Associate Offers from International Firms / I-Banks Put IIMA Students at Par with Ivy League Grads

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Deutsche Bank, with 8 associate offers, was the largest recruiter at this level. Of these 23 offers, 8 were rejected in favour of entrepreneurship or other roles.

Growing Preference for Entrepreneurship

The past few years have seen a growing preference among students to reject attractive pay packages in order to make it on their own.
This year, as many as 11 students from IIMA have either opted out of placements, or rejected job offers to start their own enterprise. This encouraging trend highlights the confidence IIMA students have in their abilities, and their penchant for taking risks. Two of these students rejected Associate offers in excess of Rs. 1 crore from investment banks to opt for starting off their own venture.

Prof. Piyush Sinha, Faculty Chairperson of the Placement Committee, adds, "Placements at IIM, Ahmedabad have confirmed that IIMA not only provides good education for entry level but also for middle level management as well as for entrepreneurs."

Vishal Prabhukhanolkar, an up-and-coming entrepreneur, said, "The number of students opting for entrepreneurship is increasing over the past few years, and why not? We get to work with the best minds in the country and also get mentorship from highly experienced and respected professors. With the Indian economy booming and the ever-increasing opportunities available to students, this will ensure that IIMA is set to become a centre for entrepreneurship and nation-building."

Gargi Agarwal, a budding social entrepreneur, said, "I plan to work in the field of education. According to me, primary and secondary schooling in India has become very tiresome and unprofitable for students. The basic idea is to provide a healthy learning environment that will prepare children to face future challenges in every field. At IIMA, I have learned the value of hard work and perseverance. It has helped me broaden my vision and build up an indomitable spirit."

Growing Preference for Indian Locations

In what has been another growing trend, 11 students rejected foreign offers in order to take up offers from firms in India and to be a part of the Indian growth story. Jatin Mamtani, who rejected a pre-placement offer from a leading investment bank in order to join a reputed consulting firm in India, says, "My strong motivation to work in the field of consulting due to the quality of work, range of opportunities and the variety that it offers inspired me to stay back in India, and at the same time, be a part of great Indian growth story."

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