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‘Professors at the Apeejay School of Management guide you every step of the way’

Kajal Kumari, who has enrolled with the Apeejay School of Management in 2021 and her father Amar Singh, who teaches at a university in Jharkhand, reveal why they picked the institute

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Kajal Kumari, a 22-year-old woman from Jamshedpur, is now pursuing a degree in management at Apeejay School of Management in Delhi. Although far from home, she is ready to make small sacrifices to be able to achieve her career goals. Giving wings to her aspirations is also her father Amar Singh, Assistant Professor, Institute for Education, Kolhan University, Jharkhand, who is equally hopeful that his daughter will reach new heights. In an interview, the duo shares why they chose ASM and how the experience has been so far. Edited excerpts:

Why did you want to pursue a management degree?

Kajal Kumari: I have done B.Tech in Dairy Technology. Although I had first-hand experience in production, it did not seem to be a feasible career option for me. By doing a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), I have the option to either pursue higher education or get placed in a good company, in its management wing. That is why I chose this course.

Why did you zero in on ASM?

Kajal: I evaluated institutes on the basis of their Return on Investment (ROI). I took the Common Admission Test (CAT) examination in 2020 and I cracked it within two-three months, just by preparing at home. I got selected in other colleges too, apart from ASM. But the reason I chose the latter is because it is approved by Association of Indian Universities (AIU) which is equivalent to an MBA degree. AIU approval also allows one to pursue one’s PhD without any time gap. Otherwise, you have to complete a one-year scholarship before applying for PhD, but I did not want to waste time.

How did your family react to the decision?

Kajal: My family has been encouraging. My father is a topper from the Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) and he encouraged me to appear for CAT.

Now that you are away from home, have you settled in?

Kajal: Our session started on August 28, 2021. We began with online classes initially, after which we gradually moved to a hybrid online—offline model. But now, we are again going back to online classes. ASM also arranged for accommodation in a nearby PG. The quality of food and other facilities are good here. So, yes, I feel comfortable.

Amar Singh: ASM has a good reputation. Besides, I had full faith in my daughter that she would make the right decisions for her career.

Tell us about your overall experience till now.

Kajal: The college is very good. The teachers are really encouraging, helpful and student-friendly. They guide you every step of the way. In fact, they are never biased towards any student, especially when it comes to marks. After a topic is covered in class, we have a doubts-clearing session, which is really helpful. Now that we have physical access to the college, our professors have also asked us to visit them anytime in case of any help that we need.

Amar: I have personally visited ASM and from what I observed, I would say the academic environment there is good. There are well-qualified professors, who are motivated and cooperative. From giving placements to extra-curricular activities, the institute strives to boost the student’s overall development. As a member of the same teaching community, I am content to see how dedicated the professors at ASM are.

What do you aim to do in life?

Kajal: First, I want to work after completing PGDM. But I am also eyeing a PhD. I am open to different career options.

Amar: I want my daughter to become an IAS officer. But when she expressed her interest in pursuing management, I encouraged her. For now, she is focused on learning and pursuing higher educational qualifications. But ultimately, she may become an administrative officer.

Disha Roy Choudhury is a Principal Correspondent at Apeejay Newsroom. She has worked as a journalist at different media organisations. She is also passionate about music and has participated in reality shows.

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