1. Can you introduce yourself briefly and share your background and what led you to enroll in this program in General Management?
Hi. I’m Gaurab Roy, a Medical Sciences PhD holder with six years of professional experience, split evenly between India and China. My background in medicine has instilled in me a deep commitment to continuous self-improvement.
My aspiration is to take charge of a laboratory or contribute to the medical industry, specifically focusing on advancing processes and the development of promising pharmaceuticals.
In this journey, I must navigate several essential elements, with the most vital being my team and financial stewardship.
Recognizing the need to refine my management skills, I embarked on a quest for the right education, and I discovered numerous institutions offering comprehensive management programs.
After careful consideration, I determined that XLRI stands out as the ideal institution for this transformative phase.
Though I haven’t personally attended XLRI courses, my connection to Jamshedpur has acquainted me with its sterling reputation. Over time, I’ve encountered many positive testimonials from individuals who have thrived through XLRI’s programs.
This esteemed reputation, coupled with my research, has firmly guided me to choose XLRI as the next pivotal step in my professional journey.
2. How has your experience been so far as a current student in the program? What are your initial impressions?
So far, the initial impression has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly when reflecting on the first module of our course.
This module was primarily dedicated to the development of leadership qualities and was skillfully led by Professor Sarangi and Professor Shukla. Their guidance revolved around the cultivation of personal qualities and character, with a strong emphasis on empathy and understanding others’ perspectives.
Managing a team, we learned, extends far beyond issuing orders and expecting compliance; it involves a deep appreciation of everyone’s emotions and a collective effort toward unity.
Through these enlightening classes, we imbibed the art of respecting others’ feelings, fostering robust team cohesion, and undertaking the introspective journey of self-improvement. Effective communication emerged as a pivotal theme in these sessions, which were remarkably pragmatic and endowed with valuable insights.
Moreover, we were tasked with practical exercises that proved to be exceptionally beneficial. These assignments demanded the application of the knowledge and skills we had acquired to real-world situations or thought-provoking scenarios closely mirroring genuine challenges. They were instrumental in enhancing our learning experience.
What’s more, our professors consistently motivate us to take proactive steps. Furthermore, they encourage open communication by dedicating time to discuss assignments in class.
Impressively, they generously provide their contact numbers and email addresses, extending an invitation to approach them for clarification or assistance in case we miss anything during class or encounter any issues.
They assure us of their accessibility and exemplify their courtesy and consideration by even offering to return our calls if missed. This level of support has been wholeheartedly embraced by many of our peers who have already leveraged this opportunity to engage in one-on-one discussions and resolve their doubts with the professors.
3. Can you share your short-term and long-term goals related to General Management and how this program is helping you achieve them?
Presently, I am pursuing the acquisition of managerial skills because I firmly believe that a blend of technical and managerial proficiencies is crucial for my professional growth and ascent up the organizational hierarchy in my chosen role.
In the immediate future, my objective is to take on leadership responsibilities, such as managing a laboratory or assuming managerial roles in esteemed companies, particularly those operating within the medical science sector—examples include prominent organizations like Bharat Biotech and CIPLA.
I am resolute in my belief that a firm grasp of management intricacies, when combined with my existing technical acumen and further refinement of my technical skills, will be a significant driving force behind the realization of these aspirations.
4. How do you envision your future in this field once you complete the program? What opportunities or career paths are you considering?
Currently, the prospect of envisioning the future presents a complex challenge as it remains an ongoing learning journey. Nevertheless, I hold a firm belief that this program will furnish me with a more robust foundation, particularly in the context of India’s service-based industry.
The managerial expertise and knowledge I gain through this course will assume a central role in the formation of a cohesive team. Once this team is established, we can collectively dedicate ourselves to shaping and actualizing the vision my company holds and the objectives I’ve set for my team.
I perceive this program as exceptionally advantageous since it will empower me with the requisite knowledge and competencies for team establishment and leadership. This foundational step in team formation, I recognize, lays the groundwork for subsequent phases, including company growth.
In essence, I regard this program as the pivotal initial stride in transitioning from a technical role to a managerial one.
5. What advice would you give to individuals who are considering joining this program but are still unsure?
In my view, I hold a strong conviction that anyone aspiring to advance within their industry’s hierarchy should seriously consider enrolling in managerial training.
As rightly pointed out, the current challenge lies in the abundance of institutes in India offering courses that, while sometimes bearing slightly different names, contain remarkably similar content.
My recommendation would be to conduct a thorough evaluation of the courses and the reputations of the institutions, ultimately choosing a well-regarded establishment. XLRI stands out for several compelling reasons.
It has consistently maintained its position among India’s top business schools over an extended period. While I may be somewhat partial, this fact has been ingrained in my awareness since my early years.
Another substantial consideration is cost, which significantly resonates with most Indian learners. XLRI strikes an excellent balance between competitive pricing and the delivery of high-quality education.
A comparison of general management courses at XLRI with those offered by prestigious institutions such as IIMs A, B, or C reveals that XLRI’s fee structure is approximately half of what you’d find elsewhere. Furthermore, upon scrutinizing the course content, you’ll likely discern substantial similarities.
XLRI offers additional advantages, such as unique features like boardroom discussions & immersive campus programs. These are facets that often distinguish XLRI from other programs.
Most courses typically culminate with a single capstone project, and that’s it. I firmly believe that the inclusion of boardroom discussions and these distinctive elements endow XLRI’s program with a distinctive competitive edge.
However, ultimately, individuals with work experience will engage in comparisons among programs and select the one that best aligns with their specific needs. In my assessment, these are the competitive advantages that cast XLRI in a brighter light within the sphere of managerial education.
