Chandrasekhara Sowmya
Previous company: Indian Army
Sector: Defense Services
Work Experience: 8.3 years
Professional Interests: Operations, General Management and Strategy & Leadership
Other Interests: Equestrian Sports

Tell us something about your experiences in the armed forces.
The experience of being in the “OLIVE GREEN UNIFORM”; being accepted as a leader by thousands of dedicated soldiers; placing the interests of the nation first, the troops next and that of self last; the feeling of pride, honour and respect; the unforgettable instances, the royal treatment and last but not the least, the sense of satisfaction that I derived from my career in the armed forces cannot be expressed in words.

What were the reasons that made you opt for management studies at the ISB?
ISB is ranked amongst the top B-schools in the world and not only has an internationally oriented curriculum and a global perspective, but also the best faculty from leading schools. Having had a rich experience and an exposure to various aspects of management in the Army for 8+ years, I wanted to arm myself with formal business education before stepping into the corporate sector.

The 1 year course at the ISB will equip me with not only the requisite knowledge to deliver the best for my organisation but also the confidence to stand tall on my convictions and follow my dreams.  The PGP course at the ISB delivers perfectly in terms of duration, quality, location and cost of education.

In what ways do you think your peer group can influence your education?
Each individual at the ISB is competitive, talented, inspiring and extremely proficient in his/her field. The students have an ocean of knowledge and experiences to share. Every perspective gives a different angle to the thought process and aids in a better and complete learning. I believe that each and every interaction with my peers will help in my overall development. In short, the peer group at the ISB will not only help discover my true potential but also derive the best out of me.

Among all the core courses which is your favourite so far and why?
My favourite would definitely be Statistics as I am a person who loves and thrives in challenges. This was one subject which was extremely difficult for me to comprehend. But gradually as I learnt the basics and the applicability of it, I realised how great an impact it has on decisions made by business leaders today. After all the hard work that I have put in, I now realise that I am actually enjoying the subject.
 
Having successfully passed the water-tight admissions at the ISB, what tips you would like to give to a prospective applicant?
Carry out an extensive self evaluation to identify what you want to achieve, your interests, capabilities and shortcomings. A research about the ISB will also help you analyse if it’s the right place for you. Plan in time; improve your skills/scores/profile to face tough competition. Get in touch with the admissions office/current students/alumni to know more about requirements specific to the ISB. If possible, visit the School once before the admission process.