It took me forever on how to write this post. Should I start
off like any other “typical” post about “The MBA/PGPM Life” or is there another
way? In fact, that is what I learnt first here at Great Lakes. There is another
way. All you need to do is stop “running” and enjoy the view because the
picture you’ve wanted to paint all along is turning out to be better than
expected.
I wish I could write this post on what to expect from
joining the PGPM program at Great Lakes, Gurgaon but the truth is the
unexpected that is only certainty, and trust me, that is a Great thing! I cannot do anything by agree with you when there were
obvious apprehensions prior to the dawn of the program, leaving the
professional world as we know it in hope of embarking on much challenging
journeys in life through unchartered waters. Yes, I know that feeling because I
was reading up on schools like you are right now. That feeling will soon put to
bed once you realize that the friends you make here are going last a lifetime.
Even more so because they made it in here just like you did and nobody can ever
say that you have nothing in common.
The “Ice-breaker” trip we had to Rishikesh bought the mentality
of all of us “being in this together” definitely made us work that way from
that day on. Win or lose, we’d do it together (Especially the white water
rafting). Either way we would end up indulging in multiple rounds of “bunta
juices: A delicacy of the location” brought us only closer as a batch and
nothing else.
 |
| Titans - Deepti Balakrishnan and me |
I’m writing this post at the very end of my program here at
Great Lakes. Well, almost. And looking back I really can’t understand where the
time has gone. Yes, there have been a ton (quite literally) of trainings,
classes, exams, late night study sessions, projects, more projects, and the
always entertaining group assignments. Watch out! This is when the person you
would’ve killed a thousand times over in your mind becomes a friend and you realize
that you were judgmental. To anyone in any B-school past / present saying
otherwise, trust me they’re trying really hard to be cool. To all the B-school
grads that’re reading this, am I right? Or am I right?
Great Lakes, Gurgaon is known for two things in particular.
First, we are the front runners in having in our curriculum two of the fastest
growing industries in India, Energy and Big Data & Analytics. Much to my
surprise, Big Data & Analytics isn’t just a mammoth sized file with a gazillion numbers but indeed is a
thinking business. “Lateral thinking” methodologies are put to the test and
whether we like it or not, all Great Lakers are Analytics minors at Gurgaon. And
second, extraordinary faculty- Great Lakes has spared no cost in reeling in the
best of teachers who not only cater to other premier schools in India but
abroad as well. Having a global perspective of learning has only strengthened
the meaning of our motto “Global mindset.
Indian roots”.
While I could give a run-down of the academic portion,
projects and lecturers of the program it’s also important to describe another
critical aspect of the program and that is the out of class experiences that
are critical to our development as business leaders in a culturally diverse
world. Great Lakes, Gurgaon has a lot (And I mean “A LOT”) of Industrial speakers who take the time out from their
busy schedules and meet with the student. “Wait a minute! Why?” you might
probably wonder but I believe them to be the links between what we do in class and
what the world out there really runs on. While our “live-projects” and
Empirical research projects also gives us such insights, the sheer quantum of
knowledge that is shared in these sessions can be compared to none. Uncle Bala
calls it “Experiential Learning and insights”. We couldn’t agree more.
 |
| L-R : Yogesh and Srinivas @ Great Lakes, Chennai Campus |
I was among the lucky three to visit the Chennai campus for
three days. Although both campuses are identical in academics and most events
are replicated across locations, the student life is completely different. To
put it in a nutshell: “In Chennai, I know
more people. In Gurgaon, I know more people”.
Let me shed some light on the activities. While some enjoy
swimming or working out when we find the time to, there are some who diligently
play every day. Yes, every day. You learn how to manage your time better. I
would be lying if I told you I was them though but hey! I like to eat the sheek
kebab rolls sold next door. That’s some exercise too. Haha!
“Be an opportunist” Uncle Bala’s words were taken a little
too seriously. Be it indulge in going that extra mile to make things happen in
college or quite literally “the extra mile” might just end up in Jaipur for a
weekend at a classmates house. Either way, the fact that we’re a culturally
diverse group and know very little about other cultures than our own, we’d have
a blast. Yes, I am from Bangalore and the “sarso
ka saag” is better than it sounds.
“The best year of your life” has long been associated with
GLIM’s PGPM program. Having experienced it myself, calling it “the best year of
my life” is merely an understatement for the lack of a better word. Never have
I been exposed to such miscellany, where differences are celebrated and they
blend perfectly to form a different kind of culture beyond religion, and other social
nuances. A culture filled with humility, respect, and at the same time, courage
and tenacity to take on the world.
It has been an honor and I hope my this post has been
helpful. From the corner table of the classroom, Yogesh Babu, signing out.
