The Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM) in Mumbai offers several advantages to its students. According to a report, the highest salary package for the 2022 batch at SJMSOM was approximately 49.39% higher than the previous year, at INR 49 LPA. The average salary for the 2020-2022 batch was also 18.1% higher than the previous year, at INR 25.9 LPA.

SJMSOM attracts highly prestigious companies for recruitment, including JP Morgan, ICICI Bank, Infosys Consulting, KPMG Global Services, PwC India, Wipro, and MAQ Software, among others. The smaller batch size at SJMSOM allows for more opportunities for students to participate in activities and committees, promoting their holistic development.

SJMSOM also offers a high number of live projects and industry interaction sessions, providing students with knowledge and experience beyond what is found in textbooks. When considering SJMSOM as an option, students may also be considering other institutes such as IIM K or IIM I. It is worth noting that while IIM Trichy is a good college, new IIMs may still be in the process of establishing themselves.

Among these colleges, IIFT Kolkata or MDI will be better for Finance. According to MDI Gurgaon placements 2022 record, BFSI, and E-Commerce sectors had placement rates of 22% and 13%. During 2021 placement drive, 55 students from MDI were placed in the Finance sector. The highest CTC offered in this sector was INR 21-23 LPA. 

You can also consider IIFT Kolkata. It offers similar opportunities as IIFT Delhi, in the Finance sector. During IIFT Kolkata Summer placements 2021, the top recruiting sector was BFSI. 

MDI will be a better option for all specializations, except Operations. If you are interested in Operations, IIT Bombay is much better. MDI Gurgaon placements are excellent. Big names such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and BCG have visited the campus placements. The 2022 placement drive had an average CTC of INR 26.65 LPA. 

MDI offers the best placement in the finance domain after IIM A, B, C, FMS, and XLRI. JP, HSBC, Nomura, Stanchart, etc. are some of the major recruiters from the finance sector. 

MDI placement records for Marketing are good as well. HUL, Coke, Pepsi, and P&G are some significant recruiters from the marketing sector. 

My cousin recently graduated from SJMSOM and has begun working at Fidelity Investments as a Delivery Manager for almost 3 years now. He suggests going for SJMSOM only if, 

• You essentially prefer studying amidst a comparably smaller batch size.
• You further want to be at the Financial Capital, for either internships or job purposes.
• You prefer going for the best infrastructure and basic amenities.
• You can enjoy the brand value likewise.

You can opt for IIM Indore only if you prefer the following,

• You are confident that you can compete and stand out with a larger batch. 
• You will receive the major brand value that comes along with IIMs.
• You want to secure a seat at one of the best management institutes.
• However, the placements of either institute are somewhat similar, with relevant recruiters visiting both campuses occasionally during placement seasons.
• Both the institutes offer exchange opportunities as per schedule.

Here is a brief overview of both SJMSOM and IIM Indore. 

Both institutes are reputed so take a call based on your personal preference. 

From a placement perspective, companies often prefer candidates with experience in manufacturing or construction, or a related field. This has been observed by some of the students, who had difficulty securing their desired operations jobs. However, it is worth noting that there are also opportunities available for those who do not have such closely related experience.

SJMSOM may be a better choice for those interested in operations than IIM Shillong. Some may argue that the IIM brand carries more weight in the long term, but once an individual has been placed and has gained sufficient experience, it is their track record that truly matters. It is recommended to speak with current students at the school of interest, avoiding the public relations committee as they may be biased, to better understand placement prospects for a particular profile. This can help inform the decision of where to pursue an MBA.

When considering which business school to attend, it's important to weigh your options carefully and choose the one that best aligns with your personal and professional goals. Here is a summary of three business schools and some key factors to consider when making your decision:

• SJMSOM: Established in 1995, this business school has a relatively small batch size of 110 students, which means less competition for placements in good companies. The average salary package is around INR 25 lakh per year, although this may vary depending on various factors. SJMSOM has the best return on investment (ROI) compared to the other two schools. It also has the advantage of being located in Powai and being affiliated with IIT Bombay. If you have strong skills in math and statistics, this might be a good option for you.
• MDI Gurgaon: Established in 1973, this is a well-respected private business school that attracts a wide range of major and marquee firms for campus recruitment. However, the competition for placements is tough due to the large batch size. The fees for this program are around INR 21.4 lakh per year, and the average salary package is around INR 23 lakh per year. One advantage of this business school is its location.
• IIM Shillong: Established in 2008, this business school has a batch size that is smaller than MDI but larger than SJSOM. The fees are lower than those of MDI, at around INR 19 lakh per year. While top consulting firms have started hiring from IIM Shillong, the location may be a disadvantage for some candidates.

If you are considering attending a top 20 college in India and are looking for a competitive atmosphere, good infrastructure, a strong alumni network, and high salaries upon graduation, then IITB SJMSOM may be the better choice. However, it's worth noting that some of the courses offered at newer IIMs, such as IIM Trichy or IIM Ranchi's HR program, have gained a lot of recognition in recent years. While these institutes may not yet have the same level of prestige or alumni network as IITB, they should not be underestimated.

It's important to remember that salary outcomes are largely dependent on individual performance in business school. Even if you attend a younger IIM, you may still be offered a lower salary than a top-performing student at IITB if your results are not as strong. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your personal priorities and the specific programs and resources offered at each institution.