FORE: expectations and deliveries - Shanta Mohanty (Batch 2010 - 12)

Shanta Mohanty, an MBA student from Assam had high expectations when he joined FORE. Only he did not know they were not high enough… His learning, while being exciting, was practical and he found himself applying all that he learnt during his internship.



Expectations before joining FORE
Before joining FORE I always wanted to go to a place where there would be a strong academic push. Also I wanted I wanted to join a place which has a legacy of producing good and innovative managers. One thing which I sought most was the quality of my peers in college. Geeks are nice, but I find them single minded and with the study blinkers on. Instead, I wanted to be in the vibrant company of young people with diverse interests. Like me.

What have I learnt from FORE:
The best thing about FORE for me is the sense of timeliness and punctuality. It is something which would stay with me forever. I value the freedom of developing ideas which the college facilitates.


What I look forward for in the next one year:
I would really like to see our batch sent great placement records. When I say great placements, it is in terms of pay packages and profiles of jobs and the companies that come on campus to recruit. This is partly due to the fact that FORE has recently been rated by CRISIL as an institute on par with many others that seem oh-so-better than ours. I expect corporate houses to take note of this fact and come here for better profiles in finance.
Another thing that I do look forward to is acquiring good knowledge of my elective subjects and I would like to participate in any live projects that FORE facilitates.


Expectations after FORE:
In the short term I would like a good job with a great profile and decent salary.
My long term plans include starting a venture of my own. I would prefer being an agricultural entrepreneur or a manufacturer in and around my native – Assam.


About Summer Internship:
I interned with Pitney Bowes. The punctuality I learnt at FORE stood me to good stead. I learnt to value other’s time as much as I value my own. Surprisingly, I found that I was more particular about meeting my targets than my mentor was about me meeting them. For this, I have to thank FORE training, where I gained subject knowledge and found the freedom to think out of the box. Both these aspects contributed in bettering my performance.

FORE Connect: Anushree Vij (Batch 2010 - 12)

Prior to joining FORE School of Management, New Delhi, I was working as a software test engineer in banking domain. My path was moving towards the role of a business analyst or a project lead.  Although my job provided me with enough opportunities to contribute to the organization in technical aspects, I realized the importance of the management aspects of working in an organization.  I decided to take up management studies.

While choosing the institutes send applications to, FORE came up a winner. It has experienced faculty, good infrastructure, appropriate location and a nice ambience. The fact that FORE has been creating managers from past 19 years reinforced my belief in this institution. I knew it would provide the right platform for me to achieve my goals.

After joining FORE, life became very different. Three trimesters gave us a comprehensive understanding of the corporate world. By studying the foundation and core courses, which involved areas such as Marketing, Finance, Operations, Information Technology, Business Communication, Economics and Human Resource etc., I got to understand the basics of every course and the management aspects attached with each one of them. Presentations, projects, role plays, group assignments and discussions gave us insights into the practical aspects of the theoretical knowledge acquired in each domain. Surprise quizzes and assignments kept us on our toes: very essential for managers today.  Another aspect at FORE was working in groups with people of different backgrounds, religions, attitudes; managing the dynamics of such an environment to accomplish the  given project/assignment built leadership qualities and team skills of the students.

Many cultural and extracurricular activities took place: the Entrepreneurship Week, Blood Donation Camp, Green Initiative, Cultural Festival etc. These activities provided us opportunities to build and showcase our talent outside the academics world, giving us a more holistic development opportunity.

India is a fast growing nation. To continue growing at the present pace, the country requires many new entrepreneurs.  Identifying this need of the nation, FORE focuses constantly on entrepreneurship development. Following events over the past year strengthens my belief that FORE will produce some of the brightest entrepreneurs in the near future. First, the Centre for Entrepreneurship Division (CED) of the college throughout the first year arranged seminars and lectures with illustrious entrepreneurs of the country. These seminars inspired students towards pursuing something of their own.

Second, a special course Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (IED) was added to help students make effective Business Plans. The whole exercise was a huge success. I now have a thought deep down in my heart. The day I identify my passion, I will muster the courage to pursue something of my own. This conviction that FORE has planted in the minds of so many students is a great thing.

I worked in the IT sector for approximately 3 years. FORE gave me a new perspective of looking at a job. When I again entered the corporate world through the two month long summer internship, my outlook had totally changed. The way I approached my work was remarkably different. Now my approach was to understand the impact of my work on the organization as a whole. I was inclined to understand and analyze the industry, the sector, the company and what difference my work would make to all of these. Now in spite of just working, my objective became, ‘what else can be done? How will it impact the business environment, various stakeholders? How can I improve any aspect of it?’ Even while going through newspapers, magazines and TV ads I analyze the article or any advertisement in terms of what is the idea behind it, what a business organization is up to and how audience is responding to it. All this is because of the teaching methodology and interest created by the faculty in all the courses.

In terms of placement, here in FORE, we are motivated to follow our dreams and find an appropriate job according to our interests and experience. All the students have an attitude to look for the desired profile and not only the remuneration offered.  Last year many good companies came with diverse roles and offered competitive package. This time the expectation is higher. I think with the reputation and brand image of FORE, many good companies will be coming and offering varied profiles. I expect I will get the profile I desire.

Back to academics: I am really excited about the electives I have taken. We had a wide range of electives catering to different needs. These electives widen the knowledge base making each one comfortable to work in the specific area or field chosen. This time, there was an option of choosing a foreign language. I think it is a wonderful opportunity to get an edge in the global business world.  FORE facilitates the students by giving various international certifications such as CFA, Six Sigma, SAS and ERP etc. during relevant course lectures. 

FORE has been a good learning platform in the past one year. It has completely changed my outlook towards a job, environment, the business world… in fact, towards life as a whole. Another year is ahead and I expect to gather domain expertise in the areas I have chosen. I think this whole two year course will equip me with all the pre-requisites required for being an efficient and effective manager in the corporate world. I strongly believe after this course, I will be capable of stepping back in the industry with all the desired skills and will contribute significantly to this dynamic business world.

“FORE, a Good Option for High ROI” – By Hitashi Gupta (Batch 2010 - 12)

Prior to joining FORE, I was working with Tata Consultancy Services. When I decided to pursue MBA, my mind had a tussle between leaving a decently paying job and joining a good B-school. Return of investment was important as the opportunity cost was high, and FORE seemed like a good option that guaranteed high ROI. But that wasn’t the only reason why I choose FORE over other B-schools. Placements in any B-school play one of the most crucial part in deciding its ranking and FORE scored extremely well on that. Some of the biggest national and international companies visit FORE to recruit students. Also with its best quality of faculty and students, FORE has garnered a good brand name and a respected B-school ranking in the market.

In the past one year of my journey with FORE, I have seen myself grow as a person. With continuous interactions with the corporate world, classroom presentations, and team building exercises, both my attitude and aptitude towards management have grown. While committee exercises made me more confident and proactive, the classroom group exercises helped me become a good communicator and a better team player. Before joining the institute, I was confused about the specialization I should opt for, but the first one year which is an amalgamation of leanings from all the streams of management viz. Marketing, Finance, HR, IT and operations gave me a clear direction.

Currently, I am doing my internship from O-Zone Networks Pvt. Ltd. My profile is Area Sales Manager and my job is to manage a team of 20 people. I directly report to the National Head -Sales and Marketing. The experience that I am getting through this internship is phenomenal. It is like a rehearsal to the real play where I will be acting as a marketing manager. Getting such a profile in an internship is entirely because of the reputation of FORE in the market. I am glad that I joined FORE.

“A Blend of Fun-filled Student Life Coupled with a Corporate Like Culture at FORE” – By Aseem Goyal (Batch 2010 - 12)

Having joining letters from McKinsey and Deloitte in one hand and final admission call letter from FORE on the other, it was a tough call for me to choose the next step when I had completed my graduation last year. On one side, there was an urge to enter the corporate world and start earning while on the other hand, there was an opportunity to go through a 2-year rigorously organized transition in order to prepare myself to enter the business world in a better way. I chose the latter one, but with certain inhibitions.

After spending one year here, FORE has lived up to my expectations. Now, I know that the most calculated decision of my life was rightly taken. A blend of fun-filled student life coupled with a corporate like culture, FORE has made me understand how the two can go hand in hand. A wholesome package of courses imparting the basic orientation in every business domain with lectures, corporate sessions, seminars, workshops, industry visits, projects, presentations and many more things, keeping one busy all the time. Yet the fun never takes a back seat in the close-knit student community at FORE.

If I were to name one thing that I have learned here, it would be how to apply the things you know in real world situations. To help us in learning this, each and every business management concept was taught to us by putting it into actual practice with the help of various important case studies and other applications. Being familiar with the subjects of business management doesn’t give us a license to jump into business world. We need to know how to apply that knowledge into practice. This became more evident at my first corporate assignment when I went for my summer internship at Power Grid Corporation India Ltd. The project I undertook involved incorporating variability in domestic borrowing instruments of the company to reduce its financing costs. I was also involved in raising of Rs 2000 crore debt for the company through their bond issue. It means a lot when the company entrusts you with such important assignments mainly on the basis of institute’s credentials and the precedent set by FORE alumni having worked there previously. And it feels even better when you live to their expectations. All thanks to the learning imparted during the one year by well-qualified and experienced faculty at FORE, I was able to do the things right. Also, my college professors were there to help me at every step, wherever I faced any problem.

It feels great to be back to the student life for second trance of learning. This year will involve some more focused learning as I have chosen my subject combinations in a way that I get a chance to have an in-depth understanding of my interest area. Also, I am expecting to get a good opportunity to work in my desired business domain as FORE Career Division has been providing ample opportunities in the past also with the help of its effective corporate interface.

On the basis of my experience here till now, I think FORE has been able to deliver in a very effective way all the things I had expected of a high-quality post graduate program in business management. I am sure that my 2-years here will always be cherished by me in future with a great deal of enthusiasm, and the things I have learned here will always come in handy in the real business situations of life.

“My Journey So Far at FORE” – By Sudhir Mishra (PGDM-IB Wave 4; Batch of 2010-12)

We undertake several journeys in the course of our lifetime. However, very few of them leave an indelible impression on the fertile grounds of our mind and soul. Whenever, we look back at them, we get filled with nostalgic emotions and our eyes become moist. Last one and a half year of my association with FORE has been one such sojourn.

I still clearly remember my first day at FORE when I had come here to collect my prospectus for admission in their coveted PGDM programme. Being an inquisitive person I am, I had many queries in my mind and I was not sure of where to find answers to them. But that one visit to FORE was so enlightening that I can call it as one of the most defining moments in my life. By the time I left the FORE Campus, I was absolutely convinced in my mind that in case I do manage to get a call from them, I am going to join this Institution. So, what happened during that one day visit, which left me with such a strong desire to join FORE? Let me share about it with you in few lines.

Having so many queries, I entered the campus and was greeted by a broad smile at the reception desk. That proved to be an instant medicine, soothing my nerves no end. A very small gesture, but one that made me feels desired. I became quite comfortable and then began a series of discussions on various aspects. Some of the queries were answered by them, some by the academic office and some by the faculty. I also got an opportunity to interact with few of the senior students of FORE. These interactions, with different stakeholders, left me in a sense of disbelief. How could all of them be so generous and kind to a person who, till that point of time had not even formally applied to the college? This was an eye-opener for me and also the beginning of a huge learning curve as I got a glimpse into the deeply entrenched culture and philosophy of this great Institution. They taught me biggest management mantra in the very first visit itself,” Greet every individual as a prospect for you, leaving him with a feeling to come back wanting for more.” Herein began my management journey.

I worked hard and fortunately was able to secure myself a place in their long list of illustrious students. The day I got my offer letter, I felt as if the world has come into my grasp. One of the prime reasons for this kind of overjoyed elation lay in the thought of finally getting to learn management from an Institution, which had each of its actions and activities guided by various management philosophies. And I wanted to imbibe them in my work ethics and culture.

Past one year that I have been in FORE has exceeded all my expectations. It has not only contributed immensely to the enhancement of my knowledge base but also made me to unlearn and learn to see things differently, to see things in perspective. The faculties have been a tremendous guiding light, showing the way each time I felt helpless; and so have been my peers. I feel honored to be a part of such elite people. All of them have a significant share in my evolution as a management learner in this one year.

Now I have begun my journey into the final year of my PGDM course. We have been exposed to various practical aspects of corporate functionalities and the governance, best practices to be followed, issues that affect an organization, and lot more through an eclectic mix of case studies, brain storming and industry interactions apart from regular class room teaching. I am looking forward to build on all of this in my second year.

This will also be the year of my securing placements. I know and I am sure that I will get placed in a company and profile of my liking, because of the renowned brand FORE is.

Such has been the learning in the time I have spent at FORE that I feel supremely confident, though with all humbleness as that is how we have been taught, to take on the world with our brand of management.


Sudhir Mishra is a B.Com graduate with 168 months of work experience at National Council for Cooperative Training (Under Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India). Currently he is pursuing PGDM-IB at FORE School of Management, New Delhi. He did his summer internship at Nirmal Bang Commodities & Securities Pvt. Ltd. (Finance - Marketing)

“FORE, One of the best B-schools in Delhi/NCR region” - By Anshuman (PGDM Wave 19; Batch of 2010-12)

Prior to joining Fore, I have worked with Infosys Technologies Ltd. for 34 months as a Senior Systems Engineer where I was majorly involved in Application Maintenance of web-based applications of a leading US wealth management company. After having a good technical expertise and industry knowledge, I aim to explore the business front of the industry and that is why I have chosen management as my career path.

FORE scores over other institutes on various fronts:

• First of those being the location. It is situated in the heart of country’s capital and is flanked by various industries in NCR, making it a perfect place to study as it gives a good combination of academic and industrial exposure.

• Secondly, the faculty at FORE is vastly experienced with average experience being 22 years. Thus a student can be sure of the fact that most of the learning that he/she will get will be from some handsomely experienced people.

• Thirdly, FORE is recognized as a premier B-school in the industry having an established corporate interface, which helps students find opportunities in various organizations and profiles of their choice.

I am currently undergoing by internship with Fresenius Kabi India, a leading German Pharmaceutical company. My project involves accessing the patient population size for the current year and projecting the future growth of population in the coming years. I will also be mapping the population to various clinical setting variables like home care, primary care, and many others.

The best thing about the curriculum during first year is that you study subjects from all the specializations of management viz. HR, Marketing, Finance and then your internships in a corporate organization act like an ice-breaker to choose your further career path. Some of the subjects like Marketing Management and Marketing Research etc. have greatly helped me learn the tools of marketing which I can easily apply during my internship.

“Looking forward for a Learning Experience at FORE” – By Prateek Jain (Batch 2011 - 13)

My name is Prateek Jain. I have done my B.Tech from Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Engineering in the stream of Instrumentation and Control. After completing my graduation I have worked in TCS for 2.5 years as a System Engineer.

Engineering degree has laid a strong foundation for my analytical skills while the work experience in TCS has given me a basic understanding of business processes along with technical knowledge. Now, I want to have a broader perspective in terms of knowledge, which is not only limited to technical level but is also extended towards business and functional level. I want to pursue the PGDM course in FORE in order to supplement my analytical skills and to understand the business aspect of technology. I am sure it will help me being in a better position to take strategic decisions for the organization I am working with. I aspire for a career that can provide me with an opportunity to learn and where I can use my skills to deliver success to my organization.

FORE Scores:-

The experience at FORE will be invaluable as my learning will be structured by world's best faculty armed with real world experience. With excellent industry interface, eminent faculty and a healthy mix of students at FORE, it would also enhance my analytical and inter-personal skills.

MBA from FORE will not only strengthen my knowledge base, but would also make me competent and confident to act and respond in challenging times. Moreover, marketing profiles offered by the companies that visit FORE are very good which is in line with my interest.

FORE also has a location advantage over other B-schools which was also one of the reason of my choosing FORE over other colleges.

After completing my Masters degree from FORE, I see myself in the middle management level where I would have learned the practical applications of the knowledge that I will acquire here and would be respected by my fellow colleagues for my leadership qualities. I would be at that stage of my career where I would be all set to make the best possible use of my knowledge that I had acquired here.

My interaction with our senior batches at FORE was a very learning experience. The seniors were very cooperative and assisted us is resolving all sort of issues and apprehensions related to FORE. They shared their experience in FORE with us which was very valuable and inspiring. I am looking forward to meet all my seniors and batch mates and begin my journey at FORE.

“I believe that I will make FORE my Alma Mater” - By Kirti Mishra (Batch 2011 - 13)

I completed my graduation in Computer Science (hons) from Ram Lal Anand College, University of Delhi in 2009. After completing my graduation, I moved to Mumbai to work as an Executive in Business Development for an energy conservation firm, ENCON Energy Management Services Pvt. Ltd. In my employment I was involved in B2B sales process, which being a highly competitive industry gave me a lot of scope for learning. However, soon I realized that a simple graduation degree is not enough to meet my career aspirations. A Masters degree in Business Administration is a must if I want to have a high profile career with better working and learning opportunities. FORE School of Management is my ladder which will help me reach the heights of success I aspire.

FORE School of management is one of the top notch colleges in the country. I feel proud to get a chance to become a part of this esteemed organization. I am extremely eager and looking forward to begin with the MBA-International Business (IB), for which I have been selected.

FORE, as we all know, is a brand name. And as the saying goes “With brands come the expectations,” I have high expectations from the two years I am going to spend here. Witnessing the learning environment at FORE and interacting with seniors (even before coming to the school), through various virtual modes viz a viz chat rooms and social networking Websites, it is evident that FORE lives up to its punch line “Learn to Lead”. Since its inception in 1981, FORE has evolved into an epitome of excellence in terms of India’s leading B-Schools. Over years it has acquired 15 national and 9 international linkages. This also involves an exchange programme with ESC Rennes International School of Business, France.

The institution can truly boast of having state-of-the-art infrastructure and can take pride in the advantage it gets in being situated in the heart of the capital city of the country. The peculiar location gives FORE the perfect mix to provide its students with industrial exposure as well as a social environment. It evades the drawback many B-schools face being located almost at the outskirts of the main city. The students in such schools do not get the opportunity to explore life beyond their B-School. However, with FORE one can get real industry exposure as well as a motivation to go beyond studies and evolve as an all-rounder to succeed in every sphere of life.

Even before joining FORE the efforts of the college in helping s us solve our queries and clear our inhibitions through Social Networking Websites like Facebook is laudable. They have given all the fresher’s a platform to interact and be friends with one another, and also the opportunity to talk with our seniors. In the long run, it will surely prove to be an effective management strategy when it comes to breaking the ice between freshers and seniors, or even the time required in making an understanding with the peer group. Students have already started organizing meets between themselves, have interacted, and even founded like-minded people. For instance, a photography club has been formed by students of our batch where in all the photography enthusiasts have uploaded some of their work and even planned to go clicking together once college begins. This platform has also shown that FORE has a good mix of all the students from various industries, including a good mix of fresh graduates and students with work experience. Students with varied interest and hobbies bring a different vigor and enthusiasm to the cultural activities in an organization and it can very well be foreseen that the management festival of the college “Genesis” will be rife with the much required diversity and fun.

In the next two years, I expect a lot of learning as well as fun in the college. On one hand, we have faculty with an average experience of 22 years, who can boost learning in us, and on the other hand we have a rich mix of students and seniors, who seem to be very congenial and fun to be with. I expect FORE will live up to my expectations and will provide me with an environment conducive to my growth academically, professionally, and socially. With its excellent placements record (almost 100% with average package of 7lakhs in 2010), it is almost certain that FORE will help every student develop into a successful corporate professional and will provide a platform for them to start their careers with the positions of authority. I believe I speak for everyone joining FORE when I say that we all expect and believe in making FORE our Alma Mater. FORE will prove to be a life changing point in our careers and social status, and will help us reach the zenith of our careers.

“Chosen Fore Because of Several Advantages over Other B-Schools” – By Priyanka Shukla (Batch 2011 - 13)

I am Priyanka Shukla, a Life Sciences graduate from Lucknow University. After my completing my graduation, an MBA was an obvious choice for me. The reason for this is that MBA is not just about learning management fundamentals, but also about the overall grooming of an individual into a professional, which was exactly what I was looking for in my higher studies. I appeared for CAT, scored good and got a call from FORE along with many other good B-Schools. My interview experience at FORE was one of the most challenging and a very interesting one of all the interviews I have appeared for. When I finally got through it, I decided to take the final call and join FORE. The reasons for choosing FORE were many:

• FORE has, over the years, established itself into a brand name. It has a well placed alumni network and excellent corporate connections. Also the placement reports have been consistent and excellent. The list of visiting companies is pretty extensive and the profiles offered are diverse.

• Interacting and learning from FORE's highly experienced and competent faculty would definitely add more value to my career and me as a person.

• The location of FORE is undoubtedly one of the best in New Delhi. This will definitely make a difference in terms of exposure as it is surrounded by so many good colleges and corporate companies and thus makes it easier to interact with the people from other B- Schools as well.

• As I interacted with the seniors I came to know that FORE also offers the flexibility of dual specialization.

To make an MBA experience more valuable, I feel what is really important is the peer group. The diversity of good students at FORE gives everyone a chance to learn from each other. Since many students have prior work experiences in various fields and different kinds of exposures, interacting with them at one place is just something one looks forward to. I have an inclination towards photography and as I was interacting with students, who are going to join my batch as well as the seniors I was pleasantly surprised that there are as many as ten other students who are interested in photography and some of them are really good too! We have already decided to make a group where we can learn from each other and pursue our hobby and everyone including me is absolutely excited about it.

"The two eventful years of learning and life turning experience awaits you at FORE", were the words printed on the final conversion letter I received from the college, and I am sure they definitely will be. Anxiously looking forward to be a part of FORE.

“Being at FORE, a Great Nourishment to My Creative Soul” – By Dhruv Bansal (Batch 2011 - 13)

It has been my long cherished dream to study Management at a renowned B-School like FORE School of Management. Now that I have an opportunity to be part of this esteemed institution, I feel proud of my achievement. I expect a great amalgam of people who are going to join the institute. My interaction with people would help me get a glimpse into the real world outside the purview of books and theory. A great pool of faculty, which belongs to FORE and also, visits the institute will share with a knowledge-hungry student like me the great reservoir of their experience. The committees in the college will be of great nourishment to my creative soul as well. Not to mention the strategically placed campus in the heart of Delhi that will offer me a great exposure and opportunities for personal recreation.

I have interacted with some knowledgeable seniors and peers who have high regards for quality education and sound mental development. It gives me immense satisfaction to be in the vicinity of such great scholars.

I look forward to a fruitful experience at FORE in the next two years with an all-round development and to become an Industry ready professional! I aim to be an entrepreneur after my MBA. With an adequate education at FORE and with some amount of corporate experience in hand, I certainly believe that I’ll be ready to make a definitive entry into the business world.

“My Journey from Studentship to Management Education” - By Aurgho Ghosh (Batch 2011 - 13)

“The FORE application form (for the 2010-2012 batch) still lies in my cupboard. I will preserve the same so that it keeps reminding me the struggle I had to go through to finally get there. For future aspirations, inspirations and achievements, there couldn’t be a better testimony.” – Aurgho Ghosh

As a week is what remains for my MBA journey at FORE to begin, my thoughts travel two years back to when it all started. Being a Computer Engineer, the next logical step for me would have been to work in the IT sector. After gathering some relevant work-experience, foraying into the world of business management seemed like the next step. For me however, my dad’s business beckoned me a tad more urgently than a career in IT at the time I graduated from college, back in 2008. I do not regret having had to manage my father’s school, even though it meant restricted freedom and more moral responsibility than is expected from a 22 years old fresh graduate. This restricted freedom did put brakes on my desires to leverage my youthful energy enjoying city life, earning big bucks, frequenting discos, pubs, partying throughout weekend nights and doing every freaking frivolous thing on earth. Three years of being guardian to young kids may have streaked a few of my hairs grey, but it has also taught me values that no IT job could have taught me.

Doing my MBA, as I mentioned earlier was the next logical step. It is one thing to run an institution with an established foundation and quite a different thing to make a career of your own. I wanted to carve a niche for myself rather than having people say throughout my life that I was merely carrying forward a legacy. Also, my family was keen as well on me doing my MBA from a good institute. My preparation to appear in the CAT 2009 examination got started sometime around in July 2009.  However, Being located in a smaller town had its own share of shortcomings for me. There wasn’t a single good coaching institute within a radius of 500 Km. I had to borrow study material from a cousin of mine who had completed his MBA and then, I had to study and solve those test papers at my own. There was guidance, but I wasn’t sure how accurate that was; there was motivation from all people all around me, but my self-motivation kept skydiving at most instances. Nevertheless, I toiled away in the hope that destiny would prevail and I would get my due.

In my view, appearing for the CAT examination isn’t the only turmoil that aspirants have to go through. Filling up the application forms is also a concern that causes you mental and financial stress. I remember to this day that apart from a couple of colleges whose form filling deadlines lapsed before CAT, FORE too had its deadline before CAT. I remember buying the form and going to the bank to prepare the draft. However on second thought, I held back and looked up the Internet to verify the last date. To my surprise, my hunch was right. The deadline had been extended just beyond CAT, which gave people like me the chance to take the exam and then, fill or not fill the form based on their self-evaluation of the exam.

What followed was anguish – utter anguish! I never felt more depressed, more disappointed before. After all the toil, the perseverance, CAT 2009 turned into a disaster for me. And, I had only myself to blame. I realized one thing very quickly then, that my MBA plan had to wait for another year. I wasn’t destined to be in the batch of 2010. FORE’s application form thus lay unattended to in my cupboard.

I decided to move on with what came next leaving behind the past. As a result, a bit of assessment and retrospection appeared to be the need of the hour. I sought proper guidance from experts and decided to take an online test series from a leading coaching institute. Regular online mock CAT tests started to augment my preparation and channeled it in the right direction. After an even tiring second year’s preparation, CAT 2010 came and hurried away in a flash. Although it wasn’t mind-blowing, it passed muster. I was content with my performance but still skeptical of the result. However, the exam exuded enough confidence in me to warrant filling the FORE application form. Even then, there was this silent belief that I had done perhaps just enough to deserve a call.

Fortunately, I wasn’t disappointed this time. A score of 89.22 percentile may not be the best I could have got, but it still was adequate in getting me calls from a few reputed colleges, including FORE. I somehow valued and treasured the FORE FMG interview call more than the other calls I had. As my GD/PI date neared I grew increasingly nervous and fidgety all over again. On the day of GD/PI, I was however remarkably calm and composed. My GD wasn’t the best, by my own standards, but the interview pleased me immensely. I wouldn’t say that it was a perfect interview. I had neither answered all questions correctly nor had I rocked the interview panel off their feet. But what I had done, which I had silently felt then was— I had conveyed to them that there was a budding manager in me which needed the guidance and platform that FORE had on offer.

My gut feeling wasn’t unfounded. That is why despite my poor academics, less than average extra curricular and an almost odd work experience, I was ranked 20 in the 1^st waitlist (which was almost as good as a confirmation right then). My interview at FORE was apparently my first success I could register at any of the best b-schools in the country. Despite receiving calls from few other good colleges as well, I was quite convinced about my decision to join FORE.

In the entire process, there have been a few people and sites that I am extremely grateful to. One of such sites was Pagalguy, about which I didn’t know much before. However, from the time I started surfing it on a regular basis, it has only enriched my knowledge in the relevant area. The senior students at FORE, also responded to each of our enquiries with the due poise and calm. Particularly, Mr. Ajai Govind G always has been firm and informative with his replies and he didn’t disappear for even a day.

The support from our seniors at FORE taught us our first management lesson, i.e. to help young minds with patience, diplomacy and professionalism is our going to be imperative for us to survive in the business world tomorrow. Thanks to our seniors who made us learn this important lesson which you don’t learn otherwise in usual circumstances.

At last, I would like to thank the three panelists who conducted our GD/PI. Although this might sound like an undue admiration for the interview panel, they did offer me a chance to prove my worth and feel sufficiently valued. I greatly value being considered worthy a student at FORE. I have made a mental note to make sure that I am going to justify their assessment of my skills. I will do my best to ensure that I uphold the faith that you have reposed on me, throughout my journey at FORE and beyond it as well. In my way, that is all I can do to say a big thanks to this college.

“My First Step towards Being a Professional” – By Aaroshi Asija (Batch 2011 - 13)

The journey from a graduate to joining a business school is finally coming to an end.  With my decision to join FORE School of Management, I make my first and definitive step that ensures my entry to the corporate world.

I am a business Economics graduate from Delhi University and had been a student of DPS Vasant Kunj. For a person with my qualification, a management degree in International Business from FORE appears to be the right decision. FORE school of Management scores over several other MBA institutes for a number of reasons. The most obvious reasons for make me choose FORE are its location advantages – it’s located at a prime location in Delhi, which is my hometown too. In addition, the institute brings a legacy of over 22 years in the disciplines related to managerial education.

FORE school equips its students with the skills required to approach the real-life problems in a realistic way in addition to the related theoretical aspects. At the same time, I am going to develop skills that are vital to the building of managers of tomorrow. FORE will help me develop a number of crucial tangible and intangible skills, including decision-making, problem-solving, analytical reasoning, communications, creativity and innovation.

FORE is a reputed brand name that also becomes a good reason for companies to visit the campus for recruitment. Of course, a good placement is one of my obvious goals. The placement records of previous batches at FORE school reassure me of the job security after I complete my PG course.

I follow the concept of 4 D’s in my life – Desire, Determination and Discipline is what already I have. Direction is what FORE will provide me with its innate faculty and corporate partnerships. During my MBA course at FORE, I hope to undergo a holistic development in order to grow from a graduate to a successful business manager. I also hope to get an opportunity to grow personally as well as professionally, interacting with students coming from a multitude of cultures and backgrounds. With my education at FORE, I aim to learn the terms of trade while improving as a person going forward.

In my view, MBA should be a life-time experience, and FORE provides its student a right mix of education and cultural events. The committees at FORE extend an exciting opportunity for us to go and work outside of our core domains to explore newer avenues.

The pre-joining interactions with my peers and seniors have also been really exciting. My interactions with my seniors had been particularly impressive as I sense that they have matured as a professional in just one year of their education at FORE. The kind of sincerity and dedication they exhibited was highly commendable. They provided us all the required information on all modern channels of information, including Facebook, Pagalguy and various other MBA forums.

I most certainly look forward to being a part of this institute and calling myself a FORE-ian!

FORE: you have to be in it to experience it...By Vineet Surana (Batch 2010 - 12)

I am a Computer Science graduate from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala. Although I had the technical expertise that was required in the corporate world, to have a flourishing career, a holistic understanding of how businesses function is essential. Therefore, I decided to pursue a management course for my P.G.

Joining FORE for my PGDM has been one of the most satisfying endeavours of my life as a student. The learning environment here matches that of the best b-schools in the country. The placements are something to look forward to. I have made some of my best friends at FORE.  Many people ask me, what it is like to be at FORE. I have only one answer to that: You have to be in it to experience it.

I did my summer internship at Reserve Bank of India, New Delhi. My project was majorly into assessment of the lending practices of banks towards the MSME sector. The industry exposure at Reserve Bank of India has helped me give structure to my future career goals. The learning from my internship experience has been very valuable and something that will never be found in books.

I wish to pursue a career in the banking sector and there is no doubt that my experience at FORE will help me achieve all my career dreams and a fruitful life.

A new beginning

“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest,” Mark Twain, the author, said. This quote struck more than the others, especially now, as I welcome each young individual of the FSM 2011-13 batches into our fold.

You are stepping into a new phase in your lives: with hope, faith and the knowledge that this MBA is something you must do. Like Mark Twain said, ‘do right’. Because these days will never return. Before your day begins, take a few minutes as soon as you wake up to decide what you want to achieve, and go after it, relentlessly. You may not do it all, but even if you get 80% of what you promised yourself done, when you go to bed, it will be with a sense of satisfaction.

After passing through the application process, you must know that you are a special person. The panel choosing you saw a spark, talent and potential. They saw the integrity you showed to your inner ‘self’, to do what is ‘right’.

Every day changes happen in the world of business, technology, communications and marketing. Needs evolve. The FSM curriculum has been put together with a lot of attention to TODAY. Here, education goes beyond merely teaching you to make a living. You get guidance to tap into your fullest potential – relentlessly.

The years you spend at FSM will stay with you in a precious little pocket in your mind’s eye. Suddenly, when you need it, a particular, long forgotten memory of a particular class will pop up, and from there you will get a solution. This is feedback I get from our alums.

Coming from different educational backgrounds and from different parts of the county, you are here together. As one, yet with different ambitions. Some aspirations may change as you go along, while some of you will find yourselves becoming stronger in your chosen subject, with an individual, unique perspective.

Absorb, learn, imbibe. Most important of all, know what you want, and go after it with single minded determination. Put every bit of you behind your conviction. When you love what you do, you do it best.

A lot of us, at your age, faced fear. We feared irrelevant things like what someone else may or may not think. What if we disappointed our parents? What if we wore the wrong clothes or picked the wrong fork at a formal dinner? The fear list could go on, really.

Let me ask you: what are you afraid of in yourself? The only person who knows you, is you. Take pride in yourself and who you are. Once you acknowledge that, you are ready to move on.

Will it really matter two, three or five years down the line what someone else thought of you? Not really. The only opinion that matters is yours and that of your loved ones.

Irrespective of what you may think, your parents want your happiness, above all. They will offer their point of view. Take it. They are more experienced than you.

The expiry date on blaming your parents for things gone wrong in your life just ended the day you walked into FSM. So stop the blame game, if it’s still on, and move into your new life with confidence. Each day is a new beginning. Remember that. You tread the path of ‘today’ just once. 

FSM Welcomes PGDM and PGDM-IBM batch 2011-13 to the Induction Program on 20th June

The Fore School of Management announces the commencement of its new academic year 2011. A total of --- students drawn from diverse educational backgrounds: engineering, science, commerce and arts will be joining FSM student fraternity. They will pursue the two year full time course for PGDM and PGDM-IBM.

Starting at 9 am on Monday, 20 June 2011, new comers will participate in a special induction programme in the FSM college campus. During the programme, students will be led through the registration and joining processes. The induction dress code is formal wear. Students – both boys and girls – are expected to come in white shirts and grey trousers.

To complete the registration process, students are advised to bring all the required documents along with them, including:

Ø  Originals and one set of attested photocopies of educational and professional qualifications, and work experience certificate

Ø  Four stamp-sized color photographs

Ø  The original receipt for verification

Outstation students are advised to ensure the contact details of their local guardian are readily available. The local guardians must be residents of Delhi/NCR region and can be contacted during emergencies. After the completion of registration and joining formalities on 20^th June, the first term for the new batch will begin on 21st June 2011.

FSM management also congratulates students for getting admission in PGDM-IBM Programme-2011-2013. Dr. Jitendra Kumar Das, Director, FSM said, “We are extremely elated to welcome the new batch at FSM. I congratulate all the students who got admissions and welcome them all to experience the craziest, fun-filled and learning years of their life. The induction program is just the beginning of your journey and it will surely give you a glimpse of the coming two years during your stay in campus.” Which, as FSM alums will tell you were the best learning years of their lives. 

Welcome to PGDM 2011-13 Batch at FSM

There are very few days in human life when one is truly elated from the bottom of his/her heart. And I believe the first day in college is one of them. When I arrived at Fore School of Management or FSM, there was a feeling of tingling in my stomach and I am sure you must be having the same. All of you will leave the comfort of your home to achieve something in life. I am sure you all are extremely excited as I was then.

There must be several questions in your mind. What would be the college campus like? What would the teachers and seniors be like? Who are going to be my new roommates – there is so much to find out. Some call it curiosity and some call it excitement. At FSM we call it spark. It is the spark within you that makes you unique and during the course of your journey at FSM you will find that unique spark lying somewhere deep within you as I did.

I loved singing from my childhood but I have never realized my potential as a singer. However, it was the encouragement from my batch mates and seniors that I could perform in the interschool singing competition (NEXUS) in front of hundreds of people. And it is surprising how such events fill you with the confidence to deal with the world, the true quality of a manager. I must say that I have not only learned about management inside the classroom, but also learned something from every small event in the campus.

Life at most of the management school is tough and it is the same at FSM as well. You will need to study hard, make presentations, attend lectures, perform well in exams, get a good job and what not. However, while I was busy doing all of this for past one year, fun never took a back seat and that is what makes FSM special. FSM is about grueling schedules, committees, events, functions, dhabas, Facebook groups, late night parties at hostel rooms, night-outs during exams, the list seems never ending. At times, I used to feel at loss of memory to store so much. It will sound like an exaggeration when I say that FSM is a journey in itself, but when you will be at my place writing a welcome note for your juniors you will feel the same.

I welcome all my juniors to experience the most wonderful years of their life. If someone gives me a chance to travel back in time, I will always choose to be the 1^st year student at FSM. Enjoy this time to the fullest. Take your time, explore the campus, make friends, adjust with people, and learn from seniors and all-in-all live life FSM size. Most importantly discover the spark in you.

It is not in our tradition to lay red carpet to welcome students, but I would like to welcome you all from deep of my heart.

Wish you all the best for their journey as a FOREian

FORE School of Management opens admissions for its 3-year PGDM (Part Time) programme for working professional

Admissions are now open to the FORE School of Management’s three-year Post Graduate Programme (Part Time) in Management (PGDM), which is sure to propel any career straight into the fast lane to success.
  

Students seeking admission are required to be working professionals who have been in their career for a period of at least two years.

This programme, based in Delhi, is a boon for young professional  living in the capital. It is an opportunity for them to enhance their professional qualifications in a structured yet innovative way. It enables them to take charge of their career and become the boss of their future.

Incorporated in 1992, the PGDM is a tried and tested course. Through the years, FORE’s PGDM students have proved that this is truly an avenue working youth seek out. It is a method of enhancing their knowledge, setting new paradigms, creating fresh niches and climbing the career ladder comfortably, consistently. PDGM students continue in their careers, getting to use what they learn real life, practical scenarios. For them, the Management qualification is a very important bonus they earn to keep them ahead.  

The PGDM is a very well thought out and practically conceived course with a clear focus on developing managerial skills. Students enrolling for the PGDM are already working and have been in their careers for over two years in middle or junior level executives with public or private sector organizations.

The faculty at FORE are all highly qualified academician and corporate professionals, well known  in their field. Each one of them brings expertise, commitment, immense knowledge: all developed on the strong foundations of their educational qualifications. They are chosen for their skills in making the entire three years spent at FORE a transformational experience that will be etched in memories right through their lives.  

Held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of every working week, classes are held between 6.15 pm to 9.30 pm on Thursdays and Fridays. On Saturdays, classes are between 2.30 pm and 9.30 pm.

Course fees: Rs. 3,60,000 and will be paid in six equal instalments.

About FORE School of Management:

Foundation for Organizational Research and Education (FORE) was established in 1981. FORE’s main aim is a commitment to the development of Management Education, Research, Training and Consultancy. Through the 30 years of its existence, FORE’s contributions to the global business environment has been tremendous.

“With over 3000 students having graduated since its inception in 1992, FORE School of Management operates under the aegis of Foundation for Organisational Research and Education founded in 1981. This Three Year part time PGDM programme has been running successfully since 1992 and the admitted students and alumni belong to various reputed organizations in some of the most leading industries,” says Dr. Jitendra K. Das, Director, FORE School of Management.

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Contact: Ph: 91-11-41242415, 26569996.Website: http://fsm.ac.in/ 

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Source Link-  http://www.businesswireindia.com/PressRelease.asp?b2mid=26380

Exclusive Interview - Dr. J.K Das, Director , Fore School of Management

FORE School of Management’s Director, Dr. Jitnedra K Das talks about the need for a part-time PDGM.

With nearly three decades of mentoring and teaching under his belt, both within the country and abroad, Dr. Jitendra K Das has his finger firmly on the pulse of Management Education. He is Director, FORE School of Management and teaches Marketing Management and Strategic Internet Marketing. His other interests include CRM and Advanced Marketing Research.

With a keen eye on developments in the Indian market, FORE found the need for a part-time PDGM and is about to start its 20th batch shortly.

Here, Dr Das has answered some questions that are on many students’ and parents’ minds.

1.     An additional MBA seems to be a necessity today while, earlier, a graduate degree could land people a steady job.  What advantages does an MBA offer?

The world has evolved into a global economy and India is a substantial contributor to this evolution. Human resources need multiple skills to manage such an economy. A degree in Management helps students understand all aspects of running a business or an organization. A graduate has academic knowledge but a person armed with a management degree has more practical orientation. The exposure to situations through the case study approach and first hand experience during internship equips them much more than a graduate to succeed on the job.  In a competitive world like this, an MBA also gives the desired edge in employment opportunities and actually improves careers in many cases.

2.     What made you decide on offering the Part time PGDM course?

We started Part-time MBA in 1992 to cater to the needs of working professionals who cannot pursue a full time program. The part time course equips professionals to develop managerial skills and add a competitive edge to their career while continuing in their jobs. As I mentioned earlier, we need skilled people to lead the country. This is our effort to make a difference to the workforce of the country. 

3.     What makes the FORE part time PDGM different from other B-Schools?

The part-time program at FORE is as exhaustive as the full time one with no compromise on the quality. We expose students to a variety of management tools and techniques to ensure that they develop their analytical and decision making skills. Apart from the academic gain, the part time program also inculcates values of social responsibilities of the participants through various activities designed towards achieving the goal. What makes the part-time PDGM at FORE truly unique is the mix of training methodologies. Students are exposed to the regular lectures, case studies, seminars and special sessions by professionals from industry & trade. The additional edge is the focus on experiential learning. This happens through role-plays, group discussions & presentations, management games, sensitivity training, management films, industrial visits and corporate interaction.

4.     How do you go about choosing your students?

We choose students on the basis of CAT and a personal interview. However, the candidate’s academic performance and work experience also play an important role in the final selection.  About 75% of the students who get selected tend to be from engineering. The simple reason for this is a majority of engineering graduates appear in the CAT to bolster their technical skills. We are actively looking at ways to ensure more non-engineering students getting admission at FORE. We are sure that the presence of more students with arts and science background would equally enrich the learning experience at FORE.

5.     How do you meet the changes of the industry?

Change is constant and the best way to be prepared is to expose our students to current trends in the industry. Interaction with people from the corporate world including corporate supported projects that our students undertake gives them hands–on experience of the industry. It helps them understand how things have panned out within the industry under the influence of the changes in the outside world. Apart from that, our faculty brings in its unique contribution with their alacrity to help students acquire the needed attitude, skills and strategy to handle change.

6.     Apart from academics, what are the activities that enrich students of FORE while having fun at the same time?

FORE is a hub of activities that help students learn and have fun at the same time. The student council, which has different committees, is run wholly on the managerial capabilities of the students. Events like freshers’ night and alumni meet facilitate breaking ice with the juniors and learning from the experience of the seniors. FORE has a unique ehub for students to network, chat and discuss academics in their free time.  Also, FORE is situated at a vibrant location with eating joints that help foster ideas in students over a meal. 

FORE believes that students must be socially responsible. Direct exposure to social projects like blood donation initiatives, providing education to the children of the less fortunate, sensitivity to the environment and society at large, etc add value to the education at FORE.

7.  How often does your part time PDGM syllabus change?

FORE’s strength lies in its industry-driven curriculum that stimulates thinking and action. Innovative changes in the syllabus are incorporated from time to time to suit the changing needs of business and economy. We ensure that our course curriculum is dynamic enough to catch up with the demands of the industry and equip our students to face the challenges.

8.  With so many B-Schools offering courses designed keeping the global scenario sharply in focus, why do students still opt for foreign universities for ‘further studies’?

Perhaps, the misconception that a degree from a foreign university opens more doors of success is behind this choice. On the other hand, we also find foreign students coming to India for further studies. So it is an individual choice to choose the college from where one wishes to pursue higher studies. I believe that management colleges in India are equally equipped to groom future leaders as colleges in any other country.  FORE has reputed faculty and competitive syllabus along with corporate exposure which makes it a business school to reckon with.

9.   Does a working professional have a different perspective towards management than an out-of-college graduate? What do you attribute this shift to?

I think there is a shift in perspective. I would attribute this to the exposure that a working professional already has to the working of an organisation.  Hence, he is more likely to have an open and practical approach towards management. He will be able to identify with the case studies and apply his knowledge to come with innovative solutions. On the other hand, a graduate might have a very academic approach to the program and look at it from an exam point of view. But the advantage is that, a management graduate will be equipped to face the challenges on the job having acquired the requisite skills before getting into the real world.

10.  Some students have it all: the knowledge, the sharpness, the focus. Still they lack communication to put their thoughts across. What do you think about this?

Communication is a crucial skill for the future managers and the lack of it can affect performance at the workplace. FORE focuses on developing communication skills of the students through additional training in this crucial skill. Even during discussions, attention is paid to the presentation and communication of the students. Students are made aware of the importance of language skills and are encouraged to hone them.

11.  How do you choose your part time PDGM faculty?

FORE has reputed faculty, educated and trained from renowned educational institutions with senior level work experience in industry. These people are exposed to the state-of-art-technology, contemporary business situations through live projects.  The PGDM faculty are among the best in the industry. They nurture talents in students while contributing to the expansion of the body of knowledge in their field of expertise.