Apoorv Garg, Class of 2016, completed his PGDM (Marketing, IT), from T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI). As a client engagement manager at Tata Consultancy Services, he looks back on the meaningful contributions from his MBA for his career.
Did you have work experience before you enrolled for an MBA?
Before joining TAPMI, I had 2.5 years of experience with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). I was privileged enough to work directly with our client-stakeholders from India’s largest bank and help them in setting up new applications for strategic modules in the accounts department. This gave me a good exposure to the IT industry, banking industry, and how things work in a corporate world.
What does your role entail currently, and how has the pandemic affected your nature of the job?
I have played multiple roles in my career, ranging from IT pre-sales lead, transition and transformation lead, to program manager. In my current role, I am working as a client engagement manager at TCS and managing essential travel and transportation unit customers across the US and Canada region. Travel, transportation and hospitality is one of the largest economic sectors supporting one in ten jobs worldwide and generates more than ten per cent of global GDP, according to World Travel and Tourism Council. The impact is not only economic but also social.
I would say, this industry is the most affected due to pandemic; at the same time, it is also very resilient and can rebound quickly. The trends which we see today is evolving based on changing demands. Customers are making strategic decisions and investments in advanced technologies such as AI/ML, cloud, AR/VR while also engaging in human interactions to achieve a seamless consumer experience. There has to be a balance of human touch and technology to attract consumers for travel. Hopefully, soon people will start travelling back again as they used to earlier.
What are the B-school learnings that you are applying in your work?
Well, the list is long for me. Building good relationships with people, managing your time and priorities, are some of the takeaways during my MBA at TAPMI which I continue to apply.
Do you think there was something missing when you did your MBA that you feel should have been included/taught?
My journey at TAPMI was a roller coaster ride with enormous amounts of learning and great memories. If I have to say what can be included/taught, I would say business storytelling is something that should be included in the curriculum, as it can help accelerate the careers of students.
What would you like to say to students looking to pursue an MBA?
Be bold and resilient. Don’t just look at MBA as just another degree, make the best of it, and apply the learnings in your daily lives.