SJMSOM - The Kingdom Beside The Lake

Pursuing MBA these days may be a common thing for people. But if the MBA is persued from a Top management institute, the journey can make it worth remembering. And when I remember my journey at Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM), IIT Bombay, I still feel proud that I was part of such excellent institution.

I am an alumnus of SJMSOM, IIT Bombay, (Batch of 2014-16). I had a work experience of more than a year with a leading IT firm prior to joining IIT Bombay’s Master of Management Program.

I assume that you are an MBA aspirant if you are reading this and will be taking CAT 2016. I was in your position a couple of years ago and can relate to your state of mind completely. An MBA is not about how good or bad you were in the past, but the programme's two years will be greatly instrumental in shaping your career ahead.

At first, I had misgivings about joining IIT Bombay for a management degree. But, getting associated to the brand IIT and being part of the larger IIT community was a longtime dream come true and a compelling reason indeed. Trust me, I don’t regret my decision now. It comes with several perks as well.

As part of IIT Bombay campus, you get access to top class infrastructure spread over 550 Acre  green campus, be it library, gym, student council, and so on. At the same time, you get plethora of opportunity in terms of volume and value which you may miss in any specialized MBA college.

As far as academics is concerned, life is relatively chilled out here. It offers a General Management degree which allows you to be the ‘Jack of all Trades’. However, you may specialize in a particular stream by opting for the related electives from the pool of numerous electives offered by the school. The number of lectures is comparatively less and hence there is a lot of time for the other activities. The papers are evenly distributed over the semesters. We have the semester system and each semester is divided into two terms (there are a total of eight terms).

This is good in the sense that one doesn't have to read too many papers at a time. The school has a big pool of eminent permanent professors and invites many industry experts as guest faculty. Not just the department library but one can also access the central library which helps widening the knowledge base to another level.

SJMSOM provides an excellent industry exposure to its students in terms of LIVE projects, consulting assignments, corporate competitions based on real life industry problems and several industry stalwarts coming down to the campus to share their experience. SJMSOM hold this under the name of Diksha and Continuums. Both of these events invite personalities form the industry to share their experience.

The best aspect of SJMSOM is that all the activity is student-driven. Be it driving the clubs or teams, admission process, placement process or interacting with the industry personas. This allows students to inculcate the sense of responsibility before they step into the real corporate world.

SJMSOM also hosts an international business festival, Avenues. Avenues is again entirely student -driven event with the guidance of faculty. It sees participation of reputed B-Schools from pan India, which gives them an opportunity of networking.

Then there is Mood Indigo, one of India's biggest cultural festivals. During my two years, I witnessed two seasons of the country;s most famous cultural campus festival. People from various colleges wait with bated breaths to witness this four-day extravaganza.

Competitions have always been close to my heart. But it becomes very difficult to participate and finally take time out to go and present the solution if you are in a remote location. However, it was the location advantage that I could attempt almost every corporate competition and numerous b-school competition which has allowed me to grow in all dimensions.

IIT is place to be for the sports enthusiasts. One can play anything from carom to chess, hockey to cricket. If you are good, you also get ample opportunity to represent the school at various events and earn accolades. IIT organizes its own mini marathon and it inculcated in me a strong zeal for running marathons.

You don’t have to worry if you are a foodie. Trust me, this is the most happening campus you may ever find - one that is lively the whole night and safe at the same time. You have got food joints, cafeteria, hostel canteens serving you ‘delicious’ cuisines even till 4 am in the morning. My favorite hangout place used to be Gulmohar, popularly known as ‘gullu’ in the student community. Campus hub and Brueberry are also good, albeit in the slightly premium segment. How could I miss out on the canteen at CSE department? It is the place where probably you will find the best samosa in Mumbai and mouthwatering idli-chutney. Grabbing panini at Nescafe in those short tea breaks is something I will miss a lot.

At times when I used to get downbeat, Sameer hills and lake side view would be the places I would head towards to get some piece of mind. The view is mesmerizing and soothing on eyes.

I would miss SJMSOM, IIT Bombay. 

                                                              Signing off:-Mr  R.K. Narnoli