Ready for the Journey !!

ISB was a relatively unknown world to me when I had joined NIT Warangal. For me and lakhs of others, a fundoo MBA meant only IIM. Its as if the others never existed or we did not want to acknowledge their existence. Its only with the advent of Orkut in my life that I learnt about ISB.

Orkut had become quite a rage when I was in my third year at College. With orkut came alive all NITWs cyber-romeos. One such romeo came across this profile of a very pretty female who was studying at ISB. Needless to say he sent a friend request to her and she obliged. At that time though our romeo spoke highly of ISB I still thought of it as just another college with a Angrez name who keeps putting ads in papers. Towards the end of the year my impression of ISB took  a U-turn.

ISB had come to our college to conduct a information session with few of my alums to attract talent. The session totally changed my perception of ISB. This looked pretty like the US B-Schools that I kept hearing about on campus, blogs & CEO profiles. They were very clear in stressing the importance of Work Ex and how a work ex + MBA would add more value than a MBA before Work ex. This was when I decided to pursue management studies. Till then I wanted to be just a Engineering graduate from a premier Indian School working his way up in any company. I never thought a MBA was required or that it would add any value. Gosh !! How wrong I was !!

I had my road ahead clear. Work at Ashok Leyland (my dream company) for 3 years and then ISB. I had drawn the same on my room walls telling people clearly that IIMs were not for me. While some supported my dreams there were others who ridiculed my ambition saying that "You lose your academic touch by 3 years. You will not be able to devote time to prepare while working." But I knew only thing: Where there is a will there is a way !!

By god's grace in my final year I managed to clear Ashok Leyland's selection process on Day Zero on July 9, 2005 and was going to my dream company in less than a year. That was Stage 1 accomplished and I was ready for the journey !!