM last year and there was parental and peer group pressure on me to join SIBM, as there was no guarantee that I would be called or be able to convert an IIM call due to my average academics and small-town exposure. At this stage, I mustered up all the courage and took another shot at CAT.

You have worked as Quantitative Aptitude Faculty at IMS Ludhiana. How did this help you in the admission process?
I have had to confront all myths surrounding CAT call and B-School conversions on my journey to joining IIM-C. After my B-Tech, as stated earlier, I was in a dilemma: whether to take up a job in the software sector or to join as Quantitative faculty with IMS Ludhiana. Most of the experienced pundits counseled me against joining as faculty, as this may not be considered as relevant experience, but I was also aware that a job in the software sector would not be very interesting, nor would it help me improve my Verbal or Communication Skillls or consolidate my strength in the Quantitative section. I believe that this stint at IMS did wonders for my self -confidence, instilled time management and prepared me to interact with like-minded people in a 24x7 environment. I would also like to share that during my IIM-C interview, this issue came up and I was able to persuade the interview panel that my stint at IMS was not only teaching Maths, but it was also mentoring students and working with a highly focused team and this exposure was more challenging and dynamic.

How much weightage is given by institutes to academic achievement, work experience and extra-curricular?   
Some colleges like IIM A, B, I and K prefer exceptional academics and do not call students with average academics, even if they have very high scores in CAT. However, most colleges give weightage to work experience and extra-curricular activities and if you are  not good in these, you better excel in the written tests and prepare your case very passionately to convince the B-school about your sincerity, focus and hardwork. The strategy for an applicant should be that if one is graduating, excel in academics and participate proactively in extra-curriculars. On the other hand, if you have already graduated, you should sharpen your communication skills and justify your work experience besides excelling in the written tests.

What are your career goals post MBA?
My career goals post-MBA are to join a global consulting firm in the financial sector and after working for a few years, I want to start my own organisation in the financial services space.

Message for MBA aspirants…        
My message would be that your first priority should be to strengthen your self confidence, as only if you win the battle in your mind, will you be able to win it on the ground. Though there is a lot of gyaan dissemination on cracking the CAT, there is no substitute for solid hard work and let us not forget it, it will be rewarded with an admission into one of the most respected B-schools of the country. Another thing one needs to ensure is to be positive and optimistic from the time one starts preparing to the date of writing the exam, and though one may lose some battles on the way ie, even if you score  low  in a simulated test, do not get disappointed. You are sure to crack the CAT and win the war if you remain focussed and optimistic at all times.