Nalin Agarwal’s Post

Congratulations and a warm welcome to all those embarking on their B-school journey this year! Kudos to all the hard work you've put in to reach this milestone. Reflecting on my first year, I’d like to share how an MBA has profoundly impacted my life and the unique role IIM played in that journey. 📚 A Year Full of Surprises and Challenges 📚 My first year at IIM was a whirlwind of surprises, hurdles, parties, assignments, projects, presentations, exams, all-nighters, case competitions, business talks, event participation and what not. They say B-school never sleeps—how true that is! If you’re expecting a full sleep schedule, think again. While some exceptional minds manage it, I was definitely not one of them. MBA is a fast-paced journey that constantly presents new challenges. Here are some of the big learnings I gained: 🔹 Build Good Rapport with Seniors: They can offer invaluable guidance and support. 🔹 Participate in Case Competitions: These are great opportunities for practical learning and networking. 🔹 Adapt to Both Academics and Co-curriculars: Balance is key in navigating the demands of B-school. 🔹 Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: MBA pushes you to grow and groom yourself for the professional world. 🔹 Be Mindful of Your Relationships: Understand the difference between acquaintances, classmates, and friends. B-school is highly competitive, and while competition is healthy, it’s important to maintain a positive attitude and celebrate others' successes. 🎉 Enjoy the Journey 🎉 Lastly, party hard and enjoy every moment. For many, this is the last hostel life experience, so make the most of it! Wishing all the new B-school entrants an incredible journey ahead. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the wins, and make lifelong memories. #MBA #BschoolLife #IIM #StudentExperience #LifeAtIIM #BschoolJourney #CareerGrowth #Networking #MBAExperience #FutureLeaders

Wrapping up our MBA journey at IIM V, I asked my fellow batchmates a heartfelt question: What will you miss most about our time here? Their answers painted a colorful picture of our experiences. The responses were as diverse as our cohort itself. 🔵 Few said ~ will miss the buzzing campus life, filled with discussions turned debates and late-night study sessions or simple night walks around! 🔵 ~ will miss the bonds forged over chai at the canteen or the hostel room that became our second home, and the stunning campus scenery that provided moments of peace. 🔵 Others spoke fondly of the camaraderie forged through group projects, case competitions, and endless discussions. 🔵 And ofcourse: the guidance and support of our faculty, who not only taught us but also inspired us to grow personally and professionally. 🔵 We all agreed was on one thing: will miss being around 24*7. What MBA gave us was accessibility, the ease and ability to connect with one another and get things done! As we prepare to move on, let's cherish the memories made, the friendships formed, and the lessons learned. Our time at IIM V ended, but the connections and knowledge gained will stay with us forever. Watch the YT short to know what they said - https://lnkd.in/gUNfamAW 🎓 #IIMV #MBAJourney #Graduation2024 #FarewellMemories

Did you know? While the renowned IIM boasts an impressive average salary of $36,500, MBA graduates from top-tier international B-Schools are achieving an astounding average of $221,084! The possibilities are boundless. 🌐✨ If you're contemplating an MBA, expanding your horizons internationally has the potential to significantly amplify your return on investment. It's not just about the degree; it's about the transformative experiences that come with it. Explore our list of the Top 25 B-Schools with ROI that surpasses even the remarkable IIM. 💡📈 Now, let's engage in a conversation: 🌍 Have you considered studying abroad for your MBA? 🏫 What's your dream B-School? Share your aspirations, experiences, and dreams below. Together, we navigate the exciting landscape of global education and career development. Your journey begins here. ⬇️ #MBAAbroad #HigherEducation #BusinessMasters #GlobalOpportunities #ROIinEducation #CareerDevelopment #LinkedInLearning

And just like that, a year flew by. Here, I am, living my dream! Exactly a year ago, super anxious, I was awaiting the results without having absolutely any idea how this journey was going to turn out for me. I guess I'm doing okay! The other day when I was flying back after packing all my stuff, off to another thrilling journey of 2 months, a gentleman seated next to me on my flight happened to notice my IIMB jacket. He asked, " Do you study here?" to which I replied, "Yes." He then said, "Is it true you have presentations all day long and classes in the night as well? How's life there? How are the nights?" With a sparkle in his eyes, he was listening to how I was describing my life at IIM Bangalore. He said, "One last question, do you think it's worth it? The hype, about MBAs?". It got me thinking, I took a pause and then replied, "Well for me this experience was totally worth it. The lessons I have learnt throughout the year, and by lessons I am sooo not talking about all the Business related stuff, that for sure was there, and in its best version from the few best professors I could ever ask for. I was talking about life lessons. Lessons about having multiple perspectives towards things, it pushed me to broaden my limits of thinking. The answers we prepared for "Why MBA" where one of the points was always the "diverse peer group", trust me this diversity and brilliant minds around you compel you to think beyond the limits to every problem thrown at you. All in all, worth it for me." Cheers to my section-mates (The best section to "B") who made year-1 interesting at the place to B! #iim #mba #iimb #bschool #motivation #cat #interview #bangalore #cat2023 #exam

CAT is over and very soon, B-Schools will have the next batch of future leaders. Considering the fees and opportunity cost candidates need to invest in order to get an MBA degree, it's one of the most crucial decisions they make in their life. In this realm of B-School choices, headlines often sway candidates towards new, high-placement boasting institutions while casting doubts on established ones like ISB or IIMs. In recent times, the market situation has been bad and these headlines don't' show you the actual transformation one goes through while pursuing their MBA from these prestigious institutions. Legacy institutions like ISB and IIMs offer proven track records, industry connections, and resilient alumni networks. Instead of getting swayed by fleeting news, prioritize institutions with a history of shaping leaders and adapting to industry shifts. Choose based on a B-School's credibility and long-standing impact, not just immediate placement figures from newer, unverified entities. I've seen candidates making wrong decisions and not overcoming it. We all know the classic case of IIPM. NOTE: This post has nothing to do with any particular B-School. The views shared are personal. #cat2023 #bschools #mba #iimbangalore #isb #placements #mentorship #decisionmaking

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Let's face it. The only thing which is your primary output from an IIM or any other premier B School is the Jumpstart to your career AND the Network of highly successful Alumni within your reach easier than for most others. But, that ONLY thing is HUUGGEEly valuable! It's the best thing that can happen to your initial career. Good luck for those who are going to start their MBA courses this month. #iim #mba #network

Three pillars that help you make an informed decision about any institution/organization: a) Knowledge/Learnings: Defined by degree, experiences, pedagogy etc. b) Return on investment: Outcomes you aspire for in the long term, short term c) Alumni association/network: Community that enables your growth As you climb the ladder, you realise the importance of your network (read net worth) & the immense impact/influence of people who've walked a similar terrain (just before you did). As the B-School interview season has kickstarted, I and my few friends currently studying at premier institutions like IIM-K & IIFT-Delhi, are hosting a free webinar on cracking GD-PI rounds. The session is on 11th January '24. We'll delve into our experiences and share our learnings to help you ace the process. Link in comments below. Please do share with MBA aspirants ✨ #mba #learnings #mentorship #cat #xat #iim #iift #du #career #delhiuniversity

Can you crack the Indian School of Business (ISB) with 75% in 10th, 70% in 12th, and a drop year after 12th? Yes, you can if you work sincerely towards it!! One of my mentees, Gourav Agrawal recently got an admit from the school through his sheer determination and sincerity. Many congratulations to him. Gives me great joy to see his success. Many candidates who reach out to me for admissions consultation tell me that they have been told by numerous consultants that they can't get a good B-School because of reasons such as not so great academics, not so great GMAT/GRE scores, or not being from a prestigious undergrad institution. However, working with these candidates for their applications and interviews, I have now time and again seen that many of them were indeed able to convert good colleges. Hence, I again want to underline that b-schools look at your profile in a holistic manner - don't beat yourself up because you don't have stars shining everywhere. You can still get a good admit if you do the right things and work sincerely towards it. #isb #mba #success

#MBAlife Breaking the myth- “MBA from top B schools is full of stress” For many years I have come across similar statements with many people expressing different schools of thought on this matter. I have been getting many similar queries from MBA aspirants. While being in the zone for the last one year I feel it’s important to address the elephant in the room. 💻 Context- Two year flagship MBA program brings an array of enriching activities. Academics goes beyond the conventional confines of examinations to various modes of continuous evaluation of students through assignments, quizzes, submissions, pre reads, class participations, projects and many more. Apart from academics, there are focused activities related to internships and placements. Additionally, a plethora of opportunities unfolds in the form of numerous club initiatives and extracurricular pursuits including spirited sport events. In short, MBA from premier institutions offers a lot of opportunities that are new for many of the students. ⚠ Why do students feel stressed? This aspect should be evaluated on an individual basis. An attempt to generalize leads to two possible reasons of stress are fear of missing out and competitive mentality. Competition is an inevitable truth of our generation. Excessive competition leads to the fear of losing and getting surpassed by others in various aspects. Which eventually leads to pressure to perform, comparison, self-doubt and physical and emotional toll. 📝 My take- Becoming the best at everything is practically impossible. It is important to understand where your interest and expertise lie and wholeheartedly pursue them. While exploring new endeavors, focus on broadening your horizon rather than the zeal of outshining others. No matter what, you will always miss out on something. Life extends much beyond just two years, so focus on self-development, cherish every moment, make good friends and good memories. ✒ Although the view is expressed based on my experience in the last one year at IIM Calcutta, there may be other viewpoints and alternative opinions are always welcome. P.S. The picture of section D students of 60th batch of IIM Calcutta   #IIMC #MBAlife #IIMCalcutta #Life