Interview With I

Tushar Kataria, B.Com(H), DBF, ADF, MBA (XLRI)

Since I have now become a “MBA”, part of the elite class of people who “have been taught the mantra to rule the business world”, I have become a local celebrity of sorts. Hence, obviously, ek interview to hona hi chahiye, right? Excerpts from an interview that Mr. Interviewer (I) had taken recently of this not-ordinary-anymore gentleman:

I: So Mr. Kataria, you are an MBA now…from XLRI…what was your specialization –HR or IR?

Me: Ummm, No…neither…I have…

I: Oh, so you’ve done both, is it?

Me: No No, I wanted to say that I have graduated from the BM batch, not from PM&IR

I: (Visibly disappointed) Oh! Not the flagship course, huh…? Well OK…you are a MBA nevertheless…

Me: (Mix of defense and offense) Excuse me, but the BM batch is equally capable and talented..

I: Of course, Of course…I meant the same, please don’t take offense…So how does it feel now, having graduated from one of the most elite Institutions in one of the most sought after courses in the country?

Me: (Smiling now, feeling good!) Well, it feels great…still taking a while to sink in that the course is complete…the Diploma’s in my hand…

I: So…which company are you working with now? I am sure you must have been inundated with offers…!

Me: (Smiling politely) Er…I didn’t sit for placements…I am going to do my business

I: (Appalled) What?! You are a MBA and not going to do a job! Then why did you do it in the first place!?

Me: [Aside: I don’t know for how long I will have to answer this question!!] Because I wanted to do it.

I: Don’t you think that by taking such a decision, you have stolen a seat from a student who could have studied and done a good job? And don’t you think that this decision of yours has also deprived the industry of a professional they could have got from here? You very well know that the corporate world is short of able managers…

Me: No, I don’t think I have “stolen” a seat from somebody else. The interview panel questioned me on various topics, just like they questioned others. Out of all of them, they came to a conclusion that I was a better fit than the rest of the candidates! So anybody else wouldn’t have done justice to the seat.

As for the industry, which industry are you talking about? This is a random, meaningless statement. Even I am working in an “industry”. I have my own business and that is better than any job. And by which definition does every employee become a “professional”? I think XL is (and should be) proud of its breed of entrepreneurs!

As for the shortage, well, look at it this way – (i) one more manager is not going to help any corporate; (ii) an average entrepreneur is going to contribute more to the nation’s kitty and to his own than an average graduate in a job in his lifetime;

An MBA is not a course meant only for a job. It is finishing school, at the end of which you are expected to know your calling for a career. This is my career. This is my profession. My business.