In Conversation with Rasik Mathur, MBA Alumnus of Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS), Faridabad was established in 2008. MRIIRS Faridabad has received approval from the UGC. MRIIRS Faridabad is one of the educational institutions run by Manav Rachna. MRIIRS Faridabad was rated as 'A++' by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

Careers360 brings an interview with Vikas Sachdeva, alumnus of MRIIRS Faridabad, who is now Director-Demand at Awign. He shares details about his career progression, memorable experiences, and the course pursued. 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.

Rasik Mathur: I currently serve as the Director – Demand at Awign and completed my MBA from Manav Rachna International University in 2012. I chose the institution because of its industry-oriented curriculum, experienced faculty, and its growing reputation for providing students with practical exposure alongside academic learning.

What particularly appealed to me was the university’s emphasis on holistic development, professional grooming, and career readiness. I felt that the institution’s approach aligned well with my professional aspirations, as it encouraged students not only to focus on academics, but also to develop the confidence, skills, and industry understanding required to succeed in the corporate world.

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

Rasik Mathur: My experience at the institution was shaped less by isolated moments and more by the consistency of exposure, interaction, and learning that happened over time. What stood out to me was that the environment never restricted students to academics alone. There was always room to participate, question, interact, and observe how things worked beyond textbooks.

During my MBA journey, I found myself constantly engaging with different perspectives, through classroom discussions, peer interactions, presentations, industry exposure, and collaborative work. Over time, these experiences naturally made me more confident in expressing my thoughts, understanding different perspectives, and approaching situations with a more practical and balanced mindset.

I also deeply appreciated how approachable and industry-aware the faculty members were. Many conversations went far beyond the syllabus and often included practical insights about careers, professional life, and real-world challenges, which made learning feel far more meaningful and relatable. At the same time, being surrounded by peers with different ambitions, personalities, and backgrounds created an environment where learning happened organically every single day. Looking back, I feel those interactions and experiences quietly shaped my confidence, perspective, and overall personality in a very significant way.

Also See: MRIIRS Admissions

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

Rasik Mathur: What I appreciated most about the MBA curriculum was that learning never felt confined to textbooks or theory alone. While the program gave me a strong understanding of management concepts, strategic thinking, and business communication, it also constantly encouraged us to think about how these ideas actually function in real business environments.

Personally, a significant part of my learning came through case studies, presentations, discussions, and projects where we were regularly encouraged to analyze situations, exchange perspectives, and think practically rather than academically alone. Over time, these experiences naturally made me more confident in expressing ideas, understanding business challenges, and approaching decisions with greater clarity and structure.

Looking back today, I genuinely feel that the curriculum made my transition into the corporate world much smoother. It not only gave me conceptual understanding, but also helped me develop the confidence to communicate effectively, collaborate with people, and handle responsibilities in professional environments with a more practical and balanced approach.

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

Rasik Mathur: I always appreciated how the institution actively encouraged industry interaction through internships, live projects, seminars, guest lectures, and various engagement opportunities that gave us practical exposure beyond classroom learning.

For me personally, these experiences were extremely valuable because they allowed us to understand real industry perspectives, observe actual business challenges, and witness practical problem-solving approaches firsthand. One such memorable experience was the industry exposure we received through opportunities to attend and engage with media events organized by IBN7, which gave us a closer glimpse into the professional environment and industry culture.

Experiences like these helped me connect academic concepts with real corporate expectations and played an important role in developing a more grounded, confident, and industry-aware mindset before stepping into professional life.

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

Rasik Mathur: For me, participation in extracurricular activities and campus events became much more than just involvement beyond academics, it became an important part of my personal evolution during university life. Some of my most meaningful lessons came not from textbooks, but from experiences that placed me in unfamiliar situations, challenged my comfort zone, and pushed me to interact, lead, collaborate, and grow.

I had the opportunity to spearhead several cultural events during my time at the institution and also organize the UTKARSH Fest consecutively in 2010 and 2011. Those experiences were not just about managing events; they taught me how to work with people, handle pressure, coordinate teams, and adapt to constantly changing situations. Gradually, I became more confident in expressing myself, more comfortable working with diverse groups, and more capable of taking ownership of responsibilities. Every event, interaction, and opportunity added something valuable to my personality, whether it was communication, adaptability, leadership, or simply the ability to understand people better.

Looking back, I feel those moments contributed immensely to shaping who I am today. They helped me grow not only as a professional, but also as an individual with greater confidence, perspective, and emotional maturity.

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

Rasik Mathur: What I really appreciated about the campus was that it never felt rigid or restrictive. The environment was very student-friendly, with good infrastructure, comfortable classrooms, accessible resources, and spaces where students could genuinely interact, collaborate, and spend time learning beyond academics as well.

More than the infrastructure itself, it was the overall atmosphere that stood out to me. The campus always felt active and full of energy, with different activities, events, interactions, and opportunities happening throughout the year. There was a natural culture of participation and involvement, which made university life feel engaging and memorable rather than routine.

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

Rasik Mathur: I felt the placement cell genuinely made an effort to connect students with the right industry opportunities and prepare them for the transition into the corporate world. Regular recruitment drives, career guidance sessions, and interactions with industry professionals helped students understand what companies were actually looking for beyond academics. In fact, I secured an internship opportunity at TCS and placement avenue at Naukri.com through the placement support.

What I personally found valuable was the practical exposure around interviews, communication, and understanding workplace expectations. It gave students a clearer sense of direction and helped many of us approach placements with more confidence and preparedness.

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

Rasik Mathur: My MBA journey played a defining role in shaping the professional I gradually evolved into. Beyond academics, it helped me develop a deeper understanding of business, leadership, decision-making, and the human side of managing people and teams. It gave me the ability to look at situations more strategically while also understanding the importance of communication, adaptability, and perspective in the corporate world.

Over the years, I realized that the experience had quietly built a sense of confidence within me, the confidence to take ownership, navigate challenges, and grow into larger responsibilities. Looking back, I feel the MBA did not just strengthen my business acumen; it helped shape the mindset and leadership approach that became instrumental in my professional growth and journey into senior leadership roles.

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

Rasik Mathur: Some of the most valuable skills I developed during my time at the institution were communication, analytical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability. While at the time these may have seemed like gradual learnings through projects, presentations, teamwork, and everyday experiences, I realized over the years how deeply relevant they became in my professional journey.

Today, in my role, these skills continue to play an important part in the way I approach business, work with teams, solve challenges, and drive growth. More importantly, the experience taught me how to stay adaptable in dynamic environments and approach situations with both clarity and perspective.

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

Rasik Mathur: There were phases during my university journey when everything seemed to overlap at once, academics, projects, deadlines, events, responsibilities, and expectations. At times, it felt exhausting trying to give equal attention to every commitment while still attempting to stay consistent and focused.

But somewhere within that chaos, I learned some of my most valuable lessons. I learned how to function under pressure, how to prioritize what truly mattered, and how to keep moving even on days when things felt overwhelming. Those years quietly built a sense of discipline and resilience within me that I probably would not have developed in a more comfortable environment. Looking back now, I feel those demanding phases shaped me just as much as the smoother ones did.

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

Rasik Mathur: I still stay connected with the institution through LinkedIn, alumni interactions, and university events whenever I get the opportunity. Over the years, these connections have remained valuable not just from a professional standpoint, but also on a personal level.

A lot of conversations now naturally revolve around industry experiences, career journeys, and how different people have evolved in their respective fields. It is always interesting to reconnect with people who started from the same campus and see where life and work have taken them over time.

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

Rasik Mathur: Absolutely. I feel there comes a point in every professional journey where sharing experiences becomes just as meaningful as achieving milestones yourself. If something I have learned, whether through successes, mistakes, or real-world experiences, can help a student navigate their path with a little more clarity or confidence, I would genuinely value that opportunity.

For me, alumni engagement is not just about staying connected to an institution; it is about staying connected to a phase of life that shaped you. Being able to return in some capacity, interact with students, exchange perspectives, and contribute to their journey would always feel personally fulfilling.”

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

Rasik Mathur: One thing I strongly feel students should understand early on is that careers today are rarely linear. The professional world is evolving so rapidly that the ability to adapt often becomes far more important than trying to follow a perfectly predefined path.

Personally, I believe students should focus on building depth in the way they think rather than only chasing immediate outcomes. Over time, qualities like clear communication, independent problem-solving, technological understanding, and the ability to work well with people become incredibly valuable, regardless of the industry or role one eventually chooses.

At the same time, I feel it is equally important to give yourself the freedom to explore. Many times, the experiences, interests, or opportunities that initially seem unrelated eventually shape your career in the most unexpected and meaningful ways. In my view, staying curious, open-minded, flexible, and willing to evolve is what truly helps individuals grow in the long run.

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?

Rasik Mathur: If I had to give one personal piece of advice, I would say-never become too comfortable with what you already know. The people who continue to grow professionally are usually the ones who stay curious even after achieving stability. Over time, you naturally start understanding which areas excite you, where your skills fit best, and what value additions you need to make. I think growth comes less from chasing titles and more from continuously evolving yourself as a person.

I have come to strongly believe over the years that growth in today’s world can never be static. The professional landscape evolves far too quickly, and the people who continue to thrive are usually the ones who remain willing to learn, adapt, and reinvent themselves consistently. For me, continuous learning is not just about acquiring certifications or adding credentials, it is about staying intellectually curious and consciously exposing yourself to new ideas, people, industries, and experiences. Whether through industry interactions, networking, practical exposure, mentorship, or hands-on learning, every experience adds another layer to your perspective and professional maturity. I also feel students should spend time understanding where industries are headed rather than only focusing on conventional definitions of success. Paying attention to market shifts, identifying emerging skill gaps, learning from experienced professionals, and honestly evaluating one’s own strengths and limitations can help create far more meaningful long-term growth.

In many ways, careers today are shaped less by a single qualification and more by one’s ability to continuously evolve with changing times.

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

Rasik Mathur: I would genuinely recommend the institution to aspiring students because, in my experience, it offered a much more balanced and holistic journey than I had initially expected. Beyond academics, it gave students exposure, opportunities, experiences, and an environment that encouraged growth at both a professional and personal level.

What I personally valued was that the university never felt limited to classrooms alone. There was always scope to interact, participate, experiment, and evolve through different experiences, whether through industry exposure, peer learning, extracurricular involvement, or mentorship from faculty members. Over time, these experiences collectively helped shape confidence, perspective, and professional readiness.

Looking back, I feel the institution provided a strong platform that allowed students to discover their own direction while gradually preparing them for the realities of professional life. For students who are willing to stay curious, involved, and open to learning, the environment offers immense scope to grow and build something meaningful for themselves.

Disclaimer: This article is published as a marketing initiative between MRIIRS Faridabad and Careers360.