Know about IMI Kolkata from an alumnus: Interview with Ashutosh Sharma (2016-2018)

International Management Institute (IMI) Kolkata was India's first corporate-sponsored business school. As per the NIRF 2023 Rankings, IMI Kolkata has been placed 70th in the management category. IMI Kolkata offers postgraduate and doctoral level programmes like Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), Fellowship Programme in Management (FPM) and EFPM. Careers360 brings you an interview with Ashutosh Sharma, working for Reliance Industries Limited in the textile division as an international marketer. He is an PGDM alumni International Management Institute Kolkata. In his interview to Careers360, Ashutosh shares his experience at IMI Kolkata. What was life like at the institute? How did he choose the PGDM programme IMI Kolkata? And other things about the college like placements, internships, facilities, clubs & societies and more. To know more about International Management Institute Kolkata from an alumni perspective go through the complete interview of Ashutosh Sharma.

Careers360: Tell us about your domain and your work profile. At the professional level, did you pursue the same field you were interested in or you switched?

Answer: I work with Reliance Industries Limited in the textile division as an international marketer. I work in B2B marketing where I deal with Fashion retailers across the UK to fulfill their commercial needs. I studied Marketing as my major and secured a job in the same field.

Careers360: Can you briefly tell us about your career path so far?

Answer: Reliance Industries Limited is the first organisation I have worked with and so far I have learnt all the nitty gritty of International marketing and tactics to get the job done. Working very close to the production unit allowed me to understand the working of a production plant has given me exposure to the front and back door of the business.

Careers360: Is the Industry work different from what you learnt at IMI-K College?

Answer: College tries to create a simulation of the work that we are going to do during the job but the reality is always different from what we study in college. We are better prepared for the job with classroom learning.

Careers360: How do you think your time in college has added value to your life, both professional and personal?

Answer: During my time in IMI Kolkata I had the opportunity to learn a lot of things but one thing that I learnt which changed my perspective was that I will always be learning and it’s a never ending process.

Careers360: What was your initial thought process when you joined IMI-K College?

Answer: My initial thought while joining IMI-K was to use the two years as a stepping stone for my entry to the corporate world. Thankfully this course acted a lot more than that for me.

Careers360: You must have spent a memorable time at your IMI-K College. Do you miss being a part of it? Share a few good memories.

Answer: These two years were a mix of learning and fun. I miss my time spent in the hostel which was my home for those two years. Classroom presentations which made helped to be corporate ready.

Careers360: Briefly take us through your life at the campus, the activities you used to do and your routine life.

Answer: Life at campus involved a lot of classroom teaching which gave a mix of bookish and practical learning. In addition to the classes we had clubs and committees where I was actively involved in MarKreators-The Marketing club, Alcom- Alumni Committee and Bizzaffairs- Business Affairs club where I spent countless hours burning the midnight oil to plan activities/industrial visits and much more. Then came the hostel life where we used to enjoy with our friends (No Parties) ate and played. I miss playing badminton at 1 AM at night which we could only do at the campus.

Careers360: Apart from academics, what were the other activities you were involved in and how did it enrich your life?

Answer: I was actively involved in MarKreators-The Marketing club, Alcom- Alumni Committee and Bizzaffairs- Business Affairs club which helped me to learn how to handle a team of talented people and make them see a vision which was for the betterment of all the stakeholders. Finishing up projects within the given time period is something I learnt while I was given impossible deadlines and high expectations.

Careers360: How did you keep updated with the industrial requirements and what was the role of the institute in it?

Answer: Regular guest lectures from industrial experts, industrial visits and workshops by MarKreators were very helpful to give an insight as to what’s changing in the industry.

Careers360: You are a proud alumnus of this top College. What is the best part of IMI-K Institute from a student's perspective?

Answer: Student life at IMI-K has been enriching and fun at the same time and this institute has provided me with many opportunities and not just in terms of placement but many other spheres as well!

Careers360: What is your suggestion/ guidance for the PGDM aspirants?

Answer: Come to college with an open mind to learn everything this college has to offer, two years will pass on in a jiffy as this campus has 2 decades worth of learning to offer.

Disclaimer: This content was distributed by International Management Institute Kolkata and has been published as part of Careers360’s marketing initiative.