Question 1

What courses should I do before pursuing an MBA at IIM Sambalpur if I have an interest in finance and marketing?

Accepted Answer

It is completely normal to have an interest in both finance and marketing, as they are both important and widely applicable areas of business. To explore your interest in finance, there are many short, introductory courses available on platforms like Udemy that can be completed at a relatively low cost, such as for no more than INR 500. Additionally, you can read basic finance books from any commerce background to gain a solid foundation in the subject. Similarly, for marketing, there are many courses available on platforms like Udemy, as well as other sites. However, it is worth considering that pursuing an MBA program with a fresh mind and an open outlook for many possibilities may be beneficial for gaining a comprehensive understanding of marketing.

In addition to gaining specialized knowledge in finance and marketing, it is also important to have a good understanding of MS Excel and Powerpoint. These skills are widely used in the business world and will be beneficial for any professional in any vertical or specialization.

Question 2

I have converted to IIM Kashipur but already paid 1 term fee at IIM Sambalpur (no refund). What should I do?

Accepted Answer

When considering whether or not to pay around 170K for the first term at IIM Sambalpur, it is important to consider the potential financial loss and weigh it against the potential benefits.

In terms of placements, it is true that IIM Kashipur may have an upper edge, however, it is important to note that this difference will likely only make a significant impact on the top 10% of the batch. For the majority of students, the placements at both IIM Sambalpur and IIM Kashipur will likely be similar. Additionally, when considering future entitlements, it is important to remember that both IIM Kashipur and IIM Sambalpur are relatively new institutes, so the location may not hold as much value in the long term as building a strong personal profile.

It is ultimately up to you to decide whether or not you are willing to potentially lose the money, and if so, to not stress about it too much. On the other hand, if you are not willing to potentially lose the money, it is also important not to regret the decision in the long run.

Question 3

Is it worth to do Post graduation from IIM Sambalpur?

Accepted Answer

Whether Post Graduation from IIM Sambalpur is worth it or not depends solely on what you want from your MBA and your career interests.

For instance, if you are already prospering in your current workplace, pursuing MBA is not worth the time and fees you will spend. The MBA degree will add no value to your profile so it’s better for you to keep working. I have seen many people forgoing offers from IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, and XLRI mainly because they are certain the MBA degree will add no value to their career and is just a waste of time and money.

While choosing any B School be it IIM Sambalpur or any other B School, you need to check if an MBA degree will help you escalate your career or if you will just end up with a hefty loan to repay and no career upgrade.

Coming to IIM Sambalpur specifically, I don’t think a person who is prospering at his current job and wants to do MBA just for the sake of it will want to join IIM Sambalpur. The MBA degree from that institute specifically adds no value at all to his profile. In other cases, you can think of joining IIM Sambalpur.

Question 4

Which program is better, PGP HRM at IIM Indore or PGPM at IIM Sambalpur?

Accepted Answer

A specific program at one IIM cannot be compared to a general program at another IIM.

In any case, you shouldn't think about enrolling in a course at IIM Sambalpur. It is too recent and has no prior performance. Additionally, given its location, it won't even draw in top faculty. Instead of IIM Sambalpur, you would be much better off attending some high-quality non-IIM colleges.

The best institute for HR professionals is currently XLRI, followed by TISS, Mumbai. Considering that IIMI is one of the top IIMs and has a brand-new HR program, your learning and employment prospects are both promising. However, make sure you enjoy HR. It is practically impossible to later switch out of HR once you are in it.