By H. Karan Kumar | Dr. Taran Kaur
The right B-school not only paves the road for a brilliant profession, but also plays an essential role in molding a person’s character, beliefs, and opinions, consequently shaping his or her life for the future. With admissions to numerous B-schools in full swing, students must investigate an institution’s various features before deciding on one. Studying in a B-school is an enormous expenditure of time, money, and energy, therefore it is critical that you choose a business school that suits your needs.
Follow the tips below to find the best management college for you:
1. Student Community:
Look through the profile of students at the university in terms of professional experience, gender, and cultural background. These diverse individuals also contribute to your learning apart from forming your network. Find out how active the alumni group is, as you may want to draw on this network in the near future. This network can provide invaluable career information and help raise funds for your start-up.
IILM is proud to have a network of over 9000+ alumni, placed both domestically and abroad, that have risen to high ranks over the years. These individuals are invited to interact with students and motivate them through guest lectures. Some also go on to become mentors to the students, providing them with first-hand knowledge and experienced advice. Annual alumni meetings are organized on campus, which is an excellent networking opportunity for alumni and current students.
2. Academic Community:
Find out about the faculty’s enriching profile in terms of experience and achievements which reflects on their caliber and whether they will provide you with an in-depth understanding of a firm or sector. In addition, do research on the school’s teaching pedagogies, such as case studies and consulting projects with businesses.
3. Global Experience:
Employers often seek international experience and there are plenty of options to broaden your horizons. Seek colleges that offer study abroad programs or colleges that have overseas partnerships.
In keeping with the needs of the ever-globalizing world, IILM organizes a 4-week global study program in Germany, France, Canada, Finland, and Spain, where students are given an opportunity to develop their outlook through industry visits and diverse cultural immersion.
4. Facilities and Resources:
Evaluate the college’s infrastructural facilities, library resources, technology, and other learning tools. A well-equipped campus can enhance your learning experience. Choosing a poor B-School can ruin your career tangent and you may lose a lot of opportunities due to a lack of the right resources.
5. Extracurricular Activities:
Check for opportunities to participate in clubs, organizations, competitions, and other extracurricular activities that align with your interests. It not only fosters creativity, collaboration, and personal growth in students, but also provides opportunities for students to pursue their passions, develop their skills, and create a vibrant campus environment. This is the one point that most of the time goes unnoticed but along with efficient academics having a good extracurricular environment can uplift your B-School Experience by multifolds.
6. Industry Connections and Networking:
Placements are a critical milestone in every student’s academic journey. It is a platform where students can come together, share their experiences, gain valuable insights, and work collectively to enhance their employability. A strong business school should have connections with industry professionals, guest speakers, alumni, and corporate partners. These B-schools organise resume-building workshops, mock interviews, career counseling sessions, guest lectures by industry experts, networking events with alumni, and access to job listings and internship opportunities. Networking opportunities can be crucial for your future career prospects that may create opportunities for internships, mentorship programs, and industry collaborations.
7. Student Diversity:
Consider the class size and the diversity of the student body. Interacting with students from different backgrounds can broaden your perspectives. Don’t be afraid of going into a unique environment, break your comfort zone because that’s the key to growing.
8. Cost and Financial Aid:
Evaluate the total cost of the program, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. Research scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options.
9. Flexibility:
Consider whether the program offers options for part-time, full-time, online, or executive formats, depending on your personal and professional commitments.
Why IILM:
The IILM faculty members come from leading institutions across the country and are known to be knowledge creators who rigorously pursue research in their fields. The curriculum taught at IILM is benchmarked against the best in the world. It includes Field Courses (as at Harvard), Career Trek (as at Wharton), and Community Experience (as at Yale). Besides this, the 3-month long summer internship and accompanying workshops acquaint students with the demands of the professional world.