1. WHY I CHOSE TO JOIN IIMV
Before I can truly answer the question, I first have to lay out the field - Why MBA? Until the
second year of my Engineering, I didn’t have a single thought about life after Graduation. And
then suddenly an idea popped into my head of creating an android based application for the
news and updates about the ultra-local sporting events happening in the country. What started
out as a simple sports news app has evolved into an end-to-end sports consulting firm after
pitching to almost anyone I met who was into entrepreneurship. It was during this phase that I
understood that I had to have an understanding of how the business world works and was
honestly fascinated about it. After toiling for 18 months at Vijayawada, and with no proper
guidance and lack of traction in the market, I gave up on my start-up and started concentrating
on doing a PG in Business Management. And what better place to do other than at an IIM.
Now onto the issue - Why I chose IIMV. Honestly, I didn’t choose IIMV but the opposite. I
haven’t applied to any colleges but the IIMs and the results of CAP were not very encouraging
for me and out of the blue I get a mail from IIM Visakhapatnam that I got selected for the PGP
program and it was only then I started looking into the details of this institute. The more I read
about this institute, the more I was impressed by the achievements given the fact that this
institute has started less than 5 years ago. The placements are on par with almost all 2nd gen
IIMs. And the only 3rd gen IIM to have a cultural fest and also the fact that IIM Visakhapatnam
has faculty from IIM Bangalore is where I was sold on IIMV.
I believe that the growth of any organization depends mostly in the place it is established and
after I have toured in and around Visakhapatnam, I am convinced that there is no better place
in Andhra to establish an IIM than Vishakapatnam. The roads couldn’t have been any bigger,
the cleanliness, the infrastructure and the best part is that it is right next to the sea. Araku Valley
is just the perfect place for weekend getaways after 5 days of continuous rigor of the course.
Although the climate here will take a little getting used to, I am positive that these 2 years at
IIM Visakhapatnam will be worth the investment be it in terms of time, efforts or money.
Today, in the inauguration address, when the Director talked how IIM Visakhapatnam is on
par with the 2nd gen IIMs and in the evening a very short notice of SAC and a consequent
surprise test reinforced the belief that I’m at the right place to get the best of the two years of
my time in a Management course.
