A year of management education

As my first year of MBA almost comes to a close (just two more days remain), the first thought that comes to my mind is "Is this it?"
Is this all that the great Indian obsession, the much vaunted term "Management Education", adds up to?

How much of management have I really learned, in comparison to what I might have learned if I had stayed back at my old job is an interesting question. Not that I would have really stayed back in my old job but that's because my old company is currently in a pretty bad shape. Rather, if I had continued to be in IT.

Sure there was a slim chance that considering the current economic scenario I might have been laid off, but self-deprecating though I am, I do have enough self-confidence to believe that I wouldn't have been thrown out.

I must confess that I possess little of what are generally acknowledged to be "Management Skills". That is something that you pick up eventually with experience. All I have been equipped with is an uncertain sense of jargon. I am vaguely aware of what most of the terms mean. Also, after a year, I can now confidently sift through the Economic Times and understand the nuances behind the articles, and not be bewildered by the unfamiliar terms, as was the case pre-MBA.

So now, after these two days are over and a 5 day break in between, I move into my Summer Internship phase. Ah! Now this is where the real challenge is going to lie. I have been given a Sales profile and I am uncertain as to how adequately I am prepared for it. Firstly, throughout this past year, I have been somewhat of a social recluse, happy to stick to my room surfing the internet, rather then going out there and networking.

I have managed to make few good friends, but not nearly enough. Now being in sales, my attitude will need to show a 90 degree shift. I cannot afford to be a recluse anymore or I might as well kiss the chances of a Pre Placement Offer goodbye. But this past year I have done little to develop this skill, nor is it something that comes to me naturally.

Anyhow, there's no sense worrying about it now and I guess it is going to be a case of Baptism by fire. I am not unduly stressed about it. One thing I have realized is, I do manage to accomplish stuff in my own special, bumbling and diffident manner. But Boy! Is this internship going to be completely different from anything that I have endeavoured before!
But then this is why I joined to do an MBA in the first place!

Today, when I read my post "Chala Murari hero banane", written just before I had joined my b-school, I find a curious sense of optimism that seems to have somehow, just diminished a little. Mind you, it's just a little dip. I do not think I will be posting again till my Internships are over.

How will it all turn out? What experiences will I have? I am damn curious to peek into the future and find out but unfortunately I have no recourse but to allow things to take their own sweet time.

So until next time, Sayonara!