“MBA education will provide me the academic foundation to catalyse my career” -

… says Sreya Ghose who has done her BA in Economics, International Studies from Kenyon College, Ohio, USA. She has worked with Atherstone – a financial communications consultancy – for nearly four years and is currently doing her MBA from IIM Shillong. In conversation with Reshma Majithia, she talks of her interests like reading, swimming and playing badminton. Since she is trained in western classical piano; she also appreciates jazz, western and Indian classical music. She is looking to specialise in finance, since she is interested in a career in the Banking and Financial Services Industry.

How has studying abroad shaped you as a person?
Studying abroad was possibly the best thing that could have happened to me. As a student of Kenyon College (a liberal arts college in Ohio, USA), I was encouraged to question set rules and explore new avenues. Even though I was an Economics major, I took classes in literature, music, political science and history. My friends, from every corner of the world, added to my cultural perspective and broadened my horizons. My memories at Kenyon are ones I’ll cherish forever.

Having done your graduation in economics, tell us why did you choose to do an MBA?
An MBA was the obvious choice after economics. During my undergraduate studies, I was inclined towards finance and did internships in Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan Chase. I also needed a formal MBA education to provide me the academic foundation to catalyse my career.

Why did you choose IIM Shillong to pursue your MBA?
Although I did think of doing my MBA abroad, India was the favoured destination since I wanted to pursue a career in this country. IIM Shillong was the best fit for me for its small batch size, which allows for greater interactions with both professors and peers and builds a strong sense of community.

Give us an insight into your work experience with Atherstone Investor Communications and how has that helped with your preparations towards the MBA programme.
I worked at Atherstone – a financial communications consultancy – for nearly four years. It was my first job and the place where I honed my professional skills. I started as a Research Analyst and, along the way, learned to build teams, interact with clients, handle difficult situations and manage projects. My experience in the company helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses as a professional. It was the perfect preparation ground for me.

Tell our readers about the time you decided on the MBA and how did you prepare for the same. Did you have any weak areas? How did you work on them?
I decided on pursuing an MBA in 2009. Preparation was difficult since I had to juggle a demanding job with studies. I enrolled in a coaching centre so that I could follow a more disciplined preparation schedule.
My weak areas were QA and DI. The only way I could work on them was to go through all the study material and practice diligently. I also took online mock tests every week.

Tell us about your selection experience at IIM Shillong highlighting the structure and the way the process is conducted.
The selection process at IIM Shillong is extremely streamlined. Last year, IIM-S was the first among the IIMs to release its shortlist. After the shortlist, we completed the entire application process online. Every query and doubt was clarified promptly.

How was your experience with the GD and interview? Tell us in detail about this experience.
I had my GD and interview in Kolkata. There were two panels comprising three Institute professors at the interview location and around 20 students.

My GD topic dealt with a case of a company trying to open a resort in the North East, given that such a resort would destroy the environment and harm the existing lifestyle of the people. Our GD group had to discuss the pros and cons of such a proposal. After the discussion, we had to write a summary of the points brought up during the GD.

My interview was rather general with questions on general knowledge, current affairs, my job profile at Atherstone and my education background.

You have mentioned that you are doing an MBA in Finance and marketing. Will that be a dual specialization; how would it help you in your career progression?
As I’ve mentioned before, I was inclined towards Finance since my undergraduate days. At work, I gained a certain amount of exposure to both finance and marketing. Here at IIM Shillong, I’ve enjoyed both subjects. I am looking to specialise in Finance since I want a career in the Banking and Financial Services Industry.

How much weightage is given by institutes when it comes to earlier projects, industry interface, achievements etc? Do you recommend students to experience the same before they start a management degree?
I am not too sure about the weightage given by institutes in India. However, in my opinion, it is critical to have an industry interface prior to starting a management degree. I believe work experience gives you the kind of maturity, which is essential to pursuing a professional degree. Additionally, experience enriches classroom discussions by bringing in industry perspectives.

What would you like to tell all MBA aspirants who probably yearn to be in your shoes? Anything that they need to know and be prepared for when it comes to an MBA programme?
An MBA programme is extremely challenging but it also is a lot of fun. I think MBA aspirants should be clear about what they want to achieve from such a programme. (Getting a fancy job to make a lot of money should not be the only criterion.) Work hard to achieve your goals but do not forget to build networks and learn from your peers. Remember, the experiences you will have in your MBA programme will last you a lifetime. Make the most of these experiences.