Why an MBA?
Prior to ISB, I worked as a market researcher for three years at IMRB International, Kolkata where I was involved mostly in FMCG research. Sometime during my second year there, I decided to go for a second MBA.

I had already completed my first PGP from XIMB, immediately after I finished my BE with no work experience. But while at IMRB, I felt doing an MBA after a few years of work experience would have made better sense. Thus, I set out to prepare for GMAT with a view to taking admission in an international business school.

I remember when I was in my final year engineering in 2002, and I was contemplating what I would do, given the IT scenario at the time, my father (a senior government of India employee) had shown me an article in the newspaper about ISB which mentioned that students with a minimum two years of work experience are admitted. The article and some encouraging words of my father planted the first thought in my mind of finding myself as a proud student in that prestigious business school, which is in a class by itself.

When I completed my PGP from XIMB, my father hinted at me studying again and I used to make faces. But as time passed, I knew my Dad was posing a challenge and I wanted to prove to myself and him that I could take it up. Moreover, my job as a researcher made the challenge even tougher.

There were times when I had no weekends for several weeks at a stretch. Work hours were demanding and late nights were common. But that was a test of my determination and persistence. After a few months of preparation amidst the tough work schedule, I cracked the GMAT with a 94 percentile score. Thereafter, began the rigour of applying to ISB. Soon after I got shortlisted for the interview and finally joined the select batch of the Class of 2008.

I'm often asked why I chose ISB. My answer is simple: I wanted to raise the bar, after having studied at reputed institutes like XIMB and NIT Rourkela. ISB, which is today a world-renowned business school, provided me just this opportunity, and at home in India.

Many also ask if a second MBA adds any value? My answer: Yes! Especially if it is from ISB.

As mentioned in a welcome speech by one of our seniors, this is a place where under one roof you get to meet over 400 CEOs in the making. The student body is so diverse; you learn something even during a casual chat with your batch-mates over dinner. Besides, when you consider the kind of healthy interaction between the faculty and the student body ISB facilitates, and how students interact with the faculty not just in class, but also at the dining table, at parties and even in the recreation centre while exercising, you realise how different ISB really is; I've already developed a good rapport with a few professors whose subjects I have not even opted for during our elective terms.

Another great thing that has been possible -- I've listened to Thomas Friedman, Jeffrey Sachs and Doug Bailie live!

The course has forced me to push myself, I’ve come to realise that we all have so much more potential than we give ourselves credit for. Sometimes this place makes one think nothing is impossible.

It seems like just yesterday I was asked 'Why ISB?' Now they ask me 'What after ISB'? Well, a good job certainly; but in a role that will help me define myself, a role that will help me stretch myself, a role that will help me put to practice what I learnt here, and one that will allow me to keep connected with my batch-mates, alumni, faculty members and future ISB-ians.