In Conversation with Kartik Garg, alumnus of IIFT Delhi

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) Delhi is a government institution that was established in the year 1963. The institute ranked 17th in the management category. It achieved a score of 62.93 and is ranked 17th out of 125 institutions and is “A+” graded by NAAC and AICTE-approved. IIFT Delhi courses include MBA, PGD, MA, and Ph.D courses. Candidates having a valid score in MAT/XAT/CMAT/CAT and meeting the eligibility criteria are offered IIFT Delhi Admissions.

Careers360 brings an interview with Kartik Garg, alumnus of IIFT Delhi. Kartik shares details about his career progression, memorable experiences, and the course pursued at IIFT Delhi. Go through the interview to learn more about alumni’s campus life and experiences.

Careers360: Please introduce yourself, and share reasons why you chose this college as your preferred institution for higher education.

Kartik Garg: I’m Kartik Garg, born and raised in Delhi, and a graduate in Fashion Technology from NIFT Delhi. I began my career at Reliance Brands, where I managed the Armani portfolio and gained first-hand exposure to how international businesses operate. I chose to join IIFT because it’s the only institute in India that offers a focused MBA in International Business. I’ve always believed that marketing and trade go hand-in-hand, and to build a strong career in marketing, I wanted to deepen my understanding of global trade and markets, which IIFT uniquely enables.

Careers360: How would you describe your overall experience at the institution?

Kartik Garg: My experience at IIFT has been enriching and transformative. Coming from a fashion background, the coursework was new, but the faculty made the learning curve smooth and engaging. The program offers multiple live projects that helped me apply theory to real business problems, and the mandatory port visit gave me valuable exposure to trade operations. We also work with NGOs through the Student Awareness Program, which adds a strong social dimension to our learning. Beyond academics, the campus is vibrant with events and activities that make the experience both dynamic and enjoyable.

Careers360: How well did the curriculum prepare you for your career or higher studies?

Kartik Garg: I came to IIFT with a clear goal of building a career in Sales and Marketing, and the curriculum supported that perfectly. Courses like Marketing Management, Consumer Behaviour, Brand Management, and Sales & Distribution were very application-oriented and helped me perform well in my summer internship. At the same time, subjects in IT, Finance, and Strategy strengthened my overall business understanding, which is crucial for a marketing professional.

Careers360: Were there sufficient opportunities for internships, projects, or industry exposure during your time here?

Kartik Garg: Yes, IIFT offers ample industry exposure through internships and live projects. I got the opportunity to work on two live projects - one with Flipkart in fashion benchmarking and another with Godrej Consumer Products in fragrances and antiperspirants. My summer internship was also with Godrej Consumer Products, where I worked on a project developing the personal care market in India and another on Rural Distribution. These experiences gave me strong practical insights and helped me connect classroom learning with real business scenarios

Careers360: How did extracurricular activities, clubs, or cultural events contribute to your personal development?

Kartik Garg: IIFT has a very active campus life with 13+ clubs, committees, and cells that students can be part of. I’m a member of Brandwagon, the Marketing & Research Club, which has helped me sharpen my marketing thinking, work on competitions, and handle campus-wide events. For every major event, there’s an organizing committee, which creates great senior–junior interaction and builds teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. These extracurriculars have played a big role in my overall personality development beyond academics.

Careers360: What were the key strengths of the campus environment (infrastructure, resources, student life)?

Kartik Garg: One of IIFT’s biggest strengths is its vibrant student life. With a compact campus and a close-knit community, there’s always something happening: club events, competitions, festivals, and prep sessions. The strong peer network and approachable seniors create a very collaborative environment. The energy, culture, and engagement it offers make the experience truly memorable.

Careers360: Did the placement cell or career services meet your expectations? Why or why not?

Kartik Garg: Yes, the placement cell met my expectations. They are very structured in their approach, right from CV reviews and mock interviews to continuous guidance from seniors and alumni. The placement process is transparent, well-coordinated, and ensures that students are well-prepared for roles across functions. Their support played a key role in helping me navigate my internship and final placement journey confidently.

Careers360: How has your degree contributed to your professional growth and career trajectory?

Kartik Garg: My degree at IIFT has contributed significantly to my professional growth. It strengthened my foundation in marketing and gave me structured exposure to trade, consumer insights, and sales: areas directly aligned with my career goals. The live projects, summer internship, and industry interactions helped me build practical skills, while the overall academic rigor improved my problem-solving and decision-making. It has given me both clarity and confidence in my career trajectory in Sales & Marketing.

Careers360: What skills gained at the institution do you find most valuable in your current role?

Kartik Garg: The most valuable skills I gained at IIFT are strong sales and distribution fundamentals, analytical thinking, and the ability to interpret data for decision-making. Courses and live projects taught me how to understand consumer behaviour, evaluate markets, and work with structured frameworks. The internship and project work also helped me build stakeholder management and communication skills, both essential when working with distributors, retailers, and cross-functional teams.

Careers360: What challenges did you face during your academic journey, and how did you overcome them?

Kartik Garg: One of my main challenges was adapting to a completely new curriculum since I come from a fashion background. The shift to core business subjects initially felt overwhelming. I overcame this through strong faculty support, who made concepts easy to grasp, and by actively learning from my peers. Group work, discussions, and consistent practice helped me bridge the gap quickly and gain confidence.

Careers360: How do you stay connected with fellow alumni and the institution?

Kartik Garg: I stay connected through multiple touchpoints facilitated by the Alumni Relations Committee, which actively engages alumni for guest lectures, industry sessions, and mentorship. Our annual business conclave and the Grand Alumni Reunion also bring a large number of alumni back to campus, giving us the chance to interact with them informally and formally. Beyond events, alumni play a big role during placements by helping with mock interviews, domain prep, and sharing insights from their roles. These consistent interactions keep the IIFT alumni network very strong and accessible.

Careers360: Would you be interested in mentoring current students or participating in alumni activities?

Kartik Garg: Absolutely. I’ve already been actively involved as part of the preparation committee, helping juniors with their summer internship prep. I would be more than happy to continue mentoring students and contributing to alumni activities in the future as well.

Careers360: As a professional, how would you advise a student to plan a career, keeping in mind changes and upheavals in the industry?

Kartik Garg: My biggest advice is to stay adaptable and be open to unlearning and relearning. Industries keep changing, and the willingness to update your skills is what keeps you relevant. Treat AI as an enabler and use it to become more efficient and data-driven. Focus on building strong problem-solving skills, stay aware of industry trends, and actively seek mentorship. Careers today are built on agility, continuous learning, and the ability to evolve with the environment.

Careers360: Learning never ends for any professional. In this context, how do you think one should prepare for career advancement with value additions? How can students identify these areas?

Kartik Garg: For career advancement, keep adding value through continuous learning. Read books by experts in your field and follow domain specific magazines, newsletters and podcasts. Take short certification courses to build relevant skills and stay updated on new tools and technologies. Students can identify the right areas by reflecting on their internship experience, seeking feedback from mentors and tracking industry trends to see what skills are becoming essential.

Careers360: How likely are you to recommend this institution to those planning to pursue higher studies?

Kartik Garg: I would certainly recommend IIFT to anyone considering higher studies. The international business–focused curriculum, combined with industry interactions, port visits and live projects, adds a lot of real-world learning. The faculty is supportive, the alumni network is strong and placements are well organised. For anyone aiming to build a career in management, IIFT offers a genuinely solid and enriching platform.

Disclaimer: This content was distributed by IIFT Delhi and has been published as part of Careers360’s marketing initiative.