Bhagyeshwari Chauhan

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

“Travel lover, writer, amateur photographer, and movie buff passionate about marketing and storytelling.”

Hometown: Jaipur, Rajasthan

Fun Fact About Yourself: If not an engineer or an MBA grad, I would have taken a career as a commercial pilot (coming from a family of one).

Undergraduate School and Major: LNMIIT, Jaipur (B-Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Marketing Manager at Hashwave Technologies

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of IIM Bangalore’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I was particularly drawn to the program’s emphasis on experiential learning. The way the courses are designed to make you think on your feet and tackle real-world challenges is truly unique. This hands-on approach ensures that we not only understand theoretical concepts but also apply them in practical, high-pressure situations. It prepares us to face the dynamic business environment head-on, making us agile and adaptive problem-solvers.

What has been your favorite course or extracurricular activity at IIM Bangalore? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? My favorite courses so far have been the ‘Competition and Strategy’ course by Professor R Srinivasan and ‘Brand Management’ by Professor YLR Moorthi. They’ve completely transformed the way I think about strategy and marketing, teaching me to view them not just as business functions but as integral parts of creating value and competitive advantage.

On the extracurricular front, I took the opportunity to immerse myself in various sports at IIMB, something I lacked before coming here. This not only allowed me to explore new interests but also helped me build leadership skills and camaraderie with a variety of like-minded folks. The experience of working together as a team, pushing our limits, and celebrating victories has been incredibly rewarding and has enriched my overall MBA journey.

What makes Bengaluru such as great place to earn your MBA? Bengaluru has an energetic vibe and an extremely welcoming community, making it the perfect place to get a well-rounded MBA experience. Here, you can learn, grow, and make lasting connections. Known as the Silicon Valley of India, Bengaluru is home to major companies in tech, biotech, finance, retail, and more. This means you get to explore different fields, learn from multiple industries, and shape a versatile career path.

For me, Bengaluru is a melting pot of ideas and people, creating a lively environment perfect for learning and networking. Whether I’m having discussions in a café, attending a tech event, or meeting people at a startup meetup, I always feel like I’m in the middle of the action.

The city’s great weather and many recreational activities also help me balance my intense academic schedule with fun and relaxation. Whether it’s brainstorming in a quirky café or enjoying a weekend trek in the nearby hills, Bengaluru offers the best of both worlds.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My personal accomplishment in my career so far has been making the bold decision to switch from engineering to marketing. I rejected offers from prestigious schools like NYU and TU Berlin for engineering management admits to pursue a completely different path. It was a bit scary at first, but I took a leap of faith and started from scratch in the marketing field.

I began working with early-stage startups, helping them grow and thrive over the years. This journey has been incredibly rewarding, as it allowed me to dive into a new industry and build a new career from the ground up. Taking this risk to follow my passion for marketing, despite my background in engineering, has been my proudest achievement.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: A significant accomplishment has been working on an issue that is personal to me as part of my entrepreneurial project. After witnessing the challenges of elderly care within my own family and among close friends, I was inspired to take it up as a project in my Entrepreneurship management course.

In a team of five, we developed a minimum viable product (MVP) idea for an elderly care service aimed at providing comprehensive support and assistance to the elderly living alone. This project not only allowed me to apply my MBA learnings in a real-world context but also gave me the opportunity to address a pressing social issue of personal importance. 

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Our class’s favorite hangout away from school is Mykos, a charming Greek restaurant right opposite IIM Bangalore. We gather there because it offers a perfect escape from our hectic schedules, with delicious food, a relaxed atmosphere, and great conversations.

What do you hope to do after graduation? After graduation, I aspire to take on a strategic marketing role in a leading technology or software company. My goal is to leverage my background in SaaS and the advanced knowledge gained from the EPGP program at IIM Bangalore to drive innovative marketing initiatives and business growth. I am particularly interested in working on projects that integrate cutting-edge technology with creative marketing strategies to enhance customer engagement and market presence. Additionally, I hope to mentor and inspire the next generation of marketing professionals, sharing the insights and experiences I’ve gained throughout my career.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Bangalore? First and foremost, believe in yourself. Your strengths and weaknesses are unique to you, and what you may see as a setback could be your biggest advantage in your application. Have faith in your career achievements and confidently present your strengths. Even if you think you’ve accomplished less than others, you’ll be amazed at how differently the world perceives you.

For IIM Bangalore specifically, the program aims to enhance the skills of individuals who are professionally prepared and have the potential to emerge as future leaders. Highlighting examples of your managerial and leadership abilities at any level in your career will add immense value to your application and interview. Remember, taking a leap of faith and selling yourself hard is crucial. Believe that you deserve to be at IIM Bangalore and convey that confidence in your application. Show how your unique experiences and perspectives will contribute to the IIM Bangalore community, and you’ll stand out as a compelling candidate.

DON’T MISS: MEET IIM BANGALORE’S EPGP CLASS OF 2025