IIM Calcutta IIMC PGPex MBA for Executives

[MBACrystalBall]

Ashish Rastogi kicked it off in style on our site with a blog post on IIMC PGPex for Executives | 1 year MBA at IIM Calcutta.

If you have always wanted to have a top IIM brand on your resume, but the CAT and mouse game for their regular 2 year MBA was a downer, then fikar not. Their 1 year MBA for Executives (not to be confused with an Executive MBA) might be a good option to consider.

The helpful current student community from IIMC PGPex has offered to share experiences during the program and to answer queries from prospective students.

Ashish bhai, over to you and your PGPex buddies to liven it up here.

First question from my side. How does a typical day at IIMC PGPex go?

[iimcpgpex]

Our classes usually start at 8:30 or 10:15 AM and go on until 5:30 in the evening. Majority of the courses follow a mix of case-based discussions and theoretical learning. One is expected to complete all the pre-reading assignments in order to make sense of what's being taught or discussed in the class. Quite often we have project or case presentations also that require multiple rounds of analysis, discussions and preparations. Such presentations are mostly group-based.

In between classes, students find time to work on their CV's, research for their internships or catch up with peers. After attending around 4 to 5 classes everyday, PGPex students take some time to relax. The evening tea-time gives us some breather. After that, while some head out to the gym, a few go running or swimming. Some catch up on lost sleep with quick power naps, just to be ready for the grueling night ahead. It is often challenging to decide whether to read through what was taught or to prepare for the next day or to complete the assignment for the next upcoming deadline. We sometimes wonder if there would be a surprise quiz the next day and think of god.

Amidst all this harakiri, one can always find time to participate in a student club meeting or a club event that typically stretch from late evenings to late nights. Then there's the hot cup of tea at 1 AM or the sumptuous aloo paranthas at 3 AM in the night canteen, coupled with the fun-tastic discussions on life, ideas, and beyond! Such things can only be experienced than said.

All in all, it is fun to be a part of IIM Calcutta. Just wish there were more than 24 hours in a day

[iimcpgpex]

Those interested in applying to the IIM Calcutta PGPex Program could check the below link:

http://programslive.iimcal.ac.in/pgpex/ ... n-schedule

There is still some time before the final deadline date. Any questions, please ask.

Thanks!

[hatter]

I have a question regarding the course. Is this a general management course or will is there a specialization at the end of the line? if there is a specialization, when does it kick in?

[hatter]

I have a question regarding the course. Is this a general management course or will is there a specialization at the end of the line? if there is a specialization, when does it kick in?

I think i found an answer to my previous question. I believe PGPex is a general management course. This brings me to another question.

Are all the placements for general management positions or are the placements for specialized posts? Are they any key areas IIMC is famous for catering to in terms of placements?

For example, if someone had a specific interest in strategic planning and management how would the IIMC PGPex help him realize this goals.

[iimcpgpex]

Yes, you are correct. PGPex is open for applicants with 5 or more years of experience. It is a general management program and allows you to understand facets of management - Operations, Marketing, Strategy, Finance, Systems, Economics etc. Of course there are no concentrations or specializations offered in the program, but one can take a majority of electives in a particular field, say Marketing or Finance, and get more broader exposure in that particular area.

To quote an example, Corporate Finance is taught to everyone but a specialized financial subjects such as Derivatives or Valuation are offered as an elective. Same holds true for other areas as well. Electives start from Term 4 onwards, which is half way through the program.

Placements vary as per the interests of the participants. It is a direct function of one's incoming experience and career interests. Participants with more years of experience generally target Director, VP, General Manager, Product Manager, Head or Principal level roles, while those with relatively lower experience levels target IT and Business Consulting, Business Development, Program Manager kind of roles. Roles offered can be in General Management as well as across other functions. Career switches are possible but one cannot easily become an I-Banker after being an IT Manager for 10 years, or for that matter get into FMCG sales after 12 years in hard core Automotive design.

Many candidates get into Strategy roles across IT and Non-IT (Reliance, Tata etc) companies. Some PGPex'ers have also secured core finance roles in banks and financial agencies. Do check out the recruiter and placement details on the IIM Calcutta PGPex website.

Hope I answered your question.

I have a question regarding the course. Is this a general management course or will is there a specialization at the end of the line? if there is a specialization, when does it kick in?

I think i found an answer to my previous question. I believe PGPex is a general management course. This brings me to another question.

Are all the placements for general management positions or are the placements for specialized posts? Are they any key areas IIMC is famous for catering to in terms of placements?

For example, if someone had a specific interest in strategic planning and management how would the IIMC PGPex help him realize this goals.

[hatter]

Thanks for the very detailed response. It answered my question and more. However, I have a couple of more questions though.
1. when ure saying people with more experience, how much is more?
i will have 9 years 7 months of experience (at the time of joining), 4 years 7 months of which are as a project manager in IT services. I am almost at average experience as per the stats. So would a person with my experience target a program manager role or a higher role? What is the trend for someone with my experience?
2. I have entrepreneurial aspirations. However, I think I first need a function change before I can think of entrepreneurship. What kind of support is available for entrepreneurship at IIMC? would you say that encouraging enterprise is the IIMC USP?

[iimcpgpex]

Depth and breadth of experience counts. Along with that, number of years of experience does play a role in targeting senior level management positions. I am not an expert and it won't be fair for me to comment on individual profiles but I can say that the roles anyone would target would solely depend on individual preferences (future role, company/industry, location, salary etc.). So the greater the experience, the better the chances of targeting a senior level position. But for someone wanting to switch functional areas, that desired role might come at a lower than expected compensation.

Some folks I know at your experience levels and similar backgrounds have found opportunities across General Management, Corporate Strategy, Marketing and Business Development. Many PGPex alums have also turned entrepreneurs. IIM Calcutta has an active Entrepreneurship Cell and its largely upto the individual on how he networks and engages in pushing his ideas through to the faculty or VCs for implementation. Having said that, given the strong alumni network IIM Calcutta has, one can definitely leverage the expertise of alums to promote an entrepreneurial venture.

Thanks for the very detailed response. It answered my question and more. However, I have a couple of more questions though.
1. when ure saying people with more experience, how much is more?
i will have 9 years 7 months of experience (at the time of joining), 4 years 7 months of which are as a project manager in IT services. I am almost at average experience as per the stats. So would a person with my experience target a program manager role or a higher role? What is the trend for someone with my experience?
2. I have entrepreneurial aspirations. However, I think I first need a function change before I can think of entrepreneurship. What kind of support is available for entrepreneurship at IIMC? would you say that encouraging enterprise is the IIMC USP?

[kanika babbar]

Hi,

I will be completing 5 yrs of work experience in IT in Jan next year.I have always wanted to pursue MBA but somehow have been unable to do so.I am an Engineer with MS from BITS pilani.

I am contemplating taking this course next year.However,I am not sure if my experience is enough to reap all the benefits from this course or should i get more experience then try later on.I have checked the average work experience of the batches of this course and it is 8-9 yrs.So I am afraid if I will be getting job opportunities at my level when the course ends???

Your reply is eagerly awaited.

Much thanks,
Kanika

[iimcpgpex]

Hi Kanika

IIM Calcutta PGPEX program allows students with 5 or more years of professional experience to participate. The current batch has around 13 participants in the experience range of 5 to 7 years, with a few being in the 5-6 year experience range. You should be eligible to apply for PGPEX next year. The decision to pursue an MBA now or later is entirely your personal decision. If you want to gain more experience in your current field of work, and intend to continue with general management roles later on, then you can apply in a few years. However, if you are planning to make a career or function shift, then doing next year might be a good option. Job opportunities exist at all levels, be assured. Due to the smaller batch size advantage, and the reputation IIM Calcutta enjoys amongst the recruiters, that should be the least of your worries. Hope it helps.

Thanks!

Hi,

I will be completing 5 yrs of work experience in IT in Jan next year.I have always wanted to pursue MBA but somehow have been unable to do so.I am an Engineer with MS from BITS pilani.

I am contemplating taking this course next year.However,I am not sure if my experience is enough to reap all the benefits from this course or should i get more experience then try later on.I have checked the average work experience of the batches of this course and it is 8-9 yrs.So I am afraid if I will be getting job opportunities at my level when the course ends???

Your reply is eagerly awaited.

Much thanks,
Kanika