Bikram Bose- London Business School
Name: Bikram Bose
Age: 28 years
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Education: (undergrad) National Law School of India University, Bangalore
Current MBA program: London Business School
Describe a typical day as a MBA student
To be honest, there isn’t a typical day (at least not in my first year at LBS), your schedule depends on whether it’s Term 1 (where there’s a lot of socializing), term 2 (where there’s a lot of socializing AND recruitment events) or Term 3 (where there could be a mix of first two terms and many more treks).
So a typical day, taken in a vacuum, includes 2 classes (starting at 8.15 am if you’re unlucky, like I was in Term 3), some group/ assignment work, time to read up on industry news and go for coffee chats with potential employers, hit the gym, and have plenty of time to get drinks with classmates (usually starting at LBS’ pub, the Windsor).
Where did you work before enrolling in business school?
I worked as a corporate lawyer for 3 years at a large law firm in India, in their M&A and Advisory team. Post that, I shifted my career focus and moved to Sony Music where I worked for 2 years in their Music Publishing team in a business development role.
Why did you choose this business school?
I chose LBS for 3 reasons:
1. Location in London, a global city – I knew I wanted to work at a firm that works at the intersection of technology and media, and opportunities for such roles are more readily available in big cities. London is both a tech
and media hub, and LBS’s access to top companies in both spaces was very alluring.
2. The people – I interacted with many LBSers during my application process and each one was accomplished yet friendly, warm and always willing to help. I realized I wanted to be part of such a cohort.
3. Prestige – the LBS brand and ranking of the program on FT was a major draw, as it validated the excellence of the program (both academically and career wise).
What’s your best advice to an applicant to your school?
LBS focuses on Fit a lot – it’s important to demonstrate why you want to be at LBS. You can do this through a variety of ways – attend info sessions, reach out to club presidents, talk to student ambassadors and visit the school if you can. The last part isn’t essential, but the rest can be done remotely and should be undertaken by applicants to show LBS that they’re serious about being part of the community.
What is/was the most enjoyable part about business school?
Getting to know the amazingly bright and talented people through social events and treks. Treks are some of the most fun activities at LBS and a great way to make deep connections. One highlight for me was the Snow Trek. 200 of us went to the French Alps and skied for 1 week – I had never skied before but there were plenty of beginners and we took classes together. What capped off the amazing sights and the rush of skiing was the apres skiing, i.e. after skiing parties on the slopes – EPIC!
What is/was the hardest part of business school?
First term was pretty hard both academically and getting used to the pace of life at Business School. As I’m from a non-traditional background, I struggled a bit with corporate finance and accounting. But my classmates set up Peer to Peer tutorials which were super useful! Apart from that, maybe the recruitment period can be tough, especially if you get off to a slow start. It doesn’t help that London is at its gloomiest best (around January/ February).
Where will you be working after graduation?
Currently getting done with my first year and about to start my summer internship at Google, UK. Not sure of where I’ll be working post MBA.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career or at your school?
I’m most proud of my decision to quit law and follow my passion to work in the music industry. It was not a very lucrative move, but I wanted to contribute towards an industry I’m passionate about. I’m happy that I could hit the ground
running at Sony Music and that I could learn from some of the best in the business in India.
Favorite MBA Courses?
Negotiations and Bargaining, Brand Management, Managing Organizational Behavior, certain lectures of Business, Government and Society.
Fun fact about yourself:
5 months ago I didn’t know Salsa, in last 5 months I competed in two competitions, including MBAT the largest inter-business school tournament in Europe. It’s an indication of how fast paced and steep the learning curve at Business School is, and it’s not just limited to academics.