Should you join IIM Indore?
Caution: Readers' discretion is advised. The views expressed here are completely personal and the point of view expressed here will vary from individual to individual in the same batch. I am not responsible for any fall out arising out of your reading this post on this blog.
Someone asked me on my views on whether a new student should join IIM Indore given the batch size. Well, I will try to cover certain aspects that will throw some light for future applicants. Having spent two years here and more so because I am part of the first graduating batch of size 450, I have developed an understanding of things that work and that do not work at Planet-I. I believe that these views are more pertinent for people with 3 or more than 3 years of work exp but nonetheless these views are universal as well. Although, I believe that freshers have very little at stake in studying at an IIM, be it L,I K ,S or any of the new IIMs.
As far as the size of the batch is concerned, yes 450 is a huge batch size and it brings along its own set of challenges and opportunities. On one hand you will get to know more people, on the other hand there will always be a 'fight' for everything, from placements to girlfriends.
Let me first talk about about the academics. Before coming to IIM Indore, I had thought that in an IIM, I would get an opportunity to learn about management and that I would build a solid knowledge base. Well, if you think that you are coming here for learning then rest assured, you will feel disillusioned if not completely disappointed. Most of the teachers here are not the 'Harvard' type that you thought generally teach at IIMs, but I think that problem is with almost of the IIMs, maybe except A, B or C. But don't loose all hope, there are a couple of good professors in almost each stream. But believe me if you thought that Operations was what you wanted from this place, then I am sorry you will be disappointed. Well, there is a silver lining, if you are of the type who can chew and digest everything that is served then perhaps you will do well, but if faculty and teachers influence your level of interest in subjects then am sure you will find something in agreement with this post. And, oh yes, I forgot to mention, i am of the latter type.
So if you are not going to learn all that you had dreamed of then what should you look for? Did I hear Placements? Well, this is what most of us think why we come to an IIM. Those 8 digit fancy salaries!! Well, my seniors had a batch size of 240 and they graduated when the economy was in good health and things were looking bright. Most of them got excellent jobs, a 14 lpa average salary for a predominantly fresher batch was awesome placements. However for my batch summer placements was an eye opener and final placements has just reconfirmed that placing 450 is really not an easy job. Of the 450 people in the batch, i think only 50-60 people would have actually got the job of their choice. So definitely placements is not that you should have very high hopes on. Forget any international offers (other than a couple of those offered in Nigeria), if you get more than 15 lpa then you should be jumping with joy, you got the best out of the placements. And yes, all of you IT people with 3 or more than 3 years of experience will most probably end up in IT again.
So, if its not placements or learning then why should you come to an IIM?
Well, IIM is the precise reason why you should come to an IIM. Believe it or not, people( read recruiters for your 2nd job) outside have a good perception about the Brand IIM (thanks to A,B and C). Maybe 10 years down the line IIM Indore, and for that matter even IIM K, will have its alums in senior positions and hopefully they will start influencing recruitment. As the institute gains confidence in the eyes of the recruiters, even the alums who would be switching jobs then would get positive influence during their career switch. Perhaps this is why it takes atleast 20-25 years for an institute to develop and grow. Perhaps around that timeline things will start becoming easier for the students here, however this is subject to the batch size remaining the same. So, come to an IIM only for its brand name!! Brands do matter.
As far as the size of the batch is concerned, yes 450 is a huge batch size and it brings along its own set of challenges and opportunities. On one hand you will get to know more people, on the other hand there will always be a 'fight' for everything, from placements to girlfriends.
Let me first talk about about the academics. Before coming to IIM Indore, I had thought that in an IIM, I would get an opportunity to learn about management and that I would build a solid knowledge base. Well, if you think that you are coming here for learning then rest assured, you will feel disillusioned if not completely disappointed. Most of the teachers here are not the 'Harvard' type that you thought generally teach at IIMs, but I think that problem is with almost of the IIMs, maybe except A, B or C. But don't loose all hope, there are a couple of good professors in almost each stream. But believe me if you thought that Operations was what you wanted from this place, then I am sorry you will be disappointed. Well, there is a silver lining, if you are of the type who can chew and digest everything that is served then perhaps you will do well, but if faculty and teachers influence your level of interest in subjects then am sure you will find something in agreement with this post. And, oh yes, I forgot to mention, i am of the latter type.
So if you are not going to learn all that you had dreamed of then what should you look for? Did I hear Placements? Well, this is what most of us think why we come to an IIM. Those 8 digit fancy salaries!! Well, my seniors had a batch size of 240 and they graduated when the economy was in good health and things were looking bright. Most of them got excellent jobs, a 14 lpa average salary for a predominantly fresher batch was awesome placements. However for my batch summer placements was an eye opener and final placements has just reconfirmed that placing 450 is really not an easy job. Of the 450 people in the batch, i think only 50-60 people would have actually got the job of their choice. So definitely placements is not that you should have very high hopes on. Forget any international offers (other than a couple of those offered in Nigeria), if you get more than 15 lpa then you should be jumping with joy, you got the best out of the placements. And yes, all of you IT people with 3 or more than 3 years of experience will most probably end up in IT again.
So, if its not placements or learning then why should you come to an IIM?
Well, IIM is the precise reason why you should come to an IIM. Believe it or not, people( read recruiters for your 2nd job) outside have a good perception about the Brand IIM (thanks to A,B and C). Maybe 10 years down the line IIM Indore, and for that matter even IIM K, will have its alums in senior positions and hopefully they will start influencing recruitment. As the institute gains confidence in the eyes of the recruiters, even the alums who would be switching jobs then would get positive influence during their career switch. Perhaps this is why it takes atleast 20-25 years for an institute to develop and grow. Perhaps around that timeline things will start becoming easier for the students here, however this is subject to the batch size remaining the same. So, come to an IIM only for its brand name!! Brands do matter.
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