Corporate Baithak

August 30, 2025 – IIIM hosted its flagship alumni interaction series, Corporate Baithak, as part of the Alumni–Institute Interface Series (AIIS), organized by the IIIM Alumni Association (IIIMAA), under the theme Focus: Bridging the Industry–Institute Gap. The event brought together alumni from finance, marketing, human resources, and technology to share insights that blended personal stories with professional strategies, offering students a closer look at life beyond campus.

The session was moderated by Mr. Dinesh Dilani, Sr. Security & Privacy Architect, HID Global, who guided the discussion with warmth and wit. The panel included Ms. Divya Tekchandani, Deputy Manager at IDBI Capital Markets & Securities Ltd., Mr. Mrigank Sharma, Lead Experiential Marketing Manager at Hero MotoCorp Ltd., Ms. Rini Bhargava, Senior Manager at HDFC Life, and Mr. Pawan Bhatia, Assistant Vice President at Celebal Technologies.

Alumni began by revisiting their early career transitions, reflecting on the challenge of moving from the structured environment of campus to the unpredictability of corporate life. Each speaker emphasized the importance of setting clear goals and defining a realistic timeline to achieve them, while remaining flexible when circumstances change. They encouraged students to anchor their careers in a deeper personal purpose, noting that success is not measured only by positions or paychecks but by finding meaning in one’s work. The panelists reminded the audience that when goals, timelines, and purpose align, the journey becomes not just about professional growth but about building a fulfilling life.

The discussion soon turned to challenges, where stories of campaign failures, volatile markets, and stalled projects illustrated how careers rarely unfold in straight lines. A recurring theme was the ability to pivot — to adapt plans when circumstances shift. Whether it was changing strategy mid-campaign, rethinking hiring in uncertain times, or redirecting technology projects to meet client demands, resilience and agility emerged as the true differentiators.

Looking ahead, the alumni highlighted that the future will demand not only technical skills but also clarity of purpose and the courage to pivot when needed. They urged students to keep a long-term vision while accepting that timelines may stretch and paths may zigzag.

Closing the session, panelists shared one-line advice they would give their younger selves, before Mr. Dilani left the audience with a lasting thought: “Don’t panic when life takes detours. Even Google Maps says recalculating. Careers aren’t straight lines — they’re zigzags. But with resilience, adaptability, and curiosity, every zigzag still moves forward.” The event ended on an inspiring note, reminding students that while careers may not follow a fixed roadmap, with goals, timelines, and purpose to guide them — and the ability to pivot when needed — every step still leads to growth.