Sanjana Mehta

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

“A punctilious artisan who weaves excellence with unwavering determination and inspiring spirit.”

Hometown: Vadodara, Gujarat

Fun Fact About Yourself: Practical yet compassionate, M&A professional, mentor, music-lover, foodie, explorer

Undergraduate School and Major:

Undergraduate: Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, BCOM

Graduate (Professional Course): The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, CA

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: K C Mehta & Co LLP, Manager – Transaction Advisory

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of IIM Ahmedabad’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?  To me IIM Ahmedabad was a dream. Before coming to IIM-A, I had always thought of it as a place that could transform individuals. The experience as an IIM-A student has been no less metamorphic in every way.

The PGPX course, in particular, was my most desired MBA program as it provides a platform to experienced professionals, with the hunger to achieve newer heights, to relearn, upgrade their skills, and make a difference. Surrounded by a diverse cohort with a rich experience makes the classroom experience even more fruitful. The campus is full of resources and opportunities such as working on live consulting projects, carrying out independent research programs, and encouraging entrepreneurship, making this place the perfect nurturing ground for the finest minds of the country.

What has been your favorite course or extracurricular activity at IIM Ahmedabad? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? Picking one would be difficult, but my favorite course so far in terms of the ‘metamorphic learnings’ has been marketing. As a Chartered Accountant, I have never got an opportunity to learn or practice marketing. But studying the subject from stalwarts such as Prof. Arindam Banerjee and Prof. Arvind Sahay, has opened my mind up and made me more aware of how customers, clients, and people in general behave. Extending this learning to day-to-day life, I have started looking at everything from the point of view of value creation and I have become more conscious of how I can better add value to others in little things.

What makes Ahmedabad such a great place to earn an MBA? One thing I observed in Ahmedabad is that business runs in the blood of people here. From a small pav bhaji vendor on the roadside, the laundry man who comes to my dorm, to the likes of Adani, the sense of entrepreneurship and customer-centric business etiquette is something that you can feel in Ahmedabad. This makes the city the perfect place for a business school. Besides, for people from outside Gujarat, I believe that the city has a lot to offer in terms of heritage, food, a peaceful life, and a welcoming bunch of people.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As a CA fresher from a small city of Vadodara with no Big 4 internship experience, I initially struggled to get into the M&A space which I always dreamt of getting into. However, with 2 years of relentless and persistent efforts to upskill myself for the job, and multiple hits and misses, I finally made it in the exact profile that I desired. This for me has been my biggest accomplishment in my career because it has help me create a niche for myself, helped me differentiate my profile from that of other CA’s, and contributed to a rich work experience. At the same time, it has instilled a go-getter attitude in me, and I strive to achieve what I put my mind and heart to.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: As an MBA student, my biggest accomplishment is being able to utilize my finance experience to help others who struggle with finance subjects due to their non-commerce background. The sense of fulfillment comes from the appreciation I get from my peers on how my knowledge sharing sessions helped them understand concepts better.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Our favorite hangout away from class is LKP Garden. It is the perfect place to refresh and rejuvenate in nature after a long day. We enjoy sitting there late at night, in the backdrop of the beautiful heritage campus, and playing a game of mafia with friends.

What do you hope to do after graduation? I have worked extensively with Investment Banking firms in high stakes transactions. Leveraging this experience and the pervasive business skills from IIMA, I intend to leapfrog myself into the area of investment banking. To begin with, I intend to gain expertise in the businesses of consumer goods & retail, and therefore would pursue my career in that direction.

Further, I truly believe that CA + MBA is a terrific combination to pursue in today’s business environment. Considering the number of CA’s who have reached out to me over social media seeking guidance on GMAT and admission preparation, I intend to provide mentorship to aspiring candidates and utilize my experience in the best manner possible.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Ahmedabad? My advice to potential applicants would be to apply with clarity of thought on why you want to do an MBA and think about how you see IIM-A adding value to your career and your life. At the same time, try to introspect and be aware of your strengths and weaknesses to make the most of all that this place has to offer. Finally, be yourself when you write your essays and come for interviews, feel free to express your views, and stay put with confidence.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AHMEDABAD MBA CLASS OF 2024