In conversation with Aakash Sharma, who is currently pursuing his management degree from IBMR Business School, Gurgaon. Let’s understand why Aakash opted for this course and college and what his experience has been as a student, and an education loan borrower, in the new normal world.

Aakash’s academic journey till date

Akash is based out of Kolkata, West Bengal. Prior to pursuing his management degree, he did his graduation in B.Com from Umeschandra College which is affiliated with the University of Calcutta. Post completing his graduation degree, he decided to pursue his Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) from IBMR Business School, Gurgaon. Aakash chose this field for his post-graduation as it will give him the chance to develop strong management skills along with the required knowledge to master this domain. Based on his research, he has realized that such a field will provide him the necessary support to secure a promising career and a brighter future.

About the course

PGDM programme is designed as per industry and the base thrust is on understanding the independent nature of organizational dynamics and its managerial implications. PGDM is not only about gaining knowledge, but it also focuses on real-life implementation and building soft skills. Some of the specializations offered under this programme are Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Financial Management, International Business, Information Technology, Production & Operations Management.

Aakash is currently amidst his second semester. He will be able to opt for a specialization next year. He is interested to take up Marketing Management as his specialization because this is an interesting domain and an extremely vital function in any business operation. It will give him the chance to explore customer perceptions and journeys which are analysed thoroughly to make smart and insightful business decisions.

Thorough research done prior to selecting course & college

During his initial days of research, he did a thorough desktop research to understand the courses, colleges and universities. He consumed content from several student-focused platforms such as Shiksha.com, Collegedekho.com and many more. He gathered information such as fee structure of the courses, placement opportunities, course curriculum, various activities conducted and many more important parameters which helped him finalize the programme and college. He also did research to understand how education loan works and the eligibility criteria he would have to meet to get one. Post this research mechanism, he secured help from a well-known consultancy service provider which assisted him in getting accurate details of various institutes. This consultancy provided impartial advice and excellent service and assisted him in selecting the course, college, submitting applications, and thus, Aakash could make the right decision with ease.

New normal world and new technique of conducting classes

Pandemic has impacted every sector. Schools, colleges and universities across the world had to shut campuses to curtail the spread of the virus. This majorly paved the way for faster innovations in the educational ecosystem. Now we have advanced methods of learning which have been implemented across educational institutions to provide continuity in learning. The journey from traditional setup to the digital setup was not an easy task. But the urge to adapt to the ‘new normal’ helped schools, colleges and varsities to think beyond its brick-and-mortar boundaries. Institutions did not waste much time and quickly shifted to the digital platforms. Students have been attending virtual classes. Not just students, even faculty members had to get trained to conduct online sessions successfully.

Aakash mentioned during the conversation that he had been attending online classes since the beginning of his post-graduation programme. Till date, he did not get the chance to attend in-person classes. He shared a mixed feeling with regards to his overall experience of this new method of learning. As rightly mentioned by Aakash, you need a strong internet connection to attend these classes. If by any chance his internet is slow for a day, it becomes extremely difficult for him to attend the session smoothly. Also, due to this lockdown, he is missing out on the campus experience. He is unable to meet his college mates in person, he is missing the libraries, group studies and overall campus life. While these are some of the major drawbacks according to Aakash, he also mentioned the fact that there are few benefits of online classes too. For instance, you can attend the classes from the comfort of your home. His first semester exam was also conducted online. This was a complete new experience for him. But the good part is, it was not very difficult for Aakash and his other batch mates to take exams online. But Aakash would still prefer in-person sessions and examinations.

Accommodation plans once Aakash reaches Gurgaon

Aakash plans to stay as a paying guest or in a hostel once he travels to Gurgaon for his in-person sessions. He is in touch with a couple of friends who have opted for these facilities. These PGs and hostels are near his college campus and hence, it will be easier for him to travel to and fro. There are ample options for him to choose from. Once he is ready to travel, he will book a place and finalize his accommodation.

Research in terms of education financing solutions

Aakash’s initial step was to check out banks for an education loan to finance his higher education. Due to the pandemic, he faced challenges with regards to his student loan being sanctioned by these institutions. One of his friends who recently completed his post-graduation, suggested that Aakash should try for NBFCs as the process is easier and they offer customized solutions to fund your education. He conducted a thorough research and came across a platform named Credenc. He shared his details and requirements with this platform. This platform helped him apply for an education loan in Avanse Financial Services. As a prudent practice, he also researched about Avanse and figured out about the various benefits and customized solutions offered by this financier.

Aakash’s experience with Avanse Financial Services

The experience has been extremely smooth. The loan amount was sanctioned quickly for which Aakash was able to start his course within the stipulated timeline. The best part was everything was managed from the comfort of his home. According to him, it was a hassle-free experience. He did not even had to visit the branch to get the amount sanctioned. He took this opportunity to thank team Avanse for guiding him through the processes and enabling him to start his course without any trouble even during the most difficult phase. He appreciated the team members for supporting him during these tough times.

Piece of advice for all students who aspire to be where Aakash is today

Aakash rightly mentioned that what you do and plan today will have a huge impact on your tomorrow. A student needs to plan his/her career path wisely. Do your research, speak to your peers and make an informed decision. Do not rush as these decisions are extremely crucial. Be patient and keep your ears and eyes open. Right decisions today will help you build a promising future tomorrow.

Team Avanse will bring more such experience sharing articles exclusively for you. Stay tuned for more. If you have any queries on how education loan works or require assistance, you can reach out to us. All the best!