Our PGDM (GM) candidates arrive at XLRI with professional experience and career aspirations as diverse backgrounds as they are. Explore some of the Career Transformation Journeys of PGDM (GM) Batch 2022-23 and begin charting yours today. The PGDM (GM) programme provides tools, resources and support to empower our candidates to identify and reach their career goals.
Aarush has developed his business acumen by traversing diverse streams in his academic life before strengthening it further through MBA at XLRI. He completed his graduation with B. Com (Hons.) at St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. He decided to opt for Marketing Management as a specialization since he was already pursuing finance through the CA course. In 2016, he cleared the IPCC level of the CA professional course. After graduating, he started working for a financial services company. However, to address the change in career preferences, he decided to join ITC as a Social Media Analyst. To come to terms with the challenge of a new career, he pursued a PG Diploma in Integrated Marketing Communications.
Aarush has spent nearly four years as an Insights and Analytics consultant. He has analyzed 100+ brands and 70+ CXOs, across 10+ countries worldwide. He is an expert at kick-starting Social Intelligence/ORM projects, overseeing the execution of ad-hoc reports, and conducting digital research to deliver competitive insights on global brands and industry trends. He has taken up several certifications to strengthen content development strategies, deploy SaaS platforms such as Talkwalker, Meltwater, and Sprinklr to achieve superior consumer insights, and efficiently collaborate with co-workers and clients in a post-COVID work environment.
Upon joining XLRI, he immediately left a mark on the cohort by getting elected as one of the 12 placement committee members. He was also appointed as the SPOC for the social media team at PGDM (GM) program.
In his own words, “The journey at XLRI has been highly transformative – something I deeply desired to accomplish through an MBA program. From thanking your stars for the opportunity to interact with some of the leading business faculty in the world to attending CXO sessions with Industry Veterans, the program has immense to offer. The fast-paced PGDM (GM) program at XLRI enables you to simulate the challenges you will face in your careers and helps you develop the most sought-after quality in today's day & age – balancing work and personal life. After undergoing the program, you will not just marvel at the potential that others around you have to offer but also end up surprising yourself with the level of self-development and growth you experience.”
“As you transcend into the ‘MBA life’, there will be little difference between day and night, and whatever sleeping pattern you adhered to before coming to the campus, will eventually go for a toss. You will end up working every minute of the clock at least once during your time here, and to be able to do that effectively, you need to be ably prepared. But every 24 hours, you will try to attempt better than before, with the hope that you will eventually catch up with what lies ahead of you!”
Both professionally and personally, my time at XLRI has been wonderful. The Flagship Program Post Graduate Diploma in Management PGDM (GM) has revolutionized my career by providing me with a myriad of career fields to choose from and paving the way for my transition to a new domain and industry.
I had 6 years of international experience in the switchgear manufacturing industry and gained valuable project and operational expertise working with prestigious clients in the Middle East like as Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, Directorate of Military Abu Dhabi, and DEWA. In my previous organization, I frequently interacted with the leadership team, and I was always curious about how they execute critical business decisions, manage stakeholders, and thrive in complex environments. Eventually, I realized how critical mastering these abilities was for me to advance in my job and lead others. I had two choices before me, either Stay in the industry, gather experience, and slowly climb the career ladder OR Take a chance, take a break from the career, and enroll in a rigorous course from a premier B-School in the country, thereby cutting short the journey.
As a family man, I chose road 2 despite the fact that the second option was a little riskier for me. “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write but those who cannot LEARN, UNLEARN OR RELEARN.”. With a strong determination to learn, unlearn and relearn, I decided to pursue higher education in the middle of my professional journey and secured admission in XLRI-Jamshedpur.
Joining XLRI meant beginning a journey of professional and personal development. As I have already gone through this roller coaster journey, I can confidently say that it completely transforms you as a person, both personally and professionally. It taught me how to assess and accurately convey ideas, how to critically study complex business situations, and how to produce distinctive solutions. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to collaborate, become a capable team member, and build a broad-minded approach to problem-solving.
Also, such a cohort in this program with regional and professional diversity broadens our horizons when we come together as colleagues. People bring differences of opinion, ideas, skills, problems, and networks. Being an executive member of the Alumni Relations committee, I can say that XLRI's alumni network has been an added advantage in post-program job opportunities.
At Incture, I would be working as Solutioning and Delivery Manager crafting suitable solutions for clients in close coordination with the extended team of business consultants, architects, and delivery personnel. This whole transition has shifted my career from core manufacturing to IT while retaining my past work experience and expertise.
Prior to XLRI, I was working with HCLTech where I used to help enterprise client manage their technical infrastructure for optimal performance. Having worked nearly half a decade in technical domain, I felt the need to understand the management side of business and hone my business acumen. My previous professional experience, coupled with the learnings at XLRI, has helped me grow and transition into a consultant role with Accenture.
The one-year rigorous PGDM GM program at XLRI has been most rewarding. The General Management curriculum offers once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from some of the best professors in the country and a diverse set of cohort members. It also helped me connect classroom learning to my previous work experience. My time at XLRI has enabled me to develop a structured mindset to solve complex problems and develop the agility to navigate the fast-paced and ever- evolving business world. Additionally, XLRI also gave me an opportunity to be a part of entrepreneurship cell and organising an event which featured top entrepreneur of the country. There was a lot of learning involved organizing this event.
The course is designed in such a way that it provides technical professionals with a broad understanding of business concepts, an opportunity to develop leadership and management skills, and a competitive advantage when pursuing management positions. It imparts knowledge using Group projects, case studies, and simulations to provide students with the chance to collaborate with their peers, learn from their experiences, and develop their leadership skills. The diverse cohort also offers networking opportunities that can help professionals build relationships with other leaders in their field and learn from their experiences.
Pursuing the course helped in understanding various domains where my technical background could be used to help in business context due to which I decided to go in consulting domain. Consulting in new emerging technology domain felt like a challenging goal to pursue as the next part of my professional journey. I am grateful to Career development committee, Placement committee and XLRI Jamshedpur who have helped immensely on this journey.
Having amassed over six years of experience in a technical capacity at Tech Mahindra, one of the leading global IT companies, and serving clients from countries such as the US, Canada, Mexico, and Japan, I felt it was the right time to transition from the corporate world and pursue advanced studies in management. My goal was to expand my knowledge of different aspects of a business and at the same time refine my managerial and leadership skills.
With that goal in mind, I embarked on the journey of preparing for the GMAT exam. After dedicating six months to intensive study and preparation, I took the exam and was thrilled to achieve a score that allowed me to apply to XLRI, one of India's most highly-regarded business schools, with a reputation for excellence that is second to none. It was a dream come true to be accepted into this world-class institution.
The experience at XLRI has been nothing short of extraordinary. It has been a journey filled with a wide range of diverse experiences and opportunities. The academic rigor has pushed me to excel in my studies, challenging me to think critically and creatively in assignments and group case discussions. The practical preparation sessions have helped me to sharpen my interview skills and real-world problem-solving abilities. The social interactions and extracurricular activities such as leisurely late-night campus strolls and high-intensity football matches and gaming have allowed me to build meaningful relationships and develop a sense of camaraderie with my peers. Overall, it has been an enriching and fulfilling experience that has helped me to grow both personally and professionally.
Having undergone this transformative experience, I feel I am now ready to embark on a new journey back into the corporate world, armed with the knowledge, skills, and experiences gained from my time at XLRI over the last year. I am excited to put into practice everything that I have learned and to continue growing in my career.
After graduating with Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Engineering, I followed my passion to work in the software industry and started my career with IT Giant Accenture, a global leader in IT services and solutions. I worked as a techno-functional associate, analyst, and senior analyst. My prime responsibilities were to deliver quality custom solutions and resolve end-user issues after proper analysis to maintain business continuity. My functional domain was communication, media, and technology, where I worked on various oracle and Microsoft applications and custom tools. Post that I worked for DB Schenker, a global logistics and supply chain organization specializing in 3PL (third-party Logistics). In my brief stint of 9 months, I worked with global clients helping them manage the IT Operations of their warehouses, and supply chains.
In my professional career, I primarily worked in techno-functional domains of application development, application support and enhancement, Incident management, change management, and service delivery management, which gave me a lot of understanding of the IT processes. Furthermore, working closely with various stakeholders and users helped me understand the pain points of users. This combined with my natural inclination towards technology and building better products motivated me to aspire for a career in Product management. However, the road to product management was not easy. On deeper analysis I found myself lacking in various critical skills and knowledge which would be crucial for entering into the new domain. Hence, I decided to pursue MBA to bridge the skill gap. I prepared for the MBA entrance exams and finally got selected for the flagship course Post Graduate Diploma in General Management (PGDM-GM) at XLRI, Jamshedpur.
One year Programme of PGDM General Management (PGDM-GM) has been a life-transforming journey for me. It is a rigorous course that pushes you out of your comfort zone and actually introduces you and delves deep into the multi-faceted world of business. Here I learned about accounting, Finance, strategy, and Human Resources along with subjects like Managerial communications and ethics, and Sustainability. The focus and aim are not just to bring out the best world-class business leaders but also to bring out responsible leaders. Along with that, we can choose multiple electives based on our career aspirations in various fields. These courses help to develop business acumen and the case-based pedagogy introduces us to actual business scenarios in the industry thereby improving our learnings.
The PGDM-GM program helped me develop my leadership and people management skills in addition to providing me with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of various facets of business through amazing academics, group interactions, guest lectures, conclaves, workshops, and mentorship sessions with top industry professionals. All of these helped me to secure the position of Product Manager at Jio.
I am looking forward to starting the post-MBA journey and implementing the learnings that I got during this year.
I started my professional career as a software engineer with TCS and then joined Tangoe as a Product Engineer. Seeking a challenging role and environment, I transitioned to Ola Cabs, an emerging product-based startup, where I joined as a Software Development Engineer in Test. Eventually, I led the consumer team, ensuring product quality for consumer features. I had the opportunity to work on several features which addressed environmental concerns and customer’s safety concerns, all while creating business value. I collaborated with the product, business, design, and fellow engineering team for several critical launches.
My experience of working on impactful products that affected consumer’s lives positively inspired me to contribute to product development at a greater capacity. I wanted to make strategic decisions to develop products that not only serve society but also contribute to a sustainable world. Therefore, I decided to transition into the role of a product manager. To make the pivot, I took XAT, successfully cracked it, and ultimately made it through the interviews into XLRI Jamshedpur's hallowed classrooms. Here, I'm pursuing one of the flagship masters programs, where I've had the opportunity to learn from my classmates with diverse backgrounds and the knowledge imparted from esteemed professors. Through the program, I've honed my critical thinking, decision-making, negotiation skills, and business acumen. I learned a lot about various aspects of business management, including marketing, finance, operations, and strategy. The program taught me how to analyze business problems, develop solutions, and communicate them effectively. One of the key takeaways from my MBA program was the importance of data-driven decision-making. I learned how to use data to make informed decisions, which has helped me to make better decisions at work. The program also taught me the importance of networking and building strong relationships with colleagues, mentors, and industry experts. I have leveraged my network to find new job opportunities and learn from experienced professionals. Another significant learning from my MBA program was the value of teamwork. Through various group assignments and projects, I learned how to work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. This has helped me to be more effective in my role as a team leader at work. In conclusion, my career journey has been an exciting one, and pursuing an MBA from XLRI has been a significant milestone in my career. The program has equipped me with valuable skills and knowledge, and I look forward to using them to achieve my career goals.
From being in the service industry for 6 years, innovating packaging and revamping the supply chain for all the Automotive OEMs and then joining one of the largest OEMs itself, it shows what a career transition looks like
Summing up the one-year journey in limited words is tougher than I imagined. XLRI’s one-year General Management program covers the breadth of almost all management fields. The icing on the cake is, the cutting-edge curriculum and case-based pedagogy which helped me get exposure to the latest trends in the markets, emerging career fields, necessary domain-specific knowledge, and skills required to be a successful business manager. Also, the diverse peer-to-peer interaction helps you to broaden your thinking during brainstorming of group assignments
Before coming to XLRI, I was working with DELHIVERY and solving complex supply chain problems for the Tier 1 and OEMs of the Automotive industry, MBA was needed to elevate the responsibility ladder and shift from Sales and Marketing to a strategy role. My role in Mahindra is similar to the same where I would be responsible to formulate strategies for the Mahindra group to digitalize the end-to-end process while working with the executive leadership team
I am privileged to have learned from the best faculty, and the PGDM- GM program truly empowers us to think beyond the possible and be responsible global leaders of tomorrow
My post-graduation from IIT Guwahati was driven by my passion for machines. This passion has propelled me throughout my past seven years at L&T defence, where I collaborated with various research laboratories of the Indian Government in the defence sector. During this time, I was involved in creating products such as radars, missiles, and rocket launchers for both navy and army. I gained exposure to technologies such as direct energy weapons, electromagnetic launchers, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. I also gained experience in identifying untapped markets and understanding customers' needs. I have been part of various competitions, and my higher management appreciated my initiatives.
In my role, I was responsible for managing team members, extensive customer engagement, and collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. Although I could handle these situations with my out-of-box solutions and interpersonal skills, I realized I needed to develop my business acumen to work more effectively in complex business situations.
At XLRI, I found the grounding to build my future. The program was rigorous and highly compressed, and we were constantly under pressure. However, it provided us with valuable career development resources, upskilling opportunities, and mentors. I had the opportunity to learn from the best faculty in various disciplines of management science, ethical sciences, and humanities. I also participated in numerous activities that honed my leadership skills. XLRI taught me the importance of self-awareness and empathy as a future leader.
Despite the challenges, XLRI was a life-changing experience that empowered me to think beyond the possible. I am excited to begin my next chapter as the DGM in Business Development at Kirloskar, holding on to my values and everything I learned during my incredible year at XLRI.
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Arthur Ashe. I am a believer in embracing the change, utilizing it to the fullest, and converting them into an efficacious output with the highest potential.
Working across different sectors and products where I was employed in multiple roles in Design and Development, Quality Assurance, and Product Development, I increased my technical knowledge working on different products and technologies. However, working on multiple projects with various stakeholders, I realized that to succeed in any firm; one needs to know the holistic view of the business management to better cope with the ever-changing work environment. It is this thought process of mine that triggered me to opt for a new direction in my career path. That is when I started preparing for my GMAT exam & ended up pursuing M.B.A from XLRI, Jamshedpur, one of the premium B-schools of India, a dream for many of us.
Having a diverse cohort of 113 individuals, with enriching experiences from various industries, has proven to be beneficial to me since it gave me the platform to exchange ideas, and viewpoints and build meaningful relationships. It also helped me to borrow their strengths during my academic sessions, which are indeed rigorous & demanding. The subjects which are taught here lead to an all-around individual development through participant-centric pedagogies and case-study teaching & it helped me connect dots between my seven years of professional experience and the business world. The learnings from this course added an additional layer of knowledge & skills on top of existing industrial experience & helped me get a better understanding of the business: its policies & its strategies. I can state unequivocally that my learning has been multifaceted. With my wealth of knowledge and my newly acquired abilities, I am confident that I will be able to contribute more productively to the company for which I will be working and be an inspirational leader. All the experiences combined; I can say for sure that this has been one of my most challenging & fruitful experiences.
I started my professional career as a GET at Tata Motors. Having spent almost seven years in Strategic Sourcing, I excelled in problem-solving by resolving various supply chain issues. To understand the functioning of other business verticals and to synergize the various business functions, I decided to pursue a master’s in management. I chose to do my master's at XLRI Jamshedpur after completing extensive research on the different business institutions in India.
The one-year PGDM (GM) program of XLRI is one of the best in the country for experienced professionals. Studying at XLRI, I realized that the subjects and their syllabus were designed very carefully to keep them abreast with the current market and business environment. The institute took utmost care in providing support in acquiring the latest tools and trends to understand different perspectives of the industries.
Meeting peers from diverse industry backgrounds helped me to learn about other industries and to apply the concepts while solving various real-life business scenarios. My prior job experience and the XLRI teaching technique have enabled me to continually reinvent myself each day as I go through this course's simulations of real-world business issues. The course helped me to develop my leadership and people management abilities while also providing me with a comprehensive understanding of numerous facets of business through outstanding academics, group projects, and interactions with peers from diverse sectors and work cultures.
As a result, I determined that Product Management was one of the Career Paths I could investigate. To create products that add value, I could draw on my prior operational knowledge and mix it with the strategic and management abilities I've developed during the program. I was able to prepare myself for a career in product management with the aid of the comprehensive pedagogy, numerous industrial links, and resources accessible. Consequently, I was able to secure the Job in a Product Management role. I personally believe that the experience has been like visiting a huge library. It has been a trip where there are an infinite amount of materials and avenues accessible, and I am convinced that I have come out not just knowing what to think about but also how to think.
Having spent over 7 years in the industry I decided to take up the flagship management program at XLRI to leverage my strong technical skills and further build important skills like critical thinking and decision making to transition into a managerial role. I firmly believed that the combination of my experience and the knowledge that I would gain from this program would enable me to take the next step in my career. Taking this decision at this point in my career was not easy and I had high expectation from the program and XLRI. Having undergone the transformational program I am happy to state that the program exceeded my expectations and I was able to achieve my aspirations of moving into a senior management position at one of the top automobile companies in the world. The overall experience has had a significant impact and the pedagogy and support the program and the wonderful professors at XLRI have provided has helped me nurture a better understanding of the finer aspects of business and management. I believe that this was a crucial decision in my life, and I am better off for having decided to undergo this wonderful journey which has helped me grow both personally and professionally.
I received a Mechanical Engineering degree from YCCE Nagpur and began my professional career there as a GET. I had the chance to work in strategy, operations, supply chain, project management, and process excellence during my nearly six years at TASL. Working for a renowned aerospace and defense organization in our nation was a wonderful experience. I had the honor of working with prestigious clients like Boeing, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and others, but for some reason, my career did not advance as I had hoped. One major factor was that I did not have a post-graduate degree from a reputable institution.
I developed a plan to look for post-graduation options, and the XLRI PGDM (GM) program was at the top of my list. Fortunately, I was given the chance to pursue my PGDM at XLRI. After arriving and staying for a few weeks, I was overjoyed that I had chosen to enroll in this course at XLRI. I was greatly motivated to align my future career goal with the consulting industry through strategies and cases. The case analysis and case-solving component of the PGDM (GM) is the best part because it teaches you a lot about various industries, circumstances, and actions taken by business leaders to grow their businesses in difficult times as well as how mistakes in judgment can have a significant negative impact on your company.
I was able to pursue the career I was passionate about thanks to my time spent learning and developing at XLRI. Anyone looking to advance their education and guide their organization into the future should definitely consider this program. Change is unavoidable if you want to advance in your career, I can say that with confidence.
I started my career as an IT Technology consultant at Accenture in 2016. During my tenure at Accenture, I got the opportunity to work across multiple domains for multiple clients operating across 5 geographies.
I started as SAP Business Objects Developer and gradually progressed to spearhead a team of 10 members. I also got the opportunity to work on reporting backend, i.e. SAP HANA CDS Views and SAP Analytic Cloud, the on-cloud version of SAP Reporting.
During my 6 years journey at Accenture, I received multiple accolades and appreciation from Accenture leadership and clients for exemplary work, agility, and ownership during challenging project executions.
My journey of transformation from a technical professional to a management professional has been full of rigor and hard work. This program has helped me not only in my learning but also in building my overall personality. When I look at my MBA journey, I can undoubtedly say the learning has been multi-dimensional. Every day has been a new challenge, but it contained the learnings of a lifetime. The knowledge that I have gained and the memories which I have collected will be cherished for life. I feel esteemed that I will be graduating from this prestigious institution, and I hope to carry forward it’s legacy lifelong.
“A man who wins, is a man who thinks he can.”-Roger Federer
My professional journey started as a Graduate Engineer Trainee at AMW Motors Ltd, a heavy commercial vehicle manufacturer, post my B. Tech in Automobile Engineering from SRM University Chennai. I progressed to the role of Deputy Manager, Vendor Development, in my nine years of tenure with the company. The primary role included the timely development of Automotive Plastic, Rubber and Composite parts through Vendor partners spanning the length and breadth of the country. I got the opportunity to champion the launch of several new models, including the New Generation Truck. I also led several cross-functional assignments like Non-moving Inventory reduction, Engineering Change Note Implementation. My experience in these diverse fields of operations taught me the nuances of Supply Chain and Stakeholder Management, Techno-Commercial Negotiation, and Logistics.
“Change is the only constant in life”. When the Black Swan event of Covid-19 hit us, the entire world came to its knees. My organization was no different. After fighting valiantly against the big players, the event proved to be too much for the David of the CV industry. But as they say, “Not all storms come to disrupt your life. Some come to clear your path”. This phase allowed me to stand back, take stock of my life and my journey, and decide what path I wanted to take in the future. Formal education in management was the path I chose as it would impart the skillsets needed to succeed in a dynamic and challenging business environment.
My perseverance paid off when I received a call from the premier management education institute of India, XLRI Jamshedpur, for its flagship PGDM(GM) program. I was always fascinated by how different functions of an organization play their part and collaborate like well-fitted cogs to help an organization achieve its goals. I wanted to learn about these aspects in greater detail. The General Management Program of XLRI Jamshedpur has opened up this world to me. Subjects like Managerial Communication, Managerial Economics, Corporate Finance, Corporate Strategy, Operations Management, and Managing Human Behavior taught by some of the nation’s best faculties pushed the learning curve exponentially. The Case study and simulation-based teaching approach, outstanding peers, Leadership talk series from renowned industry leaders, and the alumni network provided an opportunity for 360-degree growth and a global viewpoint. My learnings, along with my previous experience, have enabled me to transition to the role of a Business Consultant, where I am confident that the acquired skills and my ability to empathize will help me to take a holistic view and solve diverse industrial problems. Most importantly, XLRI Jamshedpur has given me lasting friendships, and I have emerged as a better person on the other side.
Since childhood, I have always been passionate about presenting my thoughts in front of people, inspiring them in any possible way. I have always taken keen interest in interacting with people, discussing ideas with others and expressing my own.
This quality of mine led me into participating in a lot of public speaking events like debates, panel discussions and speech contests from a very young age representing both at intra school and college as well as regional levels. More than winning these competitions what interested me were the diverse viewpoints that people can hold on the same subject and how it is no less than an art to sell your thoughts and motivate a person with your perspective. I soon realized I have this innate skill, where I have been often told even by my managers, “If we enter the boardroom with a “no” in our minds, Aparajita has the capability to turn it into a “yes”, a quality which I later explored and succeeded with convincing clients and stakeholders to work out a possible win-win in multiple high value projects .
My passion for public interaction took a different turn when I joined TCS as a fresher 5 years back and got introduced to an International public speaking club called “Toastmasters International”. Here I got involved in this community of informed and expressive individuals of varying age groups , inspiring others with the magic of their thoughts and ideas. It provided me a platform to learn the art of absorbing information, synthesizing it, forming nuanced opinions and discussing them with other members.
I have been part of the IT industry for close to 6 years now where I have worked with various giants like TCS, HCL R&D ,Ernst and Young (E&Y) Global Delivery services (GDS) and now UST Global where I have taken up multiple roles starting from being a full stack developer to business analyst, scrum master and now a technology lead. I had the exposure to both the solution side as well as the business side of the industry which in my eyes made me a perfect fit for this program.I have worked across various tools and technologies, managed cutting edge projects and handled high value clients in my tenure.
As this program aims towards transforming professionals to business managers, it has definitely aided me in interacting with diverse group of highly motivated individuals in case studies and to the management academia as a whole including excellent professors. It has helped me to become the manager in making.
The various case competitions that I have participated has enhanced my consulting skills which will help me perform better in my upcoming organisations.
"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." - Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States.
I began my professional life at Siemens as a GTE after studying electrical engineering at Jadavpur University in 2012. During my tenure at Siemens, I realized the necessity of having a strategic mentality and a comprehensive understanding of the business through my interactions with the leadership team. This is why I felt that getting an MBA was the best course of action for me to pursue my future career goals.
The prestigious MBA program at XLRI is a rigorous and challenging program that provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today's fast-paced and ever-changing business environment. For me, the program serves as a catalyst for personal and professional growth, leading to increased self-awareness, a more strategic mindset, and a global perspective.
Throughout the program, I have had the opportunity to reflect on my strengths and weaknesses and receive feedback from classmates and professors. This process of self-reflection and introspection is essential for my personal development, as it allows me to identify areas for improvement and set future goals.
In addition to fostering personal growth, the MBA program at XLRI also emphasises the importance of strategic thinking. Through coursework and case studies, I learn how to analyse complex problems, identify key drivers, and develop effective solutions. This skill set is essential for success in today's fast-paced and ever-changing business environment and can be applied to a wide range of industries and roles.
The MBA program at XLRI also provides me with the opportunity to develop a global perspective. Through the diverse student body, international guest speakers, and global case studies, I learn to understand and appreciate different cultures, perspectives, and ways of doing business. This understanding is vital in today's interconnected world and can be a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
Finally, the MBA program at XLRI also provides me with a valuable network of contacts and relationships. Through the program, I can form connections with classmates, professors, and alumni that can be leveraged for career opportunities, mentorship, and networking.
In conclusion, the MBA program at XLRI is a transformative journey that provides me with the knowledge, skills, and perspective needed to succeed in today's fast-paced and ever-changing business environment. Through self-awareness, strategic thinking, global perspective, and networking, I am well-prepared for the next phase of my career.
I have been always fascinated by the power of technology and how it can shape the future. Thus, after engineering, I joined a technology firm to understand more about the technology needs behind the products. In speaking with customers, I got to understand the rationale behind a product vision, realizing that a successful product needs to be technologically strong and have a market proposition that brings revenue. I was instrumental in driving technological solutions, understanding consumer needs and translating business requirements to technical specifications. Continuing through, I joined a B2B enterprise to understand how the business’s come together to solve business problems, realizing that technology is always a basic and at the same time differentiating factor among organizations of all sizes. Working as a senior engineer I developed interpersonal and technical skills but I felt that I was a cog in the wheel and didn’t experience the joy of delivering a solution end to end. Therefore, I decided to pursue a management course to further my career in the field of management.
PGDM-GM at XLRI helped me in building a strong business knowledge over my existing skills and developing a multilateral perspective. The 15-month PGDM program taught me about a variety of topics, including Finance, Marketing, HR, General Management, Operations, and much more. Along with the curriculum, the leadership talks from various corporate leaders provided me with insights into industries that assisted me in broadening my horizons. The program taught me how to work effectively under pressure, manage time and collaborate efficiently.
At XLRI, the program helped to further my interpersonal skills, in general through numerous discussions and interactions with a diverse set of peers and faculty, and the case-based curriculum equipped me with the capability to solve real-world problems effectively. Apart from classroom training, the different committees at XLRI helped me to hone my skills in team development and develop my interests. Learning and networking throughout the year with a talented pool of candidates strengthened my business acumen and set me on course towards my career and personal goals.
I had been working as a Senior Software Engineer at Bosch Global Software for the past 6 years, in the PowerTrain Solutions domain. As a step forward, when I got selected to become a Senior Manager at Volvo’s Electromobility division – I decided to broaden my knowledge beyond the technical aspects of my job, before stepping into a senior role. After much consideration, I decided to resign and pursue my General Management course at XLRI.
XLRI has provided me with a good platform in terms of conceptual learning. It has helped me build a foundational concept across different disciplines like sustainability, ethics, economics, strategy, marketing as well as finance, to name a few. Being part of the Professional Mentorship Programme (PMP) was a good opportunity for me strategize and deliver a structured mentoring programme for the students. With it I got the opportunity to understand the aspirations and interests of my fellow batchmates, interact with over 200 industry leaders from India and abroad and to come with a good strategy to meet the programme’s goals. In addition to this the experience in interacting with other 112 students who have excellent knowledge and experience in varying domains has helped me add values to my learnings here.
Overall, I feel that my journey has been transformative. By stepping out of my comfort zone and pursuing a new field, I have gained valuable experiences and skills that will undoubtedly serve me well in my future endeavours. The knowledge and skills I gained at XLRI will undoubtedly help me excel and grow from my role at Publicis Sapient as a Product Manager.
As a Senior Project Engineer at Wipro, I was responsible for managing and overseeing software projects from start to finish. My role included planning, executing, and delivering projects within budget and on schedule. I also had to ensure that my team met the client's requirements and satisfaction, and that any issues or risks were identified and addressed as soon as possible.
After working as a Senior Project Engineer for some time, I realized that I wanted to take on a more strategic and leadership role in my career. I decided to pursue PGDM(GM) from XLRI to enhance my skills and knowledge in business management and leadership.
During my MBA program, I gained knowledge and hands-on experience in various business areas such as finance, marketing, operations, and strategy. I also learned about new and emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices. The PGDM(GM) program helped me develop a more holistic perspective on business and improved my decision-making abilities.
My career transformation journey from being a Senior Project Engineer at Wipro to a Product Manager at Publicis Sapient after PGDM(GM) from XLRI was an enriching and rewarding experience. It required me to work hard, learn new skills, and take on new challenges.
I have worked in the engineering services industry for 5+ years with Cyient Ltd. and gained a handsome amount of knowledge. During my tenure at Cyient, I got the opportunity to learn quite a few things and work on various projects and connect with extraordinary people. I had the opportunity to work with customers from different regions of the world.
After 5+ years of experience in the aerospace field, I decided to pursue an MBA to expand my knowledge in business and management. I learned about finance, marketing, and strategy, which helped me understand how to create value for organizations. I also developed my leadership and communication skills, which are crucial for managing teams and communicating with stakeholders.
The alumni network of XLRI has helped me tremendously to understand the nuances of subjects and the various facets of the business. We are constantly mentored by industry experts to understand the current industry trends and how to adapt to the ever-changing nature of business. The esteemed faculty of XLRI is well known for their knowledge base and their ability to transform students. It is always a pleasure to learn from them. The pedagogy of the course, with a mix of theoretical and case-based learning systems and a diverse cohort, is a blessing. Overall, it has been a transcendental journey in XLRI.
It is needless to say that this course has helped me to transform my career aligned with my aspiration. I will always be grateful to this college, and I hope to live up to its expectations.
After receiving my B.E. in Mechatronics Engineering from GCET Vallabh Vidyanagar, I began my professional career as an Executive Engineer in the L&T-Aerospace & Defense Business. I was a member of a project management team for some high-profile national initiatives. Later, I was given control of L&T's manufacture for a missile program. It was a terrific experience to manage a team of more than 100 employees. The management of technique, machine, and material was another important part of manufacturing that I studied.
After 9 years with L&T, 1.5 years of managing the family business (textiles) alongside my father, I took on the challenge of joining a consulting firm before enrolling in the XLRI PGDM (GM) program. After spending 11 years working in various value chain functions, I felt that while I was good at some of them, I wasn't at home in others, including finance and marketing. I wanted to develop my talents to better understand business. I applied for XLRI PGDM and I was accepted into it. I believe that I made the proper choice in hindsight. I have learned a tremendous amount from my professors and peers.
My connection with time has changed, and it has made me a better person. I had the good fortune to be hired by Tech Mahindra, who offered me a position as a business consultant. I'm excited to put my newfound knowledge to use in my new position and advance along the career path I had planned for myself.
I come with 6 years of rich & progressive experience in all facets of Business Development, Marketing, Retail Credit Processing, Audit and Branch Operations in Corporates and Public Sector banks. I had proved myself many times in academics and in my job role by achieving Guild of Excellence award, fast-track promotions and growth from being a Customer Associate to Manager (Scale III) within a span of 5 years and securing top ranks in various national level PSU examinations. Still transformation from a managerial role to a leadership role had always been my dream which was yet to come true.
The enthusiasm and thrill of getting an admission offer from one of the top B-schools, XLRI, are unparalleled. The PGDM(GM) course is unique in itself as it gives only the 5+ years experienced professionals the chance to enhance their skills and ability to excel further. The decision, though, wasn’t an easy one; to resign from a secured job as a Manager and that too at a time of an economic slowdown was tough. But what convinced me to take the plunge was the rich and vibrant legacy of XLRI and the experience and learnings that were to come along with it. Now when I roll back a year, I can say with conviction that it was one of the best decisions of my life.
Since I started my journey in this renowned institute in June 2022, I have treasured every moment of my experience. The courses offered by some of the most outstanding professors in the nation provided the necessary framework for studying the critical components of any business. I could comprehend multiple views and build the proper perspective by working on numerous course-related activities with great individuals from diverse industries.
The above factors played a critical role during the placement process. I still vividly remember the motivational speech by the Placement Convenor and how the Placement team instilled enthusiasm and spirit before facing the campus placement interviews. It made me mentally stronger and helped me crack the Enterprise Strategy Consultant interview in the esteemed organisation IBM. Moving from a bank to one of the biggest Corporate in the world is indeed a vast transformation. This was only possible with the platform given by XLRI.
The overall immersion experience the school gave me during my MBA journey was fascinating and enriching, giving me the necessary tools and skill sets to confront the difficulties of life, as well as helping me develop into a better person.
I, Ayush Upadhyay, am an Urban Planning graduate from School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada. Before joining XLRI’s PGDM (GM) program, I had worked mostly in consulting sector and within consulting the domain was restricted to Government Advisory. The work experience before joining XLRI gave me rich exposure on intricacies of client management, cultivating and managing business opportunities, client delivery, development, and relationships. XLRI helped to gain the right direction to use the skill I have developed over the years. The program equipped me with the in-depth knowledge of economics, accounting, finance, marketing, operations, strategy, managerial communications, organization behavior, human resource management, legal aspects of business and business ethics.
The knowledge gained during my MBA and the rigor of the curriculum have prepared us to deliver in actual business environment. The one-year MBA program is specifically designed for professionals who have significant years of work experience and want to upskill themselves. This program really helped me to gain the right direction and I got placed in AXIS BANK as Assistant Vice President. The role offered to me will be related to wholesale banking coverage group (WBCG) where I will look after B2B sales and management of key accounts. In my understanding, this role will provide me with enough opportunities, and it is the perfect meeting point to apply the skills I have developed over the years and the knowledge I have gained at XLRI Jamshedpur. I am really happy that I have joined XLRI’s PGDM (GM) program and it has contributed significantly in my career transformation.
I began my professional journey as a Research Engineer with Hyundai, India's second-largest automaker. Over the course of 7.5 years, I gained valuable experience by contributing to the design and development of interior door trims for the highly successful Hyundai I20 and Kia Seltos models. This opportunity helped me to hone my decision-making and negotiation skills, and also develop expertise in vendor selection and management. Furthermore, I had the privilege of visiting the South Korean R&D headquarters to evaluate design models.
From my perspective, ongoing learning is vital to remain up-to-date and achieve long-term career success. Having gained experience in product design and development, I desired to expand my knowledge to work in a more dynamic setting where I could use my product management experience and take on a leadership role on a larger scale. Consequently, I made the decision to resign from my previous job and enroll in the PGDM-GM program at XLRI, Jamshedpur, to commence a new phase of my career.
Since I began my journey at this esteemed institution in June 2022, every moment has been cherished. The courses taught by some of the country's top faculty laid a strong foundation for comprehending vital aspects of any business. Collaborating on numerous course-related assignments with accomplished individuals from diverse sectors enabled me to gain insight into varying perspectives and cultivate a well-rounded outlook.
The above factors played a critical role during the placement process. By utilizing the skills, I acquired during my MBA and showcasing my relevant experience, I excelled in an interview for the Product Manager position at Jio Digital. I am confident that the lessons I learned during my MBA will be invaluable in my everyday life, providing me with a practical mindset and a framework for approaching and navigating challenging business situations successfully.
My journey of career transformation through XLRI was a life-changing experience that has had a profound impact on my professional and personal growth. Prior to joining XLRI, I was working as MTS in a start-up that offered significant challenges and opportunities for growth. However, I wanted to be the one at the helm of making decisions, and to become that, I knew that I needed to make a change.
After much research, I decided to pursue a Post Graduate Diploma in Management specializing in General Management from XLRI. The program's comprehensive curriculum covered a broad range of topics, from leadership and strategy to finance and marketing, providing me with a solid foundation for advancing my career.
Throughout the program, I was challenged to think critically and develop innovative solutions to complex problems. The faculty was incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, and they pushed us to think beyond our comfort zones.
One of the most significant takeaways from the program was the emphasis on collaboration and teamwork. The program's structure encouraged us to work together on group projects, which helped me develop my communication and leadership skills. Additionally, the diverse cohort allowed me to learn from my peers, who came from different industries and backgrounds and gain valuable insights into different perspectives and experiences.
Since completing the program, I have seen a significant transformation in my career trajectory. I have been chosen for a middle-management position within Mahindra automotive, catering to my significant interest in the Automotive sector, and I have been able to apply the skills and knowledge gained from the program to drive innovation and growth. More importantly, I have found a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment in my career, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Prior to joining XLRI, I worked as a Business Analyst in Emerson, IT sector and my focus area was Oracle ERP SCM. As a student and a corporate employee, I have always been quite critical of the products I use and have an incorrigible predisposition towards their purpose and the problem statement they seek to solve.
And this was one of the reasons why I decided to get an MBA and work on the opposite end of all that. Isn't that amazing? You will be responsible for the creation and life cycle of such innovative products. It will undoubtedly keep me on my toes.
I will be in charge of working and managing any existing or upcoming Jio products and services. Jio is presently spearheading India's digital transformation effort, with its offerings disrupting the industry and establishing new ground rules, shifting market patterns, and drawing audiences into the new digital age, all while offering reasonable prices. Apart from that, Jio's start-up culture is a terrific learning curve for anyone. What better than their "Made In India" flavour? Jio Platform will allow an individual as curious as me to transition to an area of interest from a wide range of domain offerings such as e-commerce, lifestyle, retail, media and entertainment, telecom, and so on.
I am ready and ecstatic to be a part of this journey.
Having worked as a software professional in the SAP Utilities sector, I recognized the need to enhance my business acumen and leadership skills to succeed in the rapidly evolving Digital transformation space. This motivated me to pursue a program at XLRI Jamshedpur, where I could gain the necessary knowledge and expertise to become a more effective leader in this dynamic field.
The PGDM(GM) program has been an invaluable experience, providing me with a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge to excel in the corporate world. Specifically, the courses on Digital Transformation, Marketing Strategy, and Organizational Behaviour have been instrumental in honing my ability to understand customer needs and pain points. Through the case study approach, I have gained the ability to critically evaluate existing corporate strategies and anticipate potential disruptions. As a result, I have developed nuanced heuristics that enable me to make complex decisions with greater speed and precision. Overall, the Executive PGDM program has transformed my perspective and equipped me with the tools to thrive in today's fast-paced business environment.
Having had a fantastic transformational experience and engaging interactions with peers, I feel well-equipped to start a new chapter in my corporate career, armed with all the valuable lessons and skills imparted to me during my time at XLRI over the past year!
When kings and monarchs still ruled the lands in the distant past, a wise king donated his entire army and all of his career-earned wealth to charity. He only gave his heir-designate a sword and a horse, telling him to use them to reclaim the entire kingdom if he had the strength to do so. Although times have changed, values have not. Your education has taken the place of the sword in you, and your discipline has taken the place of the horse. I can say with the utmost pride and confidence that you get both the sword and the horse at XLRI after experiencing the thrilling PGDM(GM) journey.
In life, transformation always takes place; it just takes time. Deciding that you won't stay where you are is the first step toward moving forward. Without imaginative and faith-based risks, we lose the thrill of potential, and dreaming is after all a form of planning. I underwent a personal and professional transformation during this program at XLRI Jamshedpur, and I'm looking forward to the lessons this new position will teach me.
I've always wanted to use my past experiences in combination with the business knowledge I've gained through my MBA program to assist the core businesses in my nation in improving. I was ecstatic when I aced the interview at Yash Technologies. I realized then that by switching to consulting, I had completely changed my career and would be able to use both my past and present to shape my future.
To Conclude an MBA from XLRI not only promised me exponential career-transforming growth, but it also provided me with opportunities to improve personally. My life has undergone a significant transformation over the past few months as a result of my determination to overcome numerous obstacles, impasses, and individuals. I have also undergone metamorphosis and made critical decisions, sometimes in the face of insurmountable odds, to break free from these constraints and build my fortress of success.
Prior to joining XLRI, I worked in the very specific field of cloud transformation for technology like salesforce. I was exposed to various cutting-edge tools and developed a good knack for building models as a result. Throughout my professional career, I frequently had the chance to communicate with clients. I also gained a decent knowledge of how business needs and technological capabilities weren't always compatible. This led me to concentrate more on the business approach by speaking with clients frequently and making connections between their needs and my own.
I decided to pursue an MBA at XLRI because I was curious to see things from a business standpoint, and because of its General Management programme. In addition to understanding the advantages of each market area and the most recent technology advancements, the course enabled me to interact with people from a variety of technical backgrounds and industries.
I had the chance to participate in Indegene's campus placement, and they chose me for a position in programme management role. The new job is a fantastic chance to connect technological advancements with business needs. I'm confident that I'll use my existing technical expertise along with my newly acquired commercial acumen to assist clients with cutting-edge technologies.
XLRI Jamshedpur: The Catalyst for my Transition from Flipkart to HSBC
Leaving a comfortable job and taking up a new role in a different industry is always challenging, but it becomes easier when you have the right skills and knowledge to make a successful transition. My transition from Flipkart to HSBC as a project manager was made possible due to the excellent education and training, I received at XLRI Jamshedpur.
As a Department Manager at Flipkart, I had developed good managerial skills and a strong understanding of the e-commerce industry. However, I was keen to explore new opportunities and challenges that would enable me to utilize my skills and knowledge to their fullest potential. That’s when I decided to pursue an MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur.
The PGDM General Management program at XLRI was rigorous, intense, and provided me with the right mix of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The curriculum was designed to expose students to various management subjects, including finance, marketing, human resources, operations, and strategy. The faculty at XLRI were experts in their respective fields and provided valuable insights and perspectives on the latest trends and best practices in the industry.
Apart from the classroom sessions, XLRI also provided us with various opportunities to apply our learning in real-world scenarios. I participated in various case competitions, business simulations, and consulting projects. These experiences not only helped me develop my problem-solving and analytical skills but also gave me exposure to different industries and functional areas.
Another critical aspect of XLRI’s MBA program is its emphasis on leadership and ethics. The program instilled in me a sense of social responsibility and ethical conduct, which I believe are essential qualities for any successful manager. XLRI’s Jesuit philosophy of ‘Magis,’ meaning ‘the greater good,’ has stayed with me even after completing my MBA and continues to guide my decisions and actions.
Upon completing my MBA, I was well-equipped to take on new challenges in different industries. The skills and knowledge I acquired at XLRI were highly transferable and enabled me to make a successful transition to HSBC as a project manager. The role required me to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work with cross-functional teams, and communicate effectively with stakeholders. The project management concepts and tools that I learned at XLRI were highly relevant and useful in this role.
After graduating from Institute of Technical Education & Research with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering a few years ago, most of my classmates went on to further higher education or follow their chosen careers. On the other hand, I wanted to gain industry experience before deciding on a career path, so I joined Asahi India Glass Limited as Junior Officer in Material Planning & Control (Supply Chain Management).
My professional experience made me familiar with changing team dynamics, employee engagement and building leadership capabilities. I received constant appreciation from my colleagues and top management for continuously driving the team and different projects and my eagerness to learn new things, deal with challenges and come up with solutions to succeed. Appreciations soon translated to fast-track promotions within a span of 2 years of getting inducted into the department. During these five years, I learned a lot from my seniors and colleagues.
While working, I realised that I needed to go beyond what I was doing in my job and should try to explore other areas of business, get a holistic view of the businesses and learn about different aspects of running a business in terms of strategy, finance, human resources and many more. This was when I decided to go for an MBA. Finally, in 2021, I decided it was time to take the next step in my career, so I started preparing for management exams and appeared for the XAT entrance. I got admission in Ex-PGDM Course at XLRI, Jamshedpur batch 2022-2023.
The reason behind choosing a one-year programme over a two-year course was that the students joining this course would come from different backgrounds and industries, allowing me to have good peer learning and know more about various domains and industries.
Joining XLRI from Day 1 was about starting a journey full of learning in terms of professional and personal development. Having gone through this MBA journey, I can confidently say that it completely transforms you as an individual, not just socially but also professionally. It has taught me to think and convey ideas with clarity, critically evaluate complex business problems, and develop innovative solutions. It has forced me to come out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to collaborate, become a competent team player and have a broad-minded approach to dealing with problems.
I can undoubtedly say the learning has been multi-dimensional. It has opened up multiple avenues for professional growth and numerous opportunities for me to explore my journey of professional excellence. With newly learned skills and abundant knowledge, I can contribute more effectively to the organisation I will work for and become the competent leader I have always aspired for.
I joined XLRI to take a break from the corporate world and to upskill myself in management studies. When I received the admission letter for the one-year PGDM GM program, I realized that my life would never be the same, neither professional nor personal. That the one year I spend in XLRI would prove to be the most transformative year of my life, and that happened indeed.
I am a BSc graduate, who has 5+ years of work experience in start-ups, and organizations like NASSCOM and Great Learning. Although I was doing well for myself before joining XLRI, I always expected more of myself- I saw myself rising to a position where I could actually create a dent in the organization and in the industry as a whole. ‘Management’ was a keyword in all the roles I undertook in my organizations, and thus I thought why not become better at it? Hence began the hunt for an MBA program that could provide me with a platform to upskill myself in the management domain and take a step toward becoming a leader. Luckily, XLRI happened and now I have been placed with one of the leading and most reputed education brands in India- FIITJEE Ltd., where, I can proudly say that I have landed a senior position in the National Academic Delivery and Strategic Operations team.
My journey at XLRI has been simply incredible. The curriculum, the faculty, my peers and friends here, and the culture of XLRI have come together to shape my life irrevocably. XLRI has opened up such avenues for me which seemed unimaginable at one point in time, and truly this experience is inexplicable. You only realize the importance of an MBA degree from a top-tier college, a couple of years down the line. For all this and much more, I shall be forever indebted to XLRI.
The PGDM(GM) has been an amazing journey for me in terms of adding value to what I have learned in a different tangent. Being in the social sector for 8 years has given me exposure to ground-level challenges and people management. I felt the need to upskill myself and give a business and management perspective to my learnings. The course has given me a lens to see the world from a business perspective.
The course curriculum has a wide spread of subjects that taught me finance and people management. The diversity of fellow batchmates brought a flavor of peer learning. The faculty here is amazing and gave direction in a way that the journey seemed much more interesting to me. Exposure to various aspects like rural immersion programs, outbound programs, and internship have been more valuable than I thought and expected. The sessions that I have been part of gave me diverse knowledge of various industries and industry leaders.
The kind of transformation that I got in XLRI professionally and personally is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me that I would like to cherish, especially the learnings and time that I got throughout the course at XLRI.
I was working as a Customer Network Support Engineer in Ericsson India Global Services Pvt. Ltd. I joined this organisation in October 2016 and spent beautiful 5.7 years here. I learnt a lot of skills while working with Ericsson. I got amazing team and management. Ericsson is an organisation that focuses greatly on the development of its employees and I enjoyed every day working here.
After a few years, the learning and skill upgradation started to reach a plateau. This is when I decided to pursue higher education and made up my mind to go for MBA. I started preparing for the entrance exams and after rigorous preparation, got into XLRI, one of the finest institutions of the country. I joined the flagship PGDM (GM) program of XLRI. Here, I got to further enhance my skill set, learnt a lot of new things and understood how to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. One of the key learnings provided by XLRI was the inculcation of structure in all the thoughts that we come across.
Things took a turn for the best when I got into HSBC as a Project Manager. This was a rigorous process with 2 technical interviews of 1.2 hours each followed by an HR interview. It gave me immense pleasure to be associated with one of the best banks and organisations to be associated with worldwide. I plan to utilise the learnings and skills I have developed in XLRI in the new workplace and believe these learnings would help me excel in HSBC and in all the future endeavours.
I started working for Tata Technologies Ltd. as a Design Engineer after receiving my B. Tech. in Mechanical Engineering. After spending nine fruitful years working for the company working as Design Engineer and Process Engineer, which also included nearly 6 years working onsite in the UK, I considered taking the next step and enrolling in an MBA program. I was already married by then and therefore couldn’t spare 2 years on a regular MBA. Neither was I willing to get an MBA through part-time and correspondence. Fortunately, I found PGDM(GM) program perfect to cater to my needs. I studied hard and cleared the XAT test to go into XLRI PGDM(GM). For me, important factors in choosing the program were a rise in my professional trajectory, which allowed me to make a bigger influence on the ecosystem and use the important lessons and experiences to pave the way for a better future.
I feel that by enrolling in the XLRI general management program, I quickly acquired an understanding of the most important topics including those in Finance, Marketing, Communication, Legal, etc. The course also enabled me to engage with some of the most brilliant minds in the nation, accept responsibility for my actions, and develop a wider perspective. I was elected a member of the Infrastructure committee, which is a four-member committee that acts as a liaison between the administration and the students regarding infrastructure maintenance, upgradation, and grievance redressal. As a member, I learned Prioritization, stakeholder management, and conflict resolution along with skills to resolve individual issues. This also gave me the opportunity to interact with the workmen in XLRI, and understand their working processes which would have been difficult to learn in any other place.
The curriculum looked to be very exhaustive and challenging at the beginning of the course, but now looking back, I realize that this pressure was intended to be so to make us ready to handle the pressure in the managerial life ahead, to make us ready for the uncertainties that lie outside or as we call VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, complex and ambiguous )world.
I wanted to move into automation and process/ productivity improvement and got my dream job in Searce. The college provided me with rigorous preparation to help me get the job. I was assigned an Industry mentor, who was not just a guide, but also a companion and motivator who guided me through the program.
The PGDM(GM) curriculum, in my opinion, is a complete package for every aspiring manager with substantial industry experience. Using the case-based approach to teaching provides learning in a true sense. The most important lessons are the need to take chances since the last successful gamble pays for all the others. Additionally, stay upbeat and prepare for the unexpected, but keep in mind that relative grades are only assessed during the course and not a day after it.
On considering a career change, go for it! Life is short-lived, and you've got to take it while it's there and run with it- Michelle Lombardo
This quote captures the essence of my willingness and desire to pursue my career dreams. Before starting my MBA journey, I worked as a Manager in Reliance Industries Ltd., wherein I got to wear various hats. Working closely with my company's mid-management leaders was a requirement of my job. Their decision-making abilities astounded me numerous times. But sometimes I felt uncomfortable when policy and reality did not match, and I was not able to bring any change. I understood what value business knowledge could bring to the table by being in a correct team and MBA might land me up there.
While the career in the five years had given me immense learning that I was deeply immersed in, I felt certain skills were needed as one goes forward in one's career. With limited perspective and understanding of business, the journey would be difficult. So, I decided to devote myself full time to learning and follow the mantra of "Learn, Unlearn and Relearn," wherein I wanted to get into the phase of unlearning and relearning. This learning desire made me land at XLRI, Jamshedpur, one of the country's most seasoned and reputed B schools.
The willingness of personal and career transformation primarily guided me in pursuing an MBA. However, the procedure was not simple. The transformation takes a lot of time and requires a lot of effort. The environment at XLRI in the Ex-PGDM course has taught me to be innovative and meticulous in my approach to any strategic goals set for a professional. This program has broadened my horizons and has aided me in viewing issues with various dimensions and a different perspective overall. Additionally, it taught me how to survive and work in a virtually connected platform in these challenging times and still build valuable connections for a lifetime.
The program carries international prestige among the employers; at the same time, it has delivered me high-quality networking opportunities with the brightest minds. It has aided me to come out of my comfort zone and explore the recent business trends and apply the latest tools and techniques to challenge myself to improve business, teams, and collaboration. Another important lesson that I learned was that society, humanity, and the environment are the most important stakeholders, and sustainable development is the only way forward for value creation.
The knowledge and skills that you will gain from completing this program will prepare you for a successful career and help you differentiate yourself in the workforce. I would highly recommend the ExPGDM program to all individuals eager to prepare themselves for a successful and rewarding future.
With years to follow in my career, this one year would be the pivot that has changed the trajectory for the rest of my life.
"Opportunities don't happen, you create them."—Chris Grosser.
Life offers us numerous opportunities, but there comes a moment when we get that one shot to transform our lives and pursue our dreams. It's crucial to seize that moment and make it count.
For me, that life-changing moment arrived after almost six years in Sales at Godrej Interio. While at Godrej & Boyce, I had the pleasure of working in diverse roles, from overseeing Channel Sales to managing Expansion in Jharkhand. But the highlight of my journey was undoubtedly leading Digital Marketing Campaigns for four states - an experience that I relished.
However, I knew I had hit a plateau and needed to step out of my comfort zone. That's when I set my sights on an MBA and poured my heart and soul into preparing for the entrance exams. After clearing them, I was ecstatic to be accepted into XLRI's General Management program, which promised to be a game-changer for my career.
XLRI's transformational ecosystem facilitated my holistic growth, which enabled me to secure my dream role as a consultant at IBM. The program was designed for seasoned professionals like myself who aimed to take their careers to new heights. The faculty was top-notch, and the curriculum was exceptional. The diverse cohort was another highlight, comprising individuals from different backgrounds, nationalities, and skill sets.
An MBA is more than just academics and job prospects. It's a journey that tests our resilience and equips us with the tools to perform under pressure. The sleepless nights spent preparing for exams, delivering presentations, and submitting assignments were all worth it.
Looking back, my time at XLRI was unforgettable. I met some amazing individuals who've become lifelong friends, and I cherish the memories of my time on campus.
Experienced as a software professional in an e-commerce space, I joined XLRI Jamshedpur to hone my business skills and knowledge to become a better leader.
Courses such as Digital Transformation, Marketing Strategy and Organizational Behaviour provided interesting tools to understand the customer needs and pain points better. From critically evaluating an existing corporate strategy to being aware of unforeseen disruption, the case study approach of PGDM GM helped me develop nuanced heuristics in making complex decisions faster.
The course pedagogy and real time industry insights through various series of guest lectures by industry leaders shape an overall career progression trajectory that’s unmatched. The cohort and the faculties provide deep insights and intellectual stimulation about various industries and there is a steep learning curve to shape one’s career.
This one year at XL has helped me reach nearer to my long-term goals and holistically developed approach to management that equips one for a bright and successful career. The program has transformed my thinking, approach to solving problems, and has helped me evolve into a sustainable and ethical industry leader.
With a wonderful transformational experience and stimulating peer interactions, I'm set to embark on a new journey in the corporate world with everything that XLRI has taught me in the last one year!
The PGDM GM programme spans the whole spectrum of management specialties. Also, the state-of-the-art curriculum and case-based pedagogy gave me access to the newest market trends, the domain-specific knowledge and abilities required by corporations. The PGDM GM Program at XLRI gave me a platform to develop my skills in a number of business fields. In areas like marketing, strategy, finance, and operations, I learned a variety of concepts and frameworks that will help me in my future professional career. Sharing a classroom with people from all backgrounds and field facilitated cross-functional training and enhanced the conversational as well as learning level in the classroom. Many of the disciplines included case discussions and simulations, allowing us to experience real-life challenges and apply our knowledge to solve the problems. We experienced first-hand how we will need to manage our work-life balance by working on a variety of projects and tasks with short deadlines. The management of effective organisations, operations, strategy, and leadership courses were of special appeal since they provided managers with useful abilities that they could use with their teams. Through group interactions and projects with colleagues from various industries and work cultures, the MBA helped me strengthen my leadership and people management abilities.
I was lucky enough to be placed at HSBC, where I am granted a Project Manager position. I'm eager to put what I've learned to work in my new position and carry on with the career I've planned for myself.
After having worked in the IT and BFSI industry for 6 years in Quality Assurance, I reflected on the experiences gained and realised the need to be more and go for something with higher meaning. XLRI provided me the platform to be more and helped me to transform my career. I feel more equipped with lot of tools and framework learned during the course. Professional Mentorship Programme (PMP) gave me the chance to strategize and execute a structured mentoring program and interact and connect with industry leaders in India and outside. I was able to hone my skills in critical thinking and am looking forward to put these elements to work in my journey with IBM as a Strategy Consultant. The different perspectives from fellow batchmates and the peer learning is another advantage from the course.
My time at XLRI has been both enlightening and exciting. I feel as though XLRI has helped my career move in the right path. It supported me during this shift thanks to the top-notch faculties and well-articulated curriculum. My mentors have been there for me the entire time to help me with the course, interview preparations and instilling some qualities required in corporate world. Combining classroom instruction with peer-to-peer learning enabled me to comprehend a variety of subjects with relative ease. The demanding nature of the course encouraged me to pick things up quickly, and the Guest Speaker Sessions kept us abreast of current business trends. There have been numerous conclaves where a day is set out for in-depth discussions with a variety of famous visitors who have revolutionised firms, and hearing them speak is quite motivating. In addition to the faculty members being extremely competent, kind, and humble, I am delighted that I was able to participate in this experience because of the faculty's engaging, practical, and refreshing teaching style.
I started my career with TCS in 2016 as a team member and gradually moved up to the position of a team lead where i led cross functional teams and managed stakeholders. I therefore sought for the best business schools in our nation that would help me accelerate my career , and XLRI provided me with the chance to enrol in one of its flagships PGDM programmes.
Group discussions, peer learning opportunities, and group projects has honed my skills, the challenging and fast-paced course has undoubtedly given me new insights into leadership and people management techniques. I was able to ace an interview for a Product manager role at Publicis Sapient by applying the insights, abilities, knowledge, and expertise I obtained through my MBA and the pertinent experience. Additionally, I'm certain to apply what I learned from the MBA to every day of my life, giving me a pragmatic perspective and framework for approaching and responding to successful business scenarios.
Some day you might find yourself sitting at your desk wondering what life would be like if you’ve chosen a different career path. In today’s world, it doesn’t even need to be a distant dream – career change is possible and a lot of people take the steps to change their career paths in wild ways.
6 years into the corporate world, I came across a confused stage in my life. A career jump was essential but a 2-year program wouldn’t quite cut it for me then as it wasn’t feasible to take that long a break. It was at this juncture that I came to learn of XLRI’s flagship 15-month management program – ExPGDM (General Management). This course was catered for working professionals with a good amount of industry experience, enabling them to grasp the latest in management theory, broadening their perspectives, and giving them the right platform to catapult their careers thereon. The course was rigorously designed to test one’s capabilities but made sure the necessary acumen was grasped by the students.
Overall XLRI’s ExPGDM program has been the right fit for me and I would strongly recommend this course to anybody fitting the criteria who would be looking to grow on a professional front.
My career transformation journey at XLRI has been an incredible experience that has opened up new opportunities and challenges. I started my professional journey in Industry 3.0, which focused on automation and mass production, and now I am getting the opportunity to work in manufacturing 4.0, which is more focused on digitization, data-driven decision-making, and advanced automation.
Before joining XLRI, I had spent several years in Industry 3.0 as a production engineer. I developed a keen interest in this field and gained considerable experience in optimizing production processes and reducing costs. However, as technology started advancing rapidly and the industry started moving towards Industry 4.0, I realized that I needed to upgrade my skills and knowledge to stay relevant in the industry.
That's when I decided to pursue a management degree in Operations and Supply Chain Management from XLRI. XLRI is renowned for its excellence in management education and is known to produce industry-ready graduates who can excel in the real world. During my time at XLRI, I had the opportunity to learn from some of the best faculty members in the country and interact with fellow students from diverse backgrounds.
One of the most significant changes that I experienced during my time at XLRI was a shift in my mindset. Previously, I was focused on improving production processes and reducing costs, but now I have a broader perspective on manufacturing. I now understand that manufacturing is not just about making products but also about creating value for customers and society at large. This has helped me develop a more holistic approach towards manufacturing and operations management.
One of the highlights of my time at XLRI was the exposure I received to cutting-edge technologies in the field of manufacturing 4.0. I was amazed at how technology was transforming the manufacturing industry and creating new opportunities for growth and innovation. XLRI gave me the opportunity to learn about technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) and how they can be used to improve manufacturing processes and create new business models.
Apart from classroom learning, XLRI also provided me with numerous opportunities to apply my knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios. I had the opportunity to intern with a leading manufacturing company, where I was able to apply my learnings and gain practical experience in a manufacturing environment. This experience helped me understand the challenges faced by the industry and how my education could be applied to solve them.
Overall, my experience at XLRI has been transformational. It has helped me develop a broader perspective on manufacturing and operations management and has equipped me with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the manufacturing 4.0 era. I am confident that my education from XLRI has prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in my career. I am excited to take on new roles and responsibilities in the manufacturing industry and contribute towards its growth and development of the industry.
Hailing from the birthplace of coffee in India, I am a fourth-generation coffee grower with a strong entrepreneurial drive guiding my professional journey. After completing my under-graduation in Computer Science and Engineering from PES School of Engineering, I pursued a brief role as an Associate Software Engineer at Accenture. I then moved on to set up my business firm trading in packaged drinking water and developed an application to be an aggregator. When I got a chance to work in the coffee exports division of Classic Group, an MSME group with diverse business interests, I took up the assignment without any hesitation.
Although I joined Classic Group as a Logistics and Export Manager for their green coffee business, I was elevated to the role of Senior Manager - Operations and Sales in a short period. I was also a part of the team that was instrumental in setting up the new E-Commerce website. During this time, I got to work closely with the Director of Marketing and Promotions and had the opportunity to develop a strong digital marketing strategy for their E-commerce business. While I exited the company to pursue my MBA, I was working as the Head of Operations and Sales for various divisions of the group and was directly reporting to the Managing Director.
I was fortunate to learn the principles behind Business Management from highly experienced faculty and through the institute’s global collaborations while I pursued my MBA at XLRI. I am confident that the highly effective curriculum from an institution like XLRI has enhanced my skill set and prepared me to face the business world which is currently volatile and highly competitive.
I am confident my prior work experience and learnings from the program has prepared me to be successful in my new role as a Product Manager at Jio Platforms. I believe I will be able to add significant value to the various products which are being developed at Jio Platforms.
My passion for developing digital products has been boosted by the exemplary R&D projects at Tech Mahindra. After a gratifying journey of 7 years in the IT industry, I decided to take the next step and add the business dimension to my perspective. This prompted me to apply and pursue the PGDM, General Management program in one of the prestigious business schools in India, XLRI.
As I began my journey at XLRI, I noticed the intricate connections between various concepts. This not only enhanced my understanding of the subjects I was studying, but also allowed me to apply this newfound knowledge to my previous work experience. This provided me with a comprehensive understanding of myself, my professional abilities, and the areas I needed to develop further. The amalgamation of my passion for products and the brand-new knowledge, I acquired directed me towards taking up a full-time role as a Product Manager at Jio. Jio is at the forefront of digital transformation in India, offering products across a wide range of sectors, including Jio Mart, Ajio, and Jio Digital. Additionally, Jio's start-up culture provides a valuable learning opportunity for individuals. The Jio Platform offers the opportunity to explore different fields of interest, such as retail with Jio Mart, e-commerce with Ajio, telecommunications with Jio Telecom, and media and entertainment with Jio TV.
I am filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation as I embark on this journey. The thought of exploring new opportunities, learning new skills, and growing as an individual fills me with a sense of purpose and drive. I am ready to take on this journey with all my might, with a positive attitude, and a strong mindset.
Let's begin!
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." - Steve Jobs
If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it-then I can achieve it - Muhammad Ali.
I started my professional career as a GET at Tata Motors plant after graduating in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Surat. Having worked in the Operations & New vehicle Launch domain in a leading Automobile company, I have excelled in problem-solving and know in and out of the Manufacturing processes. As a budding engineer, I got to learn new things daily. But what I lacked was to channel my efforts optimally with the understanding of Marketing, Sales, Strategy & finance domain. It tempted me to pursue a master’s in management. The PGDM(GM) course at XLRI was my first choice being the oldest 1-year MBA program.
It’s a brave new world. It’s not just about finding a new job. It’s about changing careers. I knew I was taking a leap of faith, stepping into the unknown. It was like trading comfort and familiarity for an aspiring job. I enjoyed meeting peers from the diverse industries community and hearing how their experiences translated to our course lessons. I loved the most about this course because of the amalgamation of business & HR courses and the complex set of problems it presents in an ever- changing environment that genuinely helps one understand his limits and then go way past them. The XLRI methodology of teaching and my past working experience has helped me reinvent myself continuously every day and simulate real-life business problems during this course. MBA at XLRI has helped me shape myself as a professional who can also efficiently handle the human elements in a business.
As an Engineer, problem-solving has been a part of my DNA. I love moving step by step from the problem to an actionable solution. As an operations manager in my previous role, I had solved many Production problems & bottlenecks under a very tight deadline, sometimes on the same day. It tempted me to choose consulting as my dream role during my MBA. I knew that in consulting, I would have to work on the most pressing issues for my clients & which seems super exciting to me. I also knew that I had to work on improvising my skill set to get the consulting role.
I started preparation for consulting interviews & also participated in various consulting competitions across different B-schools & Corporates across India. These activities helped me move a few steps closer to my goals. Thus, I targeted consulting roles and was finally able to grab the role of a consultant in a reputed Indian consulting firm. My time spent learning and growing at XLRI helped me adapt to land this job. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to further their education and lead their organization into the future. I'm confident to say that if you want to grow in your career, consistency is the key.
Worked as a professional with over five years of work experience as a Consultant at reputed firms like KPMG and EY, had developed a solid foundation in the field of management consulting. However, I have aspired to take my career to the next level and broaden my skill set to transition into a leadership role in the technology industry. That's when I decided to pursue a career transformation through PGDM (GM) program at XLRI Jamshedpur, a prestigious business school in India known for its renowned management programs.
Upon joining XLRI Jamshedpur, I have exposed to a holistic and rigorous curriculum emphasising leadership, strategy, and technology management. I have been given ample opportunities to engage with industry experts, alums, and fellow students through workshops, case competitions, and networking events.
In addition to the academic rigour, I have benefited from XLRI Jamshedpur's strong alum network, which provided me with valuable industry insights and mentorship sessions. I had the chance to interact with XLRI Jamshedpur alums who held leadership positions in renowned technology companies, which helped me broaden my professional network and gain practical insights into the industry.
After completing the program, my career took a significant leap. I have been offered a coveted role as a Technical PMO at Solutionec Pvt Ltd, a leading technology consulting firm based in Bangalore, India and Headquarter in Paris, France. The specialized technology management knowledge, consulting experience, and leadership skills acquired at XLRI Jamshedpur made me a perfect fit for the role. I have been entrusted with leading complex technology programs, managing cross-functional teams, and driving innovation initiatives within the organization.
The career transformation through XLRI Jamshedpur was a turning point in my professional journey. The PGDM(GM) program equipped me with the right blend of leadership, strategy, and technology management skills, which helped me secure a leadership role in the technology industry. I look forward to a rewarding career as a Technical PMO, leading teams, driving innovation, and making a meaningful impact in the technology landscape.
Having spent the past five years working in the IT industry, I felt the time was ripe to take the next step in my career. Pursuing an MBA had always been a long-standing aspiration of mine, and being granted admission into the program felt like the icing on the cake. With my prior experience, I gained a wealth of knowledge and skills in various aspects of the tech world. The MBA program allowed me to sharpen my business acumen, paving the way for my long-term goal of becoming a business leader.
This one-year program has indeed been transformative, resulting in my holistic development. The thought-provoking class discussions with both my professors and peers and the various assignments that revolved around implementing the critical concepts taught in class expanded my understanding of the strategic aspects of businesses. Additionally, interacting with my peers and learning about their backgrounds gave me a broader perspective, allowing me to look beyond my industry, work, and educational background.
XLRI provided the ideal platform, resources, and support for my career transformation. I am eager to resume my professional life with the amazing opportunity I have received through XLRI and to apply the invaluable lessons I have learned throughout my journey.
The turning point in every person’s life comes when you feel what is expected and what you want to do are different and when you want to transit and move towards your dreams and are unsure how to achieve it, then it is time to change, “It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.”
throughout my professional career, I have worked for well-known companies like “Fab India” and “House of Anita Dongre”. I have come across many unexpected problems at work, where we had to make rapid decisions, and had to adapt to plans at the last minute, and such amazing hands-on and completely altering experience broadened my viewpoint.
XLRI taught me various academic principles that can apply efficiently in my professional journey ahead of me. With the knowledge that I have gained during my journey at XLRI, I am joining Trident as a Chief Marketing Officer, I am ready to accept new challenges and embrace the new career trajectory that has been paved. This one year helped me to evolve into a more dynamic professional. looking forward to this transformative adventure, I intend to make a difference at Trident by bringing a new viewpoint to the table.
Pursuing an MBA at XLRI was a significant milestone in my career journey, as it transformed me from an average performer to a high-performing professional. The comprehensive curriculum, expert faculty, and a diverse peer group were instrumental in shaping my skills and abilities.
XLRI's MBA program offers a diverse and intensive curriculum, which includes a range of courses in finance, marketing, operations, and human resource management. The program's comprehensive nature ensured that I had a deep understanding of various business functions, which helped me make informed decisions at the workplace.
The expert faculty at XLRI played a critical role in my transformation, as they imparted knowledge through a blend of theoretical and practical learning. The faculty members were not just academic experts, but also experienced professionals who brought real-life scenarios to the classroom. They challenged us to think beyond textbooks, encouraged us to apply theory to practice, and helped us develop a deep understanding of the industry.
Another significant aspect of XLRI's MBA program was the diverse peer group. The program attracts students from various backgrounds, cultures, and work experiences, which enriches the classroom learning experience. The peer group helped me develop cross-functional skills, such as teamwork, communication, and leadership, which are essential for success in the corporate world.
XLRI's MBA program also offered numerous opportunities to engage with industry leaders and gain practical exposure. The program included guest speaker sessions, CXO series, and industry visits, which provided insights into the latest trends and practices in the industry. These sessions were not just informative, but also helped me develop a network of industry contacts, which proved beneficial during job searches.
XLRI's MBA program also provided ample opportunities for personal and professional development. The program included sessions on personality development, communication skills, and leadership, which helped me develop my soft skills and become a more effective leader. The program also provided opportunities to participate in various extracurricular activities, such as sports, cultural events, and community service, which helped me develop a well-rounded personality.
Overall, pursuing an MBA at XLRI was a transformational experience, which helped me develop a deep understanding of various business functions, hone my leadership skills, and gain practical exposure to the industry. The program's comprehensive curriculum, expert faculty, diverse peer group, and ample opportunities for personal and professional development, were instrumental in shaping my career trajectory.
The knowledge, skills, and experience gained through the MBA program at XLRI have helped me progress rapidly in my career. I have been able to take up challenging roles, make informed decisions, and contribute effectively to the success of my organization. I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue an MBA at XLRI, and I would strongly recommend the program to anyone who wants to transform their career.
I started my career as an SAP ABAP developer in Accenture in 2016. While working on the technical aspect, I had to understand the functional and business aspect as well. After 2 years I got an opportunity to transform my career into SAP Sales and Distribution domain. Now understanding the business processes was more important than technical aspect.
However, I realized that working directly with clients understanding the great potential in the technology space and solving business problems would accelerate my growth and for progressing to the senior and diversified roles in an organization, I need to have a good knowledge and understanding of key business functions. Hence, I decided to pursue XLRI PGDM (GM) program to understand business across functions, gain knowledge of problem-solving frameworks and enhance my business acumen.
My journey of transformation from a technical professional to Management professional was full of rigor and hard work. This program has helped me not only in my learnings but also in building my overall personality. When look at my MBA journey, I can undoubtedly say the learning has been multidimensional. Everyday was a new challenge, but it contained the learnings of a lifetime. The knowledge I have gained and the memories I have collected will be cherished for life. I feel esteemed that I will be graduating from this prestigious institution, and I hope to carry forward its legacy lifelong.
Nischal is Self-motivated Professional having almost six years of varied experience in IT/Non-IT industries. He has empowered his Reinsurance client with Robotic Process Automation and Artificial intelligence; he has helped MSME industries with more managed workforce solutions and has helped Indian Army with defense technologies to be better equipped in terms of technologies and modern warfare.
After gaining five years of work experience in the IT industry, Nischal realized that he wanted to enhance his managerial skills and pursue a broader impact in the ecosystem. He prepared well for the Gmat examination and got admitted to XLRI Jamshedpur’s Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM).
Through the one-year general management program, Nischal gained knowledge in a variety of relevant subjects, interacted with some of the brightest minds in the country, and developed a broader perspective on various business aspects. Additionally, he was an active participant in the Branding Committee and Cultural Committee, which helped him widen his network of professionals and engage in gathering varied experience at different levels.
Nischal found the initial weeks of the program to be challenging but eventually realized that they were designed to prepare him for the rigorous year ahead. The program helped him identify his strengths and clarify his career goals. He attended industry sessions by top experts and underwent rigorous preparations, which led him to be placed at ICICI Bank as a Chief Manager at Client Relationship for HNI Portfolio client.
Overall, Nischal feels that the general management program provided him with a complete package to become a successful manager. He learned to take risks, remain optimistic, and expect the unexpected. He believes that relative grades are only evaluated during the course and not beyond it.
Nischal is now focused on his long-term career goals and is confident that the Knowledge, network and credibility which he gained at the B-school and his past work experiences will facilitate him achieve his short and long term goals and help him become future leader.
XLRI Played a vital role in the transformation of my professional career. Worked as an SAP consultant with Accenture, Infosys, and Deloitte USI for almost six years before joining this program, and now I have transformed myself into a person with both technical and business acumen. There is a lot to prize and cherish in the PGDM (GM) program. Case-based teaching, which bears a strong connection to the current world's commercial difficulties, stands out for me. The PGDM (GM) program offers a lot to value and cherish. For me, case-based learning stands out because it has a direct relationship to the economic challenges facing the globe today. I've been able to better understand how the operations of a core industry and the marketing world work because of these experiences. I can now identify my areas of strength and weakness and use them to my advantage for increased productivity thanks to the course. Along with all of these benefits, being a member of committees like the Guest Speaking Team and the E-Cell: Innov8 has helped me better understand my own competencies and foster relationships with key figures in the sector. The course material has been a fantastic blend of business knowledge, moral principles, and soft skills, all of which are essential for a leader.
Finally, I think this curriculum is more of a deeper discipline that transforms everyone's life than a professional degree.
Sincerity and diligence are the traits that have propelled my career of 5 years in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. As Gustave Flaubert had once said “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world”, I firmly believe that the best way to understand and appreciate the diversity in the whole world is to travel to the intricate corners and connect with the local culture and traditions. Therefore, my career choice did not come as a surprise to me.
Having obtained my bachelor’s degree in hospitality from IHM Mumbai, and my stint at Thomas Cook, under the Group’s Leisure Travel vertical has enriched my skills such as Time Management, Team Management, Cost Optimisation, Revenue Maximisation, Negotiation, Written and Verbal communication skills-all of which are integral for the success of the service industry. Daily interaction with multi-lingual and multicultural overseas vendors has sharpened my interpersonal skills and fuelled my thirst to seek knowledge about the unknown world out there.
The training that I received from the industry has helped me understand the importance of many aspects such as teamwork, response time to clients' needs, cost optimization, revenue maximisation, verbal and written communication, and enhancing productivity- all of which are essential for the success of a service industry. I am proud to have made the conscious decision of pursuing XLRI’s flagship PGDM(GM) programme with the anticipation to expand my horizons in terms of my job profile and subsequent career opportunities. The course helps me to gain a better insight into business strategy and greatly enhance my understanding of how businesses operate.
Coming from an unconventional background, making a transition in terms of both my domain and industry was a major challenge. The learnings and insights garnered through the year have been invaluable in helping me hone the right mindset to prepare for a challenging, yet exciting transformation.
After completing my engineering in Electronics and Communication, I started my career with Fidelity Investments in 2016. I was assigned to the workplace investment unit. I was responsible for studying and converting workplace investment data into company standards using statistical tools such as SAS. There I learned about the importance of data and data analytics. There, I was able to improve and nurture my data literacy and learned several data analytics techniques.
After working for 1.5 years, I got the opportunity to work in the app development domain. To envision my aim for working in product development, I joined Amadeus Software labs in 2018. I started in the incident management domain and then moved to the mobile R&D team. Throughout my stint at Amadeus, I got expertise in quality assurance, automation, incident management, release management, product development, and agile methodologies. I was soon promoted to the senior Quality analyst.To push my career toward product management, I was lacking the business acumen to make that career transition. Therefore, I started preparing for competitive exams and through my hard work, I got into XLRI PGDM(GM) program. The PGDM(GM) program was very beneficial to me as it not only helped me to develop leadership and people management skills but also provided me with a wealth of knowledge about different aspects of the business. The rigorous course has enabled me to understand how to connect business and technology, which is very much necessary in today’s market. I was exposed to several workshops that were organized by the college, providing me with the exposure and industry connections that are very much necessary for future leaders.
It is very well said that life begins at the end of your comfort zone. PGDM(GM) has helped me to go beyond my comfort zone and has increased my learning curve exponentially. Applying the skills that I have gained from my previous work experience and the learnings from the PGDM(GM) program, I was able to transform my career. I was selected for the product manager position at Jio. I am confident, that the learnings from the program will help me grow both personally and professionally.
“What you seek is seeking you!” – Rumi
My professional journey started in 2016 as a GET in Reliance Industries Ltd. I was posted in Crude Distillation Unit as a Shift Field Engineer where I got a chance to understand operation management on the ground level. This role gave me a chance to lead a team of field executives and contract laborers. Recognizing my keen initiative, I was moved to HSE Department as a Safety Manager to lead the “Culture Change Project” to bring a behavioral change with respect to safety.
During this period, I collaborated with Finance, Procurement, Learning and Development, and HR. After three years in Reliance Industries Ltd. I joined Ingenero Technologies as an Engineer Process Technology. Here my key role was to analyze PSV data and ensure Quality checks.
After spending about six years in the manufacturing and engineering services industry I was keen to transition into a leadership position. I wanted to expand my horizons in terms of my job profile and subsequent career opportunities. As my career progressed I became passionate about HR and my father who worked in the same domain inspired me to pursue it.
Finally, in 2022, I joined XLRI’s prestigious PGDM (GM) program to gain a better insight into business strategy and human resource management. The program greatly enhanced my understanding of how businesses operate. Subjects such as Marketing, Strategy, and Organizational Behavior shaped my perspective. I also got a chance to participate in and host events organized by the batch. I was also fortunate to be guided by eminent professors, GoCrackIt mentors, Industry mentors – Mr. Shubraganshu Halder and Mr. Kula Thendral and faculty mentor – Mr. Kanagraj.
Coming from a manufacturing background, making a transition in terms of both my domain and industry was a major challenge. However, I landed my dream role as Chief People Officer at Trident Group. The learnings and insights garnered through the year have been invaluable in helping me hone the right mindset to prepare for a career switch.
My experiences over the past year at XLRI equipped me to pivot my profile to a fascinating role and truly enabled me to transform my career!
My career transformation journey through XLRI has been a fulfilling and enriching experience that has prepared me for new challenges and opportunities in the banking industry. As an IT Engineer with over 5 years of experience in the insurance domain, I made a conscious decision to pursue an MBA from XLRI to gain a holistic understanding of business operations, develop my skills in strategy development and execution, and expand my knowledge horizon.
XLRI has provided me with a dynamic and diverse learning environment that has enriched my understanding of various aspects of business management. Through rigorous coursework, case studies, group discussions, and industry interactions, I have gained a solid foundation in areas such as operations, marketing, finance, human resources, business communications and strategy. The MBA program has not only sharpened my analytical and problem-solving skills but has also honed my ability to think critically and make strategic decisions.
One of the highlights of my MBA journey has been the opportunity to interact with professionals from diverse backgrounds and industries. XLRI's strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration has helped me develop effective stakeholder management skills, which are crucial in the business world. Working on group assignments and projects with fellow students from different domains and industries has given me a broader perspective and enhanced my ability to work effectively in a team.
The values instilled by XLRI, such as "Do the right thing," "Never Settle," and "Better Together," have deeply resonated with me and have become guiding principles in my career transformation journey. These values have not only shaped my ethical and professional conduct but have also inspired me to strive for excellence, constantly push my boundaries, and work collaboratively with others to achieve common goals.
My decision to transition from the insurance domain to the banking industry has been driven by several factors. Firstly, the dynamic and fast-paced nature of the banking industry has always intrigued me. The opportunity to work on complex financial transactions, deals, and investment strategies excites me and keeps me motivated to continuously learn and stay updated with the latest industry trends.
Secondly, I am passionate about contributing to economic growth and development, and I believe that the banking industry plays a crucial role in driving these outcomes. Through providing funding and financial support to businesses and individuals, banks can promote entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic prosperity. This aligns with my values and gives me a sense of purpose in my career.
Lastly, I am impressed by Standard Chartered's reputation as a leading global financial institution that is committed to driving positive change and making a meaningful impact in the communities it serves. The bank's focus on sustainability, social responsibility, and employee development resonates with my values, and I am eager to contribute my skills and expertise to such an organization.
Overall, my career transformation journey through XLRI has been instrumental in preparing me for a new chapter in the banking industry. The program has equipped me with the necessary knowledge, skills, and values to excel in a challenging and dynamic business environment. I am excited about the prospects of joining Standard Chartered and leveraging my previous experience, along with the learnings from XLRI, to make a positive impact in the banking industry while aligning with the bank's values and goals.
I started my career journey as a Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) for Daimler India Commercial Vehicles in 2015. I was a part of the projects team at Daimler. I had the opportunity to work on some really challenging projects, BSVI projects being one of them. I have worked as a Project Manager at Daimler and Bajaj Auto for six years and seven months. My core responsibility as a Project Manager in both companies was to ensure that projects were delivered on time and completed within the budget allotted for each project. It is safe to say that my work as a Project Manager was mostly managerial and not technical in nature. I quickly realised that doing an MBA would make a lot of sense. Hence, I started preparing for an MBA and was finally selected for the General Management Programme at XLRI. The General Management Programme instilled in me knowledge of various domains – Finance, Marketing, Operations, Economics and much more.
The diverse cohort provided invaluable peer-to-peer learning opportunities through Group Assignments, Case study discussions and Class Participation. Peer-to-peer learning was limited not only to classrooms but extended outside the classrooms as well. The curriculum and the faculty are top-notch and set a benchmark for the rest of the B-schools to follow. The one-year program has exceeded my learning expectations and allowed me to grow as an individual. It made me more self-aware, confident, and, most importantly, a responsible leader. The essence of working on our soft skills, being ethical in business, was always given a key focus.
I have been fortunate to be placed in TVS Motors in a strategy role, where I have been offered the position of Senior Manager. I look forward to applying my learnings to this new role and further growing in the career trajectory I envisioned.
Thank you XLRI for this transformational journey!
Most graduates benefit from a one-year MBA, which is referred to as a "kick-start," "launch pad," or "booster." The individual who will succeed in an accelerated MBA programme wants to be in charge of their professional and life path. Furthermore, you must normally be highly ambitious - not simply wanting to change course or advance to a new level in your work, but also wanting to discover how far you can go.
I read the book "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish!" during my final year in college. It energised me even more. I also realised the significance of my MBA. That is when I decided to go for it. However, the circumstances did not allow me to enrol in an MBA programme right away; instead, I had to enter the corporate world. However, as they say, if you have a great passion for something, all forces come together to make it a reality.
It's a year of your life and applying is a major step. For me, it was no different- a leap of faith, a dichotomy of leaving behind one of the reputed firms and a lucrative job. It's a year out of my life and applying is a big decision.
So, here's how my MBA experience taught me the value of hard work and time management.
1. Solid business skills for knowledge, awareness and confidence in any situation
In business management, knowledge and talents must go hand in hand. This MBA programme has broadened and enhanced my knowledge which would help me to use it as if it were second nature in any business circumstance. It provided me with a comprehensive education in business basics, which I believe will assist provide a solid basis for my future job in business management.
2. A whole new direction in my career
It's been a fantastic platform for a self-directed, ambitious person like myself to stand back and evaluate my goals and how my finest abilities might be put to use. The time spent by me in this one-year MBA programme was intense. I had probably never worked more in my life, never pushed myself as far beyond my comfort zones, and never formed closer connections. When that setting was mixed with top-level business learning from world-class business brains, it was the ideal recipe for a transformative experience for me.
3. Leadership skills & agility – especially for a digital world
In today's world, good leadership abilities are important for allowing company managers to adapt to new situations - even if they have never seen them before. Leadership is a personal talent; each individual's leadership style is unique. As a result, XLRI employs self-awareness and leadership coaching to assist in the integration of leadership capabilities. Coaching activities, both one-on-one and in groups, assisted me with feeling the responses in simulated circumstances. Professors had supplied objective, competent advice in a secure setting.
I worked in TCS for more than five years. Within TCS, I was promoted to Digital Cadre, and during that period, I worked with Fortune 500 clients and got exposed to the latest technologies in the IT industry. The decision to join the flagship PGDM (GM) at XLRI was to take a leap in my career and learn the broader perspective of the corporate world, like how organizations manage to stabilize and grow their business while coping with changes in their internal and external environment.
Coming from Economics and Computer Science background, the first observation I observed as I started my journey at XLRI was the complex ways in which the various concepts were interlinked. It made me appreciate the subjects I was studying, and I could retroactively translate the same to my previous work experience as well. Through this, I gained a holistic view of myself, my skills, where I stand professionally, and the areas I needed to improve.
In this journey, I identified Product Management as one of the Career Paths I could explore. I could leverage my experience in Technology and combine it with the strategic and management skills acquired during the program to build value-inducing digital products. With the help of the rich pedagogy, combined with various industrial connections and resources available, I could equip myself to dive into the world of Product Management.
The case study-based learning and the vastly experienced faculties' deep insights helped me sharpen my skill sets and be future-ready. The guest lectures, conclaves and workshops by top industry professionals enlightened my knowledge with their learnings and experience. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Alumni Committee. It gave me a platform to connect with the Alums and leverage the relationship for conducting various activities for the batch. Hosting Interview Prep sessions for Homecoming Events helped me understand the XL brand beyond.
At the end of this MBA journey, I'm short of adjectives and superlatives for the praise of this esteemed institute. It has transformed me into a better professional and, above all, a better human being.
Prior to Joining XLRI Jamshedpur, I had 6.4 years of software development experience in BFSI & life sciences domain working with Fortune 500 companies. Expertise in end-to-end software development lifecycle using Agile, have worked with global teams across US, UK & India, and business process management projects using Appian, a cloud-based platform used to build enterprise software applications. During my tenure, I captured a rich exposure of Requirement Gathering, Project Execution Coordination, Client Management and Communications, Application Development Cycle.
Post MBA completion from XLRI Jamshedpur, I will be joining Jio as Role of Product manager. I will be responsible for any existing or upcoming Jio product. Jio is currently leading the digital transformation drive in India with its product in almost all the sectors be it Jio mart or Ajio or Jio Digital. Apart from this start up culture of Jio is also a great learning curve for any individual. Jio Platform will provide chance to an individual to switch to his area of interest with its various domain like Jio Mart in Retail, Ajio in E-Commerce, Jio Telecom in Telecom, Jio Tv in Media and Entertainment.
After completing my B.Tech. from IIIT Bhubaneswar, I joined IBM as an associate system engineer and eventually got promoted to the Application developer role. I am interested in technology and completed certifications in clouds (AWS and Microsoft Azure), Agile, Design Thinking, DBA and the health industry during my journey at IBM. Implementing innovative ideas to bring positive change drives my desire to work hard. After implementing multiple automation process to save almost 1000 hours of FTE of work per year, I could see the scope to transform a business using technology, new ideas and Business analysis. The desire to fill the knowledge gaps, to learn more about business from a broader perspective and to build a strong foundation by learning the business concepts brought me to XLRI.
The one-year course is rigorous. The classroom learning from excellent faculties, the understanding of challenges from the industry leaders via guest speaker talk sessions, conclaves and CXO series and most importantly, the peer learning we get while working on various assignments with professionals from diverse backgrounds is unique to the course. We came here with one perspective, but we will go from here with 113 different perspectives developed by peer learning. XLRI gave me an opportunity to work as the president of Kautilya consulting club and organize bootcamps for consulting enthusiast and annual consulting conclave-Fulcrum.
XLRI has helped me transform my career from being an application developer to a product manager. This role will allow me to impact the industry at a higher level. It will give me a platform to present my unique ideas to the leaders and implement them. Understanding the business terminologies will help me to understand the strategies for business transformations, understanding the market for better marketing strategy and finance and accounting involved. As a product manager, it will help me with the digital transformation, go to market strategy and making sense of data to understand customer needs.
As rightly said, “A good education is the foundation of a better future.” I can confidently say this after the career transformation I’m experiencing now. The course successfully channels the potential that the professionals have to transform them into future leaders.
As someone who has gone through a career transformation, I can attest to the power of education and professional development programs. My journey began as a Project Manager at Bureau Veritas, Industry Division, where I had already established a successful career. However, I knew that I wanted to expand my knowledge and skills to further my professional growth.
That's when I discovered XLRI and its Executive Program in General Management (PGDM-GM). After cracking GMAT and gaining admission, the program provided me with a comprehensive understanding of business operations, financial analysis, and project management, giving me the tools necessary to tackle complex business challenges.
One of the key benefits of studying at XLRI was the opportunity to learn from experts in different fields and network with professionals from various industries. This diverse network proved invaluable when I decided to make a career transition to HSBC’s Global Transformation Centre. Thanks to my education at XLRI, I was able to successfully transition to a new industry in a strategic position at HSBC’s Global Transformation Centre as a Project Manager.
Looking back, I am grateful for the investment I made in my education at XLRI. It allowed me to expand my horizons, gain new perspectives, and take my career to new heights. I would highly recommend anyone looking to make a career transformation consider the professional development programs offered by XLRI.
There is a turning point in everyone's life because every journey has its end. The time when we feel that we are too old for this, it is definitely the time to change.
One such turning point for me was when I joined the PGDM (GM) at XLRI, when I realized that after years of hardship, I had finally found a foundation upon which to construct my future. I had one of my best experiences as an XL-er. The learning was immense. Not only was I exposed to various disciplines of management science, but also to the ethical sciences and humanities.
Rarely does management play any role in the first step of leadership. The most important lessons for a future leader, according to XLRI, are self-awareness and empathy.
Being in campus with my family was a blessing and also called for moments when I was not available for my child when he needed me the most. The path was never smooth. The program was rigorous and highly demanding, and we were riling under pressure all the time. But those are the exact moments that take us to our dreams. The sacrifices and the hardships, through physical and emotional turmoil, has given me the courage to dream bigger.
It was a significant event in my life. The curriculum gave me the knowledge and tools that I needed to think critically and creatively. During my time at XLRI, I had the opportunity to learn from the best faculty, interact with the most diverse cohort, and take part in several leadership-building events.
My next chapter will start at Genpact, where I've been given the opportunity to take on the role of AVP-Operations. I can't wait to set out on this uncharted territory while adhering to my principles and everything XL taught me during this great year!
“Each challenge in life is an opportunity for self-improvement”
That has been my mantra. Deciding to turn back to studies after almost 7 long years of my professional journey was unnerving to start with. I had been in the role of a program manager with Tata Consultancy Services in the Engineering and Industrial Services domain for Lifesciences. This role provided me with glimpses of the larger business world. After a rewarding experience at Tata Consultancy Services, I decided that it is time for me to enhance my business acumen and understand the finer nuances of business. So, when the opportunity came knocking after I clear the interview, I grabbed it with both hands.
Being one in the cohort of this prestigious institution, XLRI Jamshedpur’s flagship program of PGDM (GM), has been a dream come true for me. Not only has it been an all-encompassing curriculum that lays the foundation for my future in the business world but it has also been a deeply enriching peer-learning experience from this diverse cohort. The didactics employed to instil the learning have helped in percolating the concepts. My journey at XLRI has not only equipped me with the toolkit to excel in my professional life, but it has also been a catalyst to transform my thought process and ignite a hunger to keep learning and upskilling. I am eternally grateful to the institution, all my professors, and the mentors who have made it possible for me to have an exponential transformation.
“Experience without theory is blind but the theory without experience is mere intellectual play“ by- Immanuel Kant
The quote explains my dream of coming to B School for the flagship PGDM course at XLRI after 5+ years of experience. The diverse cohorts make the class a fantastic place to learn and apply the different concept. An instance of bringing the perspective of a law professional in the marketing class will help to strengthen the business concepts.
I am very happy to be pursuing my PGDM course from XLRI. This is me probably ticking off another item from my to-do lists. But I profoundly believe that the experiences that I have encountered be it personal to professional have allowed me to broaden my horizons, introspect myself, understand myself deeply and bring a transformation from within and I would state that this PGDM experience was worth every penny I have paid for.
The program helps me to view the business holistically from different stakeholders of the business. I had undergone field-based leadership training in collaboration with TSAF (Tata Steel Adventure Foundation) which offered me a Unique field-based leadership development training.
The PGDM delivered the general management skills that has enabled me to explore my options across a wide range of sectors giving me significantly greater flexibility.
You are changing all the time, whether it be as a result of the constant academic pressure, co-curricular activities, personal responsibilities, or social peer pressure. The significance of clock-speed in this voyage becomes apparent. Your priorities in life will determine which of the day's 24 hours you spend your time on. The ability to prioritise and make wise decisions sets one apart from the competition. At XLRI, a year's worth of many experiences can change you in ways you never could have imagined!
XLRI Played a vital role in the transformation of my professional career. Prior to enrolling in PGDM (GM), I had over five years of experience in the Lifesciences industry focusing on Strategy consulting, Commercial Analytics, and Forecasting with ZS Associates, WNS, and GlobalData. Since then, I have transformed myself into a person with both technical and business acumen. This program offers a lot to value and cherish. The course curriculum has a unique structure, offering rigor and flexibility. The intensive, cross-functional core curriculum provides business fundamentals, communication, and analytical skills that are critical to success. Case-based teaching, which bears a strong connection to the current world's commercial difficulties, stands out for me. When combined with in-class discussions with excellent faculties, case studies helped me to develop my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which aids in formulating better approaches to problems. It helped me in applying theoretical knowledge and practical application in a dynamic VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) world.
In addition to all these, being the SPOC of the Conclave Committee has helped me pursue my passion for event management and hone my leadership and team management skills. It allowed me to identify my areas of strength and weakness and use them to my advantage for increased productivity.
I would like to thank XLRI for making this experience so memorable and rewarding thus far. I am sure there will be more to come. I suggest this program to anyone who wants to transform their professional journey.
“Find out what you like doing best, and get someone to pay you for doing it.” —Katharine Whitehorn
After working for 5 years in TCS, I decided to pursue higher studies in order to grow in my career. Since childhood, I always had a keen interest in solving problems and managing events. During my professional journey as well, I realized that these were the things that still attracted me the most and hence I decided to pursue my MBA.
Joining XLRI was the first step in that direction and I chose to do so because of the reputation the college holds for providing quality education. PGDM(GM) has been a program that helped me to gain a better insight into business strategy and sustainable scaling. The program greatly enhanced my understanding of how businesses operate. The journey at XLRI has been a life-changing experience. It has prepared me for the challenges of the future and has equipped me to handle them better professionally and personally.
After completing my education here, I will be joining as an Assistant Project Manager at EXL. I intend to use what I've learned to provide solutions to a variety of industries in order to keep up with the fast-paced corporate environment.
Getting to be a part of XLRI is no less than a dream come true. I was working as a Sales Specialist in GE Healthcare prior to joining the XL cohort. The experience of working in a huge conglomerate like GE was truly enriching. My time there has taught me the value of responsibility, accountability and collaboration. After working there for 5 years, I realized that I wanted to move to a strategic role. I felt that my experience working in a fast-paced environment and the concepts I can learn from the pedagogy of a well-known B-school would make a great combination.
I consider myself fortunate for getting the opportunity to learn from distinguished professors, acquire new skills, and combine those with my existing abilities to reach new heights. More than simply gaining intellectual knowledge, it was a journey of personal development, where I gained expertise via observation, practise, deeper interpersonal understanding and dealing with various circumstances. Joining XLRI has been a turning point in my personal and professional life. The peer group and the rigorous curriculum has helped me come out of my comfort zone and motivated me to challenge myself.
The academic programme and the active interaction with industry leaders make it possible for us to receive enhanced knowledge about key components of business management in the current technology driven environment. I’m confident that all of these would help me in settling into my new role as a Product Owner.
6 years of diverse work experience which is a mix of corporate and entrepreneurship. Spent 2.5 years at Accenture working on automation of various testing processes in SAP domain for a large US based Pharmaceutical client. Built two profitable startup from scratch, helping garments manufacturers by providing consulting services to increase production along with highlighting the key factors for cost savings, I joined XLRI Jamshedpur to hone my business skills and knowledge to become a better leader.
Courses such as Digital Transformation, Marketing Strategy and Organizational Behaviour provided interesting tools to understand the customer needs and pain points better. From critically evaluating an existing corporate strategy to being aware of unforeseen disruption, the case study approach of PGDM GM helped me develop nuanced heuristics in making complex decisions faster.
With all XLRI has taught me over the last year, along with a beautiful transforming experience and interesting peer interactions, I'm ready to start a new path in the corporate world!
Prior to embarking on my MBA path, I spent seven years in the IT industry with Accenture Solution Pvt Ltd. I was a seasoned project manager with expertise in launching more than twenty new projects in several industries, including Financial Services, Banking, Telecom, Automobile, and Retail. Skilled in Business Development, IT operations, stakeholder management, process transformation, feasibility analysis, and financial management, I supported our large customer accounts in Europe and the United States by ensuring projects ran smoothly and efficiently from a financial, resourcing, and operations standpoint.
After a rewarding experience, I recognised it is time for me to take the next step in my career to improve my business acumen and managerial skills. This was the impetus behind my decision to earn an MBA. Since I had had managerial experience and was interested in continuing along the same route, I decided to attend XLRI's flagship master's programme.
I've had the privilege of being a part of a diverse class with peers from many industries. It has been quite enlightening to learn from the numerous instructors who have instructed us on a variety of issues. I hope to incorporate their teachings into my life for years to come. The pedagogy employed by the instructors enables students to comprehend management from the ground up.
In addition to enhancing my leadership and people management abilities, the PGDM GM programme provided me with a comprehensive understanding of several facets of business. I conducted research on the most recent worldwide business trends, utilised the most up-to-date management tools and techniques, and established personal goals to improve my business, teamwork, and cooperation skills.
I selected Product Management as a potential career path while doing my MBA. I could harness my prior IT experience and mix it with the strategic and management abilities developed throughout the programme to create digital products that provide value.
Not only has an MBA from XLRI guaranteed me exponential career success, but it has also provided me with opportunity to grow as a person. In the past several months, I have undergone a metamorphosis, making critical decisions even when it seemed hopeless, and breaking down the barriers that had been holding me back from achieving my goals.
As the saying goes, "Leadership is the challenge to be something more than average," and XLRI makes sure that you rise to that challenge and emerge as a leader at the end of the year.
“Sometimes it’s the journey which teaches you a lot about your destination” – this is a quote which is commonly used and rightly so because everybody's journey is different and has its own highs and lows. The most crucial step in making a thousand-mile journey is taking the initial step in the right direction. The strength to successfully overcome a situation comes from believing your instincts and self-belief and tackling it head-on.
I started off my career with Lloyd’s Register in 2015 as a fresher straight out of college. Different phases demand different versions of you. During my days at Lloyd’s Register my prime focus was to master the survey techniques and deliverables given to me and understand domain and business jargons. With progress I was also designated to look into operational finances and process improvements looking into improving lead time and cash conversion cycles. The journey there was exciting as I was exposed to real time projects and direct interaction with clients had unknowingly made me a better listener and improved my communication skills.
Little did I know that all these 6 years of corporate life was helping me to create a better version of myself with improved communication skills, inculcating bargaining skills and customer management skills to move a step closer to my dream of pursuing an MBA.
People have different motivations to pursue an MBA ranging from getting a postgraduate degree to their interest in varied specializations. I felt the first spark in a consultancy project where in the client engagement I was exposed to business pitches and the quest that follows. It was after my pitch that the jargons like termsheet, ROI, value chain, logistics, entry barrier, working capital, gross profit margin were discussed and I couldn’t contribute anything. Being a stock market enthusiast was another motivating factor to look forward into the domain of finance.
Now that I have been through a proper executive MBA program I feel immensely satisfied that I do understand finance and operations now. These are no longer jargons. The course has helped me to bridge that gap of proper business knowledge from all aspects. The learning pedagogy which is a hybrid of slides, case studies, simulations has helped me to be able to relate to how a business actually works. On one hand gaining knowledge through lectures and classroom training is essential but here equal focus is also given to networking and peer learning which I personally feel is a must have in a B-school. Right at the beginning I knew what I was getting into because a 1year MBA is supposed to be hectic and challenging. It requires 100% commitment and sincerity to get the most out of this course.
“Good Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”
The next gallop in ICICI – Wholesale Banking Group is truly like diving into a new expanding horizons which perfectly sets into the avenues which I was looking forward to. Getting into the role as Chief Manager at ICICI for WBG (Wholesale Banking Group) and being made responsible for maintaining relationships with and servicing large corporates with turnover ranging above 2.5 billion p.a surely excites me to deliver challenging tasks and reap the rewards.
I began my career transformation journey at XLRI as a neophyte at the science of management. I was immediately immersed in a plethora of tools and services available on campus to hone my interviewing and resume building skills, by peers, faculty as well as consultants hired by XLRI specifically for this purpose. I was helped immensely by the ongoing coursework and classes while also appearing for interviews and applying for potential shortlists. Coming from the last job in the family business and having had a career spanning multiple sectors, I was apprehensive about my prospects at first. But these fears were almost immediately allayed by the Placement Committee and a tailor made career plan was made for me to assist me in achieving the best placement possible. I was also guided very ably by the mentorship programme to narrow down job roles and companies that I was interested in and that also were well suited for my profile. Therefore, it was no surprise that after a few shortlists and subsequent interviews, I landed a job that was not only at my dream company, but a job role that was also perfectly compatible with both my hard and soft skills. I am now excitedly looking forward to the next step in my career thanks to all the wonderful folks at XLRI.
Every year in the late nineties and early aughts, my sister and I would be dragged to our birthplace by our parents. Leaving behind the more cosmopolitan city of Nagpur, we would start our annual sojourn to the Steel City of Jamshedpur, punctuated by sniffles and a lot of nose-wrinkling. On the way to our grandparent’s house, every time the auto would pass an important building, one of our parents would excitedly point at it with shimmering eyes. And it was always near Jubilee Park when both of them would glance in the distance and point towards a college campus, and proudly proclaim that we were near the gem in Jamshedpur’s crown: XLRI.
Life has a funny way of unfolding. I was born in Jamshedpur, brought up in Nagpur, worked in Bangalore, and am back in Jamshedpur to pursue an MBA degree from XLRI! Talk about Homecoming!
I was working as a Systems Administrator in IBM for nearly 6 years, and for the last ten months of my tenure were spent in Kyndryl, a spin-off of IBM.
In the quest of fuelling my literary ambition, I am also a freelance features writer, having worked with leading online lifestyle and arts magazines such as MensXP and Monograph.
As an Associate Team Lead, I was leading a team of 15 members, with different dispositions and sensibilities. This role inspired me to think of honing the managerial skills I seemed to possess.
Next thing I know, I am appearing for XAT. Things happened in quick succession thereafter: the results came in; I was shortlisted for the PGDM (GM) program and gave my admission interview. Time flew and within a few months I was sitting inside a classroom again!
The past few months have been great and gruelling – exhaustive yet exhilarating. The transition from working to studying again took a while to get acquainted with but it has been worth it.
Being in the campus, meeting new people who are gradually becoming a part of my life, and imbibing knowledge from professors who have turned XLRI into the hallowed institution it is, has been an experience I will probably never have again.
My peers, my professors, and the entire staff of XLRI carry the essence of what Jamshedpur is: a steely resolve to be the best. I am trying to inculcate this quality in me as I navigate the turbulent waters of pursuing an MBA.
Not only that, but I am also looking forward to joining back the corporate world with an enhanced understanding of how companies work and grow, and how we are an indispensable part of it.
My previous experience brought me here, and my learning here will take me forward.
I am certain that the new role will have its own challenges but nothing that I haven’t been prepared for by my learning in this course.
I began my career as a Gazetted Officer by getting selected in Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC), wherein I served under Government of Odisha as a Lecturer in Electrical Engineering for 6 years, post which I was transferred in a multidimensional role of heading two Industrial Training Institutes in parallel capacity as Principal of the Institutions. During my tenure, I had managed Operations, handled Stakeholders, took over new initiatives through Transformation Management, adopted change and thus, spearheaded the establishment of an institute from scratch to a full-fledge functional training centre. I have also been a Commissioned Associate National Cadet Corps Officer of Lieutenant Rank in the Second Line of Defence in Armed Forces.
In order to foster and hone my organising and managerial skills and leverage them in the corporate world, I joined the flagship program of PGDM at XLRI, Jamshedpur in General Management in 2022. The course helped me gain a better insight into the latest in Management Theory, business strategy and to leap into new avenues of problem solving. The program greatly enhanced my understanding around how businesses operate.
Being an Executive member of the Guest Speaker Team, I was able to connect and build corporate relationship with the speakers who were top corporate leaders, CXOs and industry experts. The experience helped in learning from the speakers on the latest business trends, strategies, market opportunities, and their career growth story which was responsible for their steady rise on the ladder of practical managerial pedagogy.
Making a move in terms of my domain and sector was challenging because of my atypical background. My ability to develop the proper attitude to get ready for a career switch has been greatly aided by the knowledge and insights I have gained over the last year.
I got placed in Mahindra and Mahindra in Digital Strategy domain which is a specialised division delivering digital transformation across its businesses. I would be working there as a Senior Manager to be a part of Mahindra’s “Together We Rise” notion and to drive Automotive Digital strategy roadmap creating harmonious relationships with the ecosystem.
My experiences over the past year at XLRI has crystallised me into a modern corporate warrior imbibed with human touch and truly enabled me to transform my journey!
"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe you can achieve."—Mary Kay Ash
My professional career started with Tata Consultancy Services where I worked as an IT Analyst for about six years. During that period, I worked on different projects and got exposed to different functionality of the IT industry. XLRI's PGDM Program provided me with a platform to improve my talents in a variety of business areas. In due course of time, the learnings that I have had - not only related to academics but also related to life management - reincarnated me to this new journey of life. One of the most memorable aspects of the training was sharing the same classroom with people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. This raised the level of conversation in the classroom and aided cross-functional training. Many of the courses included case discussions and simulations, which allowed us to encounter real-life difficulties and use our learnings to make the best of the scenario. This brief period of learning has imbibed in me the ability to utilize various managerial tools and capabilities and undoubtedly prepared me for the upcoming corporate life. One thing is for certain though, learning is endless.
I spent one and half years as a Finance Trainee working for a hospital in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. doing financial analysis and another five years as the Head of Operations for a telecom distribution agency. This gave me great insights in the healthcare industry as well as the telecommunications industry. I got the chance to delve deeper into these industries and identity various bottle necks and deal with process inefficiencies, weak management decision making, and reluctance to change.
After working in different industries, I wanted to find a place where I could quickly develop and solve business problems at different levels. To begin with, I committed time to finding myself. From reading management books to talking to people on LinkedIn, I realized I wanted to become a consultant to help business leaders cope with their challenges.
Shortly after coming to XLRI, I had to prepare myself for the consultant roles. I did not want to be a generic candidate, so I took my six and half years of work experience and coupled it with the management subjects I was studying at XLRI to become an extraordinary candidate. I had to clearly show to the consulting firms how I was an asset for the firm, and how I could bring value to it as well as their clients.
In short, my “why” had to be strong.
Looking forward to make a strong impact, work and learn from bright minds, and leverage my skills to the best of my capabilities at Infosys Consulting.
I'm Shreshta Anchan and have been born and raised in Mumbai from the past 26 years. I am a business management graduate. A Client Relationship Manager full-time with 5 years of unifying experience in sales performance, client servicing, managing employee, and working on B2B Sales to generate revenue with clients from different parts of India and APAC region and have led a team of 5.
-Skills developed during these 5 years are in Sales, Operations, Consulting, Client servicing, and Coaching. -Part time I started a floral-based service company and delivered orders with the help of word of mouth and social media platforms with a team of 5 (Instagram with 650 followers) -Won the ‘Best performance in sales in Delegate Acquisition ‘awards consequently thrice during my tenure. -I devised and deployed retention strategies for key strategic accounts and retained business worth 188,005 USD+ from 18 clients. -Improved client revenue by 40% by deploying a marketing campaign and streamlining operational activities for the client internally, this was pivotal for retaining a high-value customer. -Part-Time worked on wedding projects in major metropolitan cities of India.
"Life at XL has been so much more than I could have asked for, and I'm excited to be part of this journey. So far, I have learnt how to contribute to the planning and execution of business operations & how to collaborate better with people by understanding their needs to maximise value creation from any project. I'm certain that the journey ahead will be full of learnings & fun."
I've realized anything you want to achieve requires '#Resilience and #Focus' a combination of these two will bring you immense growth. This one year I have trained myself to be a substantial leader and I'm ready for all the challenges and opportunities coming my way.
I began my career as a Software Developer at Tata Consultancy Services India Pvt. Ltd. in December 2016. While working at TCS, I got the opportunity to work across the breadth of IT domains starting from Robotics Process Automation and REST API Services development to Quality Assurance using emerging technology like Blue Prism. My roles also transitioned in TCS from Software Developer to Project Lead to IT Analyst and Software Development Test Engineer. All these changes in roles and responsibilities in mere 5 years gave me a perception of two things: firstly, and most importantly, I am capable of handling work pressure and customers’ needs and am passionate about contributing to the overall business, and secondly, the overall job market scene was too dynamic to just remain an individual contributor. Thus, the decision to pursue a management career was taken.
Choosing a program that meets your needs from the many options available is a difficult decision. I found the XLRI ExPGDM program to be the best fit for me because its highly analytical and case-based pedagogy, as well as its application in current business situations and a wide range of electives, will help me connect my professional learnings with classroom concepts and gain knowledge across broad business functions. The ExPGDM program emphasises workplace values and social responsibilities.
The programme is of 15-month duration and spreads across 6 terms. The Ex PGDM program taught me about a variety of topics, including Finance, Marketing, HR, General Management, Operations, and much more. Along with the curriculum, the leadership talks from various industries provide insight into the industries and assisted in broadening my horizons. The program taught me how to work effectively under pressure, manage my time, and collaborate effectively with a diverse team.
Interacting with my peers as part of a diverse-profile batch has helped me appreciate the commonalities and significant distinctions across numerous industries, allowing me to develop a better understanding of the greater world in general while also allowing me to build my network. All these definitely helped in altering my thought process and analytical skills for better. This, in turn will help me achieve my career goals as well as personal goals.
It can always be exciting to explore new challenges and grow in different areas. I recently went through a career transformation from being a Project Manager in the Oil and Gas industry before joining XLRI to becoming a Manager-Sales in the Automobile sector.
Before this transformation, I had spent several years managing complex mega-scale Lum Sum Turnkey projects in the Oil and Gas and Fertilizer EPC industry.
While I enjoyed the work, I realized that I wanted to explore new opportunities and expand my skillset beyond project management. XLRI gave me an opportunity to explore new roles in other industries and I landed a position as a Manager in Sales for a leading automobile company. The role was completely different from what I had been doing before, and it required me to learn new skills and ways of thinking. XLRI helped me in paving the path to this role.
I am sure that I will be able to leverage my project management skills in new ways, and will develop a new set of skills in Sales and Business development.
Overall, making a career transformation can be a challenging but rewarding experience. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn new skills and adapt to new environments. For me, the switch from Project Manager in Oil and Gas to Manager in Sales in the Automobile sector was the right move, and I am excited about the opportunities and growth that lie ahead.
My journey in XLRI has been an enriching and eventful one. Coming from a technology background in the control system domain and oil & gas industry, I wanted an insightful management journey to use a combination of both to excel in my career. MBA from a reputed institute such as XLRI has propelled my career in the right direction. XLRI helped me in this transition through its well-articulated curriculum and esteemed faculty. The teaching method of each faculty is unique, practical, and engaging. I am glad that I could be part of this experience.
While my experience in the controls system domain gave me the necessary technical expertise, the courses designed by XLRI empowered me with knowledge on various subjects. The enhanced understanding of these subjects helped me build a holistic view of the business environment and how to amalgamate all these learnings in the corporate world to lead an organization effectively. Based on my newly acquired knowledge, I have now transitioned to a Manager – Delivery role, where I hope to incorporate my learnings to provide solutions to various industries to deal with the ever-dynamic and agile corporate environment.
I can undoubtedly say the learning has been multi-dimensional. It has opened up multiple avenues for professional growth and opportunities for me to explore my journey of professional excellence. I am sure that with newly learned skills and abundant knowledge, I will contribute more effectively to the organization I work for and become the competent leader I always aspired for.
John F. Kennedy once said, "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
This quote resonates with me and acts as a guiding hand to constantly acquire new skills and knowledge. Working as a senior design engineer in the automotive industry, I developed my technical and people management skills. However, after 6 years in the industry, the time warranted for the introspection of what more can be done. While the experience had been rewarding, I needed to acquire new skills and knowledge to stay competitive and advance in my career. Also, a much-needed holistic business insight was the major skill required to grow personally and professionally along the corporate ladder. This led me to choose EXPGDM from XLRI.
The case-based teaching approach has helped me develop problem-solving skills, which I have applied in my work. I have also gained valuable insights from my peers, who come from diverse backgrounds and industries.
One of the key takeaways from the program has been the importance of collaboration and teamwork. The program has emphasized the need to work in teams and has taught me how to effectively manage teams. This has been invaluable in my work, where I have had to collaborate with colleagues across different functions and geographies.
Another key learning from the program has been the importance of adaptability. The program has taught me how to adapt to changing circumstances and has given me the tools to navigate complex situations. This has been especially relevant in the finance industry, where market dynamics change rapidly.
The journey is so beautiful that it transforms you not only as a leader but also as a human being. The transformational impact will make sure that you inoculate all decisions effectively with accountability abiding by the brand tagline.
- For the greater good.
“All dreams are within reach. All you have to do is keep moving towards them” – Viola Davis
I began my professional journey as a software developer with Infosys. Working for a U.S based health insurance company I was enthralled by the world of finance. It was this interest that boosted my next career move to Punjab National Bank (PNB), the second-largest PSU bank in India. During my banking career spanning 6 odd years, most of the time, I worked as a credit analyst and successfully managed to increase the overall advance figure of the branch substantially. I handled and led several critical activities like the demonetization process, and the post-merger integration of 3 PSU banks under PNB amongst others thus gaining a lot of valuable exposure to the world of finance.
I had always cultivated a dream of assuming a leadership position, having the ability to come up with game changing ideas and to fulfill this vision, I embarked on the journey of pursuing an MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur. My journey at this institution has been nothing short of exemplary. The outstanding infrastructures, renowned faculty, hands-on coursework coupled with the diversified, sophisticated, and welcoming atmosphere strengthened my viewpoints. With the help of the valuable tools and techniques that I have picked up from this course, I was able to crack a stellar job at Arcesium as a product manager. As a product manager, I aspire to contribute to the product vision and execute the product roadmap. The career transformation from working in a PSU bank to landing up as a product manager at a highly sought after and cutting-edge tech firm, Arcesium, has been a massive turning point in my professional career.
Since the beginning of my preparations for the GMAT exam never had I thought that I would make it to XLRI. When the offer letter came in a few months later, I was ecstatic. And that’s how my journey began inside the hallowed walls of this institute.
As I slowly started interacting with my batch, it was difficult how difficult the road ahead was going to be for the ones who came from the PSUs. I was one of the few students in the batch who came from a non-IT background and was thoroughly confused as to which career path to take to make my previous experience count as well as learn something completely untouched before. Even after repeated conversations with the faculty we were not ready to face what was yet to come as the placement season started. Companies were turning up in hordes and most of us were applying to all of them. The multiple mock sessions coupled with the mentors assigned to us helped us prepare well for the challenges to be placed in the virtual interview rounds. For me, it seemed tougher than climbing a hill since I was sitting for an interview almost after 9 years. Prepping myself, immersing in mock rounds with my peers and learning from the different groups we were put in to complete our assignments helped me frame my stories better around my work experience and brace me well at cracking the interviews.
Last but definitely not the least is how much effort the faculty put in along with each one of us to make this transition as smooth as possible. Being a part of the CDC committee made me realize how different each one of us was from the other and how the efforts to prepare each one of us would be vastly different. Switching from working for the biggest bank of the nation to a company which is growing big with each passing day and which still believes in bringing a smile to their employees faces (even in these post covid stressful times) first has really been a phenomenal one!
I've always been fascinated by technology's potential and how it can influence the future. In order to learn more about the technical requirements for the products, I joined a technology company after finishing my engineering degree. In talking to customers, I learned the justification for a product's vision and realised that a successful product requires both a technologically sound product and a market proposition that generates income. I played a key role in advancing technology advancements, comprehending customer expectations, and translating corporate needs into technical requirements. I kept going and eventually joined a B2B company to learn how businesses collaborate to solve challenges, learning that technology is always a fundamental yet, at the same time, distinct aspect across businesses of all sizes. I gained technical and interpersonal skills while working as a senior engineer, but I also felt like a gear in the machine and was deprived of the satisfaction of delivering a complete solution. As a result, I made the decision to enrol in a management school in order to advance my management profession.
I was able to enhance my previous talents and create a multilateral perspective through the PGDM-GM programme at XLRI. I learned a lot of things during the 15-month PGDM programme, including finance, marketing, human resources, general management, operations, and much more. Along with the curriculum, the leadership seminars given by different corporate leaders gave me knowledge of many fields that helped me to widen my horizons. Through the training, I learned how to successfully manage my time, cooperate, and work under pressure.
Through multiple conversations and contacts with a wide range of classmates and professors at XLRI, the programme assisted in strengthening my interpersonal skills in general, and the case-based curriculum gave me the capacity to effectively handle real-world challenges. In addition to classroom instruction, the various committees at XLRI assisted me in honing my teamwork abilities and developing my interests. My business acumen was improved by learning from and connecting with a talented group of candidates over the year, which put me on the right path to achieving both my professional and personal objectives.
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”—Henry Ford
I started my journey as a Mechanical Engineer for design and quality control at Tata Consultancy Services in the Medical Devices domain. I took up multiple roles during my career and grew in the organisation. After some years I was given the role of a project lead and I got a chance to interact with the clients in that capacity, trying to understand their pain points and working with my team to provide solutions. It was during this time, my interactions with the clients and the senior management, that I realized how much strategic mindset and holistic vision goes into being a successful leader. Juggling the clients’ requirements, the market conditions and the available resource is not an easy task. I realized that if I wanted to be a good leader then I had to inculcate these skills into me. MBA seemed like the next step in this journey.
I was fortunate that I got the chance to walk the hallowed grounds of XLRI, Jamshedpur and sit in the very classrooms that had bred world-class leaders. XLRI’s flagship general management program is best suited for candidates who have already work experience, still are willing to learn and add new skills to their portfolio. My experience in XLRI has been enriching to say the least. Here, in addition to being taught by some of the best professors, we also learn immensely through the experiences of our peers. On one hand core subjects like Marketing, Strategy and Finance built a strong foundation for us, on the other we had subjects like Ethics, Human Resource Management, Communication Management and Organisational Behaviour open our minds to new horizons. The academics as well as the mentorship from the faculty provided me with the perfect platform to completely transform my career which otherwise would have been a close to impossible task.
Equipped with my experience at XLRI and the network of peers that I have created during my time here, I look forward to an exciting and rewarding future.
My journey of career transformation has been driven by a desire to merge my passion for sustainability with my skills in business management. Before pursuing my MBA, I worked as a Project Engineer in the International Cooperation Division of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India. This role allowed me to collaborate with international organizations and governments on projects related to energy efficiency and sustainable development. It was a transformative experience that not only allowed me to develop my technical skills, but also instilled in me the importance of working towards a more sustainable future.
After completing my MBA from XLRI, I am now taking on a new challenge as a Chief Manager in the Digital Banking Group at ICICI Bank. In this role, I will be responsible for driving the bank's digital banking initiatives, leveraging emerging technologies to enhance the customer experience and drive business growth. I am excited to bring my experience in sustainability and project management to this new role, and to contribute to the bank's efforts to create innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of its customers.
I firmly believe that sustainability should be at the core of all business decisions. As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, businesses have a responsibility to drive positive change and ensure a sustainable future. I am passionate about helping organizations achieve this goal by leveraging my skills in business management, project management and sustainability. My journey so far has been an incredible learning experience, and I am excited to continue to grow and develop as a professional as I embark on this new chapter in my career.
I started off my professional journey as a content writer/copywriter & then moved forward as a Communications Manager. Eventually, I was working as an App Marketing Manager at Bajaj Finserv Direct Limited where I handled growth & retention marketing via marketing automation tools, digital ad campaigns & content marketing.
As I progressed 7 years into my career, I realized that my inclination to become a Digital Marketer was not supported by my current learnings & capabilities. I came across XLRI’s flagship PGDM-GM course which is specifically designed for working professionals with industry experience. This is a 15-month program that covers the granularities of marketing, finance, operations & human resource management all combined in one concise, meticulously formulated course that helps to upskill the students into the next stage of their careers as future leaders.
I was able to empower myself with the same knowledge and jump ahead into my career as Sr. Digital Marketing Manager for one of India’s largest automotive giants – Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. This course has helped me open my views as a strategic thinker & problem solver. My learning environment here at XLRI has been enriched by my peers who come from diverse backgrounds giving me an opportunity to pick their brains and through my professors whose teaching methods have ensured that all that we learned remains ingrained in our processes for a lifetime.
Becoming a part of the elected Placement Committee here, provided me with the opportunity to team up with 11 of the sharpest people in our cohort. The XLRI journey has been a pivotal one in my personal and professional career and has given me the career transformation I had hoped for.
I do not know when it started, but I found myself enraptured by the Tourism and Hospitality industry from early on. This led me to a Hospitality and Hotel Administration degree from the reputed IHM Bangalore in 2014.
With this degree, I began my career as a business development executive at Cleartrip, managing partners across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. I led strategic initiatives for customer engagement, acquisition, and position of hotels and increased commissions by 8% during my tenure. I was awarded the LEAP (Leading through Exemplary Action & Performance) for the year 2015-16 for the initiatives I undertook.
The best part about my work at Cleartrip was the immense learning and development that transformed me from a fresher in the industry to a senior executive when I left. With the freedom to chart our own paths and opportunities to lead, I grew leaps and bounds. And it was time to move on to something bigger.
Post Cleartrip, I found myself with Booking.com, where I joined as an Account Manager in 2017. This role pushed me beyond my comfort zone and limits and challenged me in newer ways. I frequently traveled between Tamil Nadu & Kerala, managing stakeholders and nurturing supplier relations. I revived churned customers, managed business during the peak of COVID, and consulted key clients on ways to grow their businesses.
My work over the 8 years in both organizations shaped me as a professional. However, I felt that there were more challenges and opportunities I was willing to take on. This is when I started preparing for one of the most competitive exams “GMAT” & got through the XLRI PGDM (GM) program.
XLRI has been a transformative experience for me, helping me take my career to the next level. I had already gained experience in several aspects of business management. However, the program challenged me to broaden my horizons and pushed me out of my comfort zone, helping me develop new skills and perspectives that will prove to be invaluable in my career.
From learning from some of the best professors in the industry to collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds, the experience has given me a more nuanced understanding of how businesses operate and the skills required to succeed in an ever-evolving business landscape. I have emerged from the program as a more confident, skilled, and agile professional, with a better understanding of what it takes to lead, inspire and create impact in the industry. My time at XLRI has been nothing short of a game-changer, and I am excited to see where my newfound skills and perspectives take me next.
After working as an IT professional for 6 years, I had a good understanding of how to look at the business from a technical perspective, but didn’t had any idea about the different legs of business and what happens outside the tech side. As I was progressing in my career, my role was drifting from performing core technical activities towards more client-centric roles which involved speaking the business language, understanding a client’s mindset, and having knowledge related to different business activities.
Therefore, I decided to pursue an MBA and started to prepare for the same. I got an admit to XLRI’s PGDM(GM) program and started off my MBA journey which helped me broaden my knowledge through classroom teaching and peer learning. As the batch had students from different backgrounds from various industries, the learning increased exponentially. The academic rigor kept us all occupied throughout the duration of the course and prepped us well for our placements. As I was aiming for a Product Manager role itself, the institute offered various workshops, mock interview sessions, alumni connects, and other related support that equipped me with all the resources to ace the interviews. The course has without a doubt helped me transform my role and propelled my career, and I look forward to using the learnings from my time here at XLRI to help make this world a better place.
Before starting my journey at XLR, I have worked with Accenture for 8 years. My career experience majorly involved software engineering, pre-sales and product management.
During this period, I gained valuable insights into the project and team management processes, as the position entailed managing team members and meetings, as well as extensive customer engagement and collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. With my critical thinking approach and interpersonal skills, I was able to handle these situations, but I knew that there were many more parts of project management that, if I could gain, would enable me to work more efficiently in this capacity.
The position required understanding of client business models and was a good fit for my inspiration to attain an MBA. The client engagement helped me realize that, while I am technically proficient with module requirements, I am yet to develop the business acumen necessary to assess overall product development. I began looking for an MBA program that would help me fill this need and prepare me to deal with complex business situations.
Working in collaboration with professionals having industry experience benefitted me from this comprehensive and fast-paced course. Through group interactions and projects with colleagues from various industries and work cultures, the executive MBA helped me strengthen my leadership and people management abilities. The course pushed me to venture outside of my comfort zone. Every day has yielded breakthroughs. To mention a few things, the program taught me about time management, functioning successfully under duress, and effective teamwork with a diversified team. Along with the curriculum, the leadership speakers from other businesses gave me a better understanding of the various industries and helped me broaden my horizons.
The program also includes a career development path and mentors for individuals by upskilling and broadening our skills. They provide us with a platform for self- development through various resources and continuous profile and skill building activities. All these help us to prepare ourselves for the journey awaited, further professionally and personally.
I worked with organizations such as Infosys, Wells Fargo, and Wipro. And I worked with clients mainly from BFSI and Manufacturing domains. While working with these organizations I got a chance to work on projects related to Business Analysis, Solution Design, Digital Transformation, Strategic Implementation, and Business Continuity Management. But even after working in multiple organizations, I realized that my understanding of business acumen was still limited. Hence, I decided that an MBA was the best way forward. After that, I cracked GMAT and got into one of the best B-schools in the country i.e., XLRI.
As a high performer, joining XLRI was a moment of truth for me. My academic journey has been enriching and transformative. I got a chance to learn about various aspects of business, in this VUCA world, from some of the best professors. Peer-to-peer learning has further helped me to improve my understanding of the industry landscape.
Leveraging my technology experience, I aspired to work in a role that would provide me an opportunity to contribute directly towards the growth of organizations. My selection in Accenture Strategy as a consultant has ensured the same and has given me a platform to tackle problems plaguing businesses and come up with effective solutions.
Having worked extensively in the healthcare service industry with an experience of about 8 years, my work responsibilities were around Operations, Strategy & Business Development. My expertise revolved around financial modelling, regulatory compliance, product penetration, revenue generation through various strategies & handling key account managers and customer relations.
In my previous organization I worked as Business Development and Operations Manager and looked into the smooth functioning of the day-to-day activities along with growth plans by tapping into new geographies & expanding the customer base for my organization.
While working for my previous organization also, I was looking into the Operations, Financial Modelling, revenue generation.When industry as such was growing 7-8% we worked towards a growth of 14-15% YOY.
Being a part of Axis Bank, there is going to be a change of industry for sure, but I had always looked forward to finance in my previous organization and looked for opportunities to delve deeper into the domain. For any organization there is a certain structure that remains the same – like Goals, Process, Inventory (can be labour too) & Project. So, my experience will add an advantage to me to achieve growth in Banking as well. It is a risky but a highly rewarding industry. Getting into the role as AVP for WBCG (Wholesale Banking Coverage Group), I am excited to look into operations and sales for a top Indian Private Bank Axis Bank for a role that will be challenging but surely equally rewarding.
I enrolled in the PGDM(GM) programme at XLRI with the intention of advancing my career into a product role. With a background in software development, I believed that a structured understanding of business and management would assist me in developing the key skills required for this transition. The experience at XLRI has truly helped me achieve this goal and transition my career. The experience was comprehensive, and I feel prepared to take on new challenges and make a bigger impact in any role I take on. The course and my time at XLRI helped to broaden my horizons, and the transformation journey was palpable. The institution, its excellent professors, and the well-structured programme ensured that my previous work experience was utilised in this transformational journey. This has given me an immense amount of confidence, and I'm hoping to use it to apply my knowledge and experience in meaningful ways in my future assignments. This has been a very enriching experience, and I believe that my decision to participate in this programme will help launch my career. XLRI's PGDM(GM) programme has had a significant impact on my life and career.
I am an Electronics and Telecommunication engineer. I started my career as a Software Tester at Accenture Solutions Private Limited. I have Expertise in product feature enhancements testing, Software Testing lifecycle and product quality management.
5.5 years into the corporate world, I came across a confused stage in my life. A career jump was essential, but a 2-year program wouldn’t quite cut it for me then as it wasn’t feasible to take that long a break. It was at this juncture that I came to learn of XLRI’s flagship 15-month management program – PGDM (General Management). This course was catered for working professionals with a good amount of industry experience, enabling them to grasp the latest in management theory, broadening their perspectives and giving them the right platform to catapult their career thereon. The course was rigorously designed to test one’s capabilities but made sure the necessary acumen was grasped by the students.
The program added a lot to my skill sets together with giving an unparallel exposure to various aspects of business skills needed to thrive in a career. The curriculum, assignments, workshops, guest speaker series develops a new way of looking at things.
During the 15 months of the MBA, you get excellent exposure to various industries as the case study methodology at XLRI covers the length & breadth of management problems across multiple industries. The fundamentals of problem-solving in any sector remain the same - listening to the customers, a design-thinking approach, and connecting the dots between problem and solution. In addition to the academic training, interaction with various industry leaders at XLRI, hearing their success stories, and problem-solving approach instill confidence in students, empowering them with a "Can-do" attitude.
I am looking forward to working at Merilytics. Merilytics offers advanced and intelligent analytical solutions to clients globally. The solutions primarily focus on using decision sciences and analytics-based approaches to generate superior returns for clients. The skills that I have learned at XLRI will be very helpful in traversing through my new career journey.
Overall XLRI’s PGDM (GM) program has been the right fit for me and I would strongly recommend this course to anybody fitting the criteria who would be looking to grow on a professional front.
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” - Albert Einstein
I came to XLRI from Telecom-IT sector. Having a client-facing role, my aspiration for senior roles had a drift towards roles that would put in more forward towards client. Going through Academics and processes, somewhere along the way my mind got set towards Consulting. Having world-class professors, along with focused trainings, helped me keep in track of my way towards my desired career.
The days in XLRI are long, as it would be expected in a premier MBA program, but the journey is worth it. Going through everything, I’ve found myself having more resilient than previous seen, more proactive than previous seen, and more striving towards excellence. XLRI allowed me to change into a role of my choice, and that’s no small feat. There were times that the next step wasn’t very clear, but a belief in process and calmness helped to venture through those fogs of uncertainty. The program is rigours, but it’s rigours for a purpose, and that’s what is important to remember.
I can’t consider this my final stage, it hardly is. It is, however, an important milestone. I’m thankful to XLRI for guiding me through this journey and helping me take on better responsibilities.
Walt Disney once famously said “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”.
Having a keen interest in financial services sector I pursued BMS from Mumbai university, following which I worked for about 6 years in the BFSI industry with some of the marquee organizations such as Morgan Stanley, Edelweiss and a fast-paced startup - SafeGold. While I was able to hone my domain knowledge and functional skills, I recognized that I was lacking a wholistic understanding of how different business functions work. In order to bridge this gap, and accelerate my growth as a leader of tomorrow, I decided to pursue my MBA in one of the most prestigious B-schools XLRI Jamshedpur, taking up the flagship PGDM GM program.
My time at XLRI has enabled me to develop a structured mindset to solve complex problems and develop the agility to navigate the fast-paced and ever- evolving business world. The executive MBA helped me enhance my leadership and people management skills via group interactions and projects, collaborating with people from varied educational backgrounds and work experience. The program has helped transformed my approach towards solving problems and given me ample confidence to evolve into a leader of tomorrow.
This program has helped me not only in enhancing my knowledge but in building my character. Everyday was a new challenge, a new learning and an opportunity to grow. I feel honored that I will be graduating from this prestigious institution and hope to carry forward its legacy, making an impact in my sphere of work.
Prior to Joining XLRI Jamshedpur, I worked at the State Bank of India as a Deputy manager. I have worked across Retail, SME, and Agribusiness units and was responsible for credit growth in above mentioned business units, operations, and risk management across different business units. I was also responsible for cross-selling and driving Government schemes like Mudra Yojana.
XLRI has given me an opportunity to learn different subjects. XLRI has provided a broader understanding of various functions and their interdependencies. This knowledge has helped me in understanding the business landscape and making more informed decisions.
Finance, strategy, and marketing subjects have given me a chance to have a better understanding of the business. The college has given me a chance to interact with a vibrant cohort of batchmates from diverse professional backgrounds. The guest lectures, conclaves, and workshops from top industry professionals enlightened my knowledge with their learnings and experience. I was a part of the corporate competition committee where as a team we were responsible for organizing case competitions in the college. This course is indeed a challenging but rewarding journey that has led to exciting career opportunities. After my MBA at XLRI Jamshedpur, I will be joining Jio Platform in the Product manager role.
The dependency on the corporate world is increasing in the world, and to speak in the language of corporate a master’s in Business Administration is requisite. I learned the potential of this degree by analyzing my own limitations. It was through a number of positions from Business operations executive to Assistant Engineer. In the role, my responsibilities were not limited to my technical background rather, I was supposed to communicate with the team, plan, prioritize, and adapt to the everyday processing being mindful of recurring challenges. It has always been my personal goal to continue my education by pursuing an advanced graduate degree. So, while I am growing as an employee, I now needed managerial skills that would allow me to be the decision-maker and comprehend the terms of expansion. Thus, I aimed for an MBA at the highly pronounced university XLRI Jamshedpur to augment my professional growth.
Academically, in 2012, I took up a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. The course gave me a natural inclination toward technology. I developed relevant knowledge and skills after completing the course in 2016, when I joined as an Executive—Business Operations at AKL Technologies. Following this in 2017, I joined SpiceJet Limited as an Assistant Engineer – Planning and Supply chain Management.
The PGDM GM by XLRI Jamshedpur is a specially crafted management program aimed at shaping young graduates like me with relevant work experience into potential future leaders through holistic development. The academic program combined with global exposure from eminent corporate leaders enables personalized learning into critical aspects of business management. The strong alumni network, world-class infrastructure, unique pedagogy, good connection to industry, experienced faculty, and peer-to-peer learning was added advantage. The kind of exposure that I got at XLRI Jamshedpur will foster my personal growth and enrich me with beautiful experiences for life
I have aspired to undergo an MBA course from one of the premium B-schools in the country since my high-school days. After completing five rewarding years in LTI, I was on track to transition to leadership roles in the company. I felt it to be the right time to take a break from work for an MBA. The then ‘Work From Home’ mode of working facilitated my preparation for the management entrance exams, and XAT was also one of the exams I targeted.
My efforts bore fruit, and my happiness knew no bounds when I was offered admission to XLRI’s PGDM (GM) program. Here, I learned about business concepts from expert faculty, some of whom I would cherish as one of the best teachers in my life. My peers came with over five years of rich experience in diverse domains. I have got opportunities to have many thought-provoking and spirited discussions with my peers and faculty throughout this journey. XLRI also offered the opportunity to engage in a broad spectrum of co-curricular activities, student clubs, and committees.
The aspiration of product management roles came naturally to me as my previous job involved owning both technical and client aspects of an application module. The integrated business understanding from subjects like Strategy, Marketing, and Finance equipped me for product management roles.
XLRI provided a great platform to learn about business and boost my career.
After working as a category manager in the retail industry for 7 years with D-Mart, I realized that I wanted to broaden my knowledge and skills in the field of supply chain and operations. I pursued an MBA from XLRI to gain a deeper understanding of these areas and to learn how to apply my knowledge in a broader context. During my MBA, I had the opportunity to work on consulting projects and I found that I really enjoyed working with clients and helping them solve complex problems. I also appreciate Deloitte's vision and mission of making an impact that matters, and their values of integrity, outstanding value to markets and clients, commitment to each other, and strength from cultural diversity. I believe that my experience in the retail industry has provided me with a unique perspective on supply chain and operations, and my MBA has equipped me with the analytical and problem-solving skills required to excel in a consulting role at Deloitte. I am excited about the opportunity to work with a dynamic team at Deloitte and to contribute to making a positive impact for clients.