Questions about ISB

[aniket1984]

I am not sure if this is the right section in the BTG forum where my question can get an attention of the current or past ISB student but nonetheless I will give it a try.

1) Are there sufficient networking opportunities in ISB (with the alumni and industry leaders), or, is the school overly focussed on acads like the IIMs?

2) How good is ISB for finance (particularly in fields of Investment Management and Corporate finance). In terms of number of specialized firms coming to the campus, quality of roles offered and the remuneration.

3) How big is the retail finance in India, in general? Is it mostly the back office support for the banks overseas or the Indian players and the domestic markets are big enough. And are good offers made out in this functional area in ISB?

4) And in the domain of strategic consulting, how many offers are made out by the big consulting firms (BCG, McKinsey, Bain Consulting etc.) on average year over year

I did attend an Info session conducted by an alumni in Chicago. But he was from the first batch of ISB so there must have been significant changes since he has left the institute. Also, all the replies were diplomatic in tenor and were like blanket replies.

Any insightful replies are welcome.

Thanks

[FutureWorks]

Hi Aniket,


Most of the questions can be best answered doing some online research, speaking with alumni and looking past class profiles. Answering from expert perspective we could say that ISB is structured more like a global business school. They are not purely academics style. They have alumni speak, international university faculty visiting, industry leaders and more for networking opportunity.
The school is constantly working towards international style b school approach and upgrading itself and its policies. This would be a great school for you to be in. All the best

[ThinkAdmit]

I am not sure if this is the right section in the BTG forum where my question can get an attention of the current or past ISB student but nonetheless I will give it a try.

1) Are there sufficient networking opportunities in ISB (with the alumni and industry leaders), or, is the school overly focussed on acads like the IIMs?

2) How good is ISB for finance (particularly in fields of Investment Management and Corporate finance). In terms of number of specialized firms coming to the campus, quality of roles offered and the remuneration.

3) How big is the retail finance in India, in general? Is it mostly the back office support for the banks overseas or the Indian players and the domestic markets are big enough. And are good offers made out in this functional area in ISB?

4) And in the domain of strategic consulting, how many offers are made out by the big consulting firms (BCG, McKinsey, Bain Consulting etc.) on average year over year

I did attend an Info session conducted by an alumni in Chicago. But he was from the first batch of ISB so there must have been significant changes since he has left the institute. Also, all the replies were diplomatic in tenor and were like blanket replies.

Any insightful replies are welcome.

Thanks

Hi Aniket,

As replied above, most of the questions related to placement numbers can be found on the school's website or by attending the infosessions. As an ISB alum, let me give it a shot anyway,

1. There are more than ample amount of networking opportunities that you will get at ISB. Rather than clearing an exam and interview, the post MBA job prospects depend a lot on how much you find out about the industry or the desired role, and how much you get known. So it is more than just books.

2. ISB is not known for its finance placements typically because of the IB preferred recruitment model of PPO. Due to lack of internship, and being a 1 year program, career switch to finance does not happen. However, people with prior experience do manage to get decent roles in the industry. The finance curriculum and faculty at ISB is above par.

3. In strategy consulting, ISB wins. This sector is one of the most popular. On an average, 5% of the class is recruited by top 2 consulting firms. For more numbers, look up the website for industry breakup. Hope that helps.

[aniket1984]

Thanks Nitin, this information will certainly help me in keeping things in right order.