Prasanth, a software engineer, is recently accepted by the MIM program of ESSEC business school. After a couple of internships, Prasanth wanted to start his management education, so he decided to apply for the MIM program.
In a video interview with Poonam of MER, Prasanth talks about:
- His background,
- Career aspirations
- Application strategy
- The challenges he faced during the application process,
- His ‘fit ‘with the MIM program of ESSEC Business School
Poonam: Congratulations! You have recently been accepted by the MIM program of ESSEC business school. How does it feel?
Prasanth: Thank you so much, ma’am! It feels so surreal! I have so many feelings, all at the same time. I’m really happy and excited that I’ve made it to ESSEC. At the same time, I’m also concerned about the journey that lies ahead of me. I’m sure that this would be a great and transforming experience for me, one that I’ll never forget.
Poonam: Sure. Can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from? Where and what did you study as an undergrad? What do you do now?
Prasanth: Sure, ma’am. I was born and brought up in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where I studied up to 10th grade. I was always inquisitive and at the top of my class. In 2011, I moved to Hyderabad to complete my class XI and XII. Afterward, I pursued B. Tech in CSE from GITAM University, and in 2017, I graduated with first-class with distinction and with a CGPA of 9.19/10.
While pursuing my undergraduate studies, I worked with organizations such as Microsoft and Mozilla as a student partner and ambassador by organizing various technical events and contributing and sharing my ideas with student partners like me from around the world. During that time, I also worked with a few start-ups such as The Souled Store, Khelkit.com, etc. as a marketing intern.
After graduation, I worked for 6 months as a Software Engineer with a focus on CRMs such as Salesforce at Tech Aspect, an MNC with its focus on all things digital. I resigned from my job after getting an admit offer from ESSEC. I’m currently learning French at Alliance Française of Hyderabad as it will help me have a good experience in Paris.
Poonam: How did you learn about the ESSEC MIM program? What makes the program unique? How is it the right fit for you?
Prasanth: With the knowledge and experience that I gained while I interned at the few marketing firms, I realized that I was interested in pursuing a degree in Management studies. I looked at the FT- Ranking chart and started to go through the top programs on the list, such as HEC Paris, ESCP Europe, etc. and what they had to offer. Knowing that rankings are just one of the many other factors that make a program your ‘best fit,’ I dug deeper into each program and tried to understand its offerings. After thorough research, I found out that ESSEC was ranked #3 till 2016 and #5 in 2017 by FT-MIM World Rankings and is considered one of ‘The Three Big Parisians.’ What makes this program unique for me is that it offers immense flexibility in personalizing the course curriculum- it offers 200 electives to choose from!
Additionally, there’s a concept called ‘Chairs’, which helps the students to work closely with reputable firms such as LVMH, Accenture, etc., while still studying. Also, the option of doing apprenticeships from companies can not only make the students learn the latest trends in management but also help them financially as the companies take care of the entire tuition fees. These are just some of the many other factors that make the ESSEC– MIM program unique and the right program for me.
Poonam: Wonderful. You have provided valuable information about the ESSEC MIM program, which will be helpful to those who are interested in pursuing management studies after graduation. I would like to know if an MBA is in your plans?
Prasanth: Since most of the MBA programs from the elite B-schools abroad need a solid work-experience, it meant that I had to wait for 2 years or more to pursue my management studies, which I didn’t want to as I wasn’t really satisfied with my current job role. I started researching good career options and found out that the MIM program is specifically designed for people with not much work-experience and that it offers great insights into the world of business and management. If I ever decide to pursue an MBA later, I’m sure my learnings from the ESSEC MIM program would give me an added advantage in developing the necessary skillset to be a better leader.
Poonam: Absolutely. Prasanth, what are your career goals?
Prasanth: Post-MIM, I see myself as a successful Marketing Manager or Executive at a top-notch marketing firm such as Google, L’Oréal, or Procter & Gamble, where I would not only manage the marketing activities for global clients but also incorporate efficient and innovative solution practices. I am fascinated by Google and am passionate about getting into this company. Ten years down the lane, I plan to build on the success of this endeavor and ultimately see myself as a Principal/ Vice President of a firm, actively building relationships within the firm and with global clients, providing thought leadership, and leading organizational initiatives.
Poonam: Wonderful. I am glad that you have a clear idea of your long term vision as well. I am aware that you started preparing for your application early in the game. Could you please share your application strategy, planning, and preparation with our readers?
Prasanth: From the moment I decided that I would go ahead with the MIM program, I was constantly looking for application details and deadlines. I made sure that I met all the eligibility requirements and had all the necessary documents that were to be submitted for evaluation. I was keen on applying in the first round of admissions. So, I organized everything from day one, right from working on my essays to sending the filled-out application form and the supporting documents to the school. I kept tabs on the dates by making a note of them personally, and this helped me to finish my application way before the deadline. Also, I had my CAT, GMAT, and IELTS scores in hand well in advance, too. These helped me in targeting my dream schools and made my preparation and planning relatively easy.
Poonam: Looking back, what was the most challenging aspect of the school admissions process? How did you approach that challenge and overcome it? What would you advise other MIM applicants who are facing similar challenges?
Prasanth: Being the introvert that I am, the most challenging aspect of the school’s admission process was to give a voice to my story and express it in my essays. I decided to take the help of someone good at this, and I came to know about you through the GMAT club. Our first brain-storming session had convinced me that I had approached the right person. While I was working with you ma’am, I realized that writing successful essays was not only about giving a voice to the story but also about talking about the right things that make an impact on the Ad Com’s decision. You also motivated me, believed in me, and filled me with confidence when I needed it the most. My advice to the other applicants is- be sure about what you want to convey in your essays, and if you need help, you can always reach out to Poonam Ma’am, and make sure that you create an essay that talks about ‘you’ in the best way possible.
Poonam: Thank you, Prasanth, for your kind words. What are your favorite non-school books? What are your hobbies?
Prasanth: I’m a huge Sidney Sheldon fan. I am amazed by the way he takes the readers on a mysterious ride all through the book. ‘The Other Side of Midnight,’ ‘If Tomorrow Comes,’ and ‘The Stars Shine Down’ are some of his many works that I enjoyed reading. In addition to reading, I also enjoy writing short stories in my free time. Also, racing and go-karting are my other favorite hobbies.
Poonam: Wonderful. Thank you, Prasanth, for sharing your story with us. It was a pleasure chatting with you. Good luck with your ESSEC experience.
Link to Video Interview with Prasanth: https://youtu.be/eMldnq-eX7Q
Note: You can connect with Prasanth via LinkedIn.
Since 2011, MER (myEssayReview) has helped many applicants get accepted into the top 20 MBA programs. (Poonam is one of the top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club.)
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