Vivekanand PGDM Alumni Review: Mr. Gaurav Landge’s Journey from Student to Recruitment Lead 

Mr. Gaurav Landge (PGDM Batch of 2019-2021) calls his experience at Vivekanand, Mumbai as one of the most rewarding time of his life. Inquisitive and strong-willed, he could not afford to miss any chance to learn. Today, Mr. Gaurav is the Recruitment Lead at Pioneer Infotech (P) Ltd. He shares, his two years at Vivekanand was not only an opportunity to develop his working skills, but also his attitude and confidence to take on the leadership position.

Here’s what Mr. Gaurav shared in his words about his journey:

1. Which part of the PGDM journey influenced you the most and why?

I would say that my experience in the CSR group made a great difference. Prior to this, my understanding of management was all about achieving results and performance. However, once we began carrying out social projects, it opened my eyes to the fact that people, empathy and making a difference are also part of leadership.

The projects provided me with an understanding of how teamwork should work in a real sense. I also understood that teamwork happens when individuals meet not because they are instructed to do so, but because they have a strong desire to transform. 

Another thing that stood out for me was the guest lectures. Hearing the people in the industry speak about their experiences helped me to have a clear picture of how the outside world is. It helped me to relate better to what we had studied in class.

2. How did Vivekanand prepare you for real-world challenges?

Well, when I recall my time at Vivekanand, learning did not seem restricted to books With each lesson, each case study there was some ground feel to it. We were not simply memorizing ideas, but we were putting them into practice. 

The experience at the internship was a true combination of fun and chaos. I did not get everything right, there is no doubt about that, but the missteps were indeed guiding me on how to make amends, cope with stress and remain calm. I believe that was the place where I could learn what the term industry-ready means. It does not mean knowing it all but being willing to learn in the process. 

These experiences actually molded me such that I started taking on challenges in the real world.

3. How did the faculty, placements, or industry exposure support your journey?

Indeed, the faculties at Vivekanand were never intimidating and could make the process of learning to be fun. They gave practical examples to illustrate even the complicated issues, and this made me grasp things with ease. I was impressed by the fact that they linked academics with practice.

The placement cell was extremely supportive. They guided us throughout the process.  Preparation process which consisted of refining our resumes to mock interviewing, was indeed comprehensive and it worked when we finally met up with real recruiters.

Also, we experienced industry exposure. We had an opportunity to talk directly with business leaders through the seminars, panel discussions and talks by the guests. It enabled us to learn what companies seek in management professionals.

4. What are your top three reasons to recommend Vivekanand to future students?

In case one is planning about trying a PGDM, I would certainly recommend Vivekanand. The main reasons I would recommend it are: 

First would be the faculty support – they are your mentors, and they are interested in your learning and growth.

Second, the practical exposure – internship, projects and real-life experiences prepare you to face the corporate world.

And third, the overall development – CSR work to seminars and student-led activities you get the opportunity to grow as an individual, not only as a professional.

Looking back, I believe that the two years did not only equip me with a career but also influenced my manner of thinking as well as working and even leading people. I still use the values and lessons I acquired in my course of study at Vivekanand to guide my life on a day-to-day basis.