Sireesha Yadlapalli
Previous Company: Johnson & Johnson
Sector: Pharmaceuticals
Work Experience: 7 years
Professional Interests: Marketing, Corporate Finance, Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals, Social Sector (Sustainable growth)
Other Interests: Dancing

Reasons for selecting the ISB
After several years of work experience in the US, I could easily have joined the work force in India directly, especially considering the tremendous opportunities now available here. But after thorough research on the ISB, I was convinced that it was a perfect launch-pad back into the Indian market for me. While everything I had heard and read about the ISB (the curriculum, the faculty, emphasis on emerging markets, etc) was all very appealing, the biggest attraction was the opportunity that the School provides to build a tremendous professional network with some of the best and brightest minds in India. In terms of diversity of backgrounds, industries and level of experience of the peer group, ISB was, by far, the best choice.

Your first impressions of the ISB
Fantastic facilities and infrastructure, a remarkable faculty that bring international industry and teaching experiences right into the classroom, an awesome peer group that works hard and plays hard, an intense academic load, lots of studying, and a lot of fun.

Some things a prospective student should know about the ISB
As a working mother, I used to think that I have mastered the art of multi-tasking. I have now realised I was not anywhere near fully utilizing my potential. The ISB really teaches you to stretch yourself at many levels. I am now a believer that no matter where you are in your career and how successful you have been, the ISB really shakes you up, polishes you and helps you reach that next level as an individual- through it’s intensive academic, as well as outside-classroom learning opportunities.

On the resources available to students at the ISB
Here at the ISB we are pampered with state-of-the-art facilities in terms of academics (Learning Resource Centre, access to faculty) as well as accommodation (housekeeping, dining hall, etc.) so that we can purely focus on our personal priorities during the year – be it academics, extra curricular activities or co-curricular activities.

How your peer group contributes to your learning experience at the ISB
The breadth of experience that my classmates at the ISB bring is mind-blowing. Learning here is a continuous process and a large percentage of it happens through socializing, outside classroom interactions. Whether your interests are in the more popular technology/ consulting areas or the lesser known areas such as sustainable social development, you will be sure to find someone on campus who has experience in the area or in the very least has some contacts in that area. This, in itself, is worth spending a year at the ISB.