Akanksha Airan

Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

“Problem-solving extraordinaire, fueled by curiosity and a love for spreadsheets.”

Hometown: Indore (Madhya Pradesh)

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I’m a travel enthusiast who believes the best souvenirs are edible!

Undergraduate School and Major: Chartered Accountant- ICAI

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: London Stock Exchange Group, Area Controller (Manager- Global Statutory Reporting)

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? The legacy that IIMA has built and retained for decades has had a lasting impression on many young minds and hearts in our country. I am no exception. It can open doors which seemed shut tight before and provide opportunities to explore your true self and potential. And I can happily say, my expectations are being exceeded already.

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? Microeconomics in term 1, by Prof Vishwanath Pingali, has been my favorite course so far. The reason being, it made so much sense. It helped me develop a broader perspective towards businesses and world in general. It was as if suddenly a lot of pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Magic!

My biggest takeaway from the course – “Know thyself!”

What makes Ahmedabad such a great place to earn an MBA? The best feature of IIMA – by far- is the maestros we have for professors. The energy, dedication and passion they all bring to the classroom in their own unique way, every morning, I repeat, every morning, is simply sorcery.

Second, their cohort selection is fantastic. Though I had my reservations about diversity while pursuing an MBA from India, they were completely misplaced. I have learnt as much from my cohort on a daily basis as from the faculty.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Six months after becoming manager in LSEG for a particular geography, I also had to unexpectedly fill in for another manager and a whole new region. While handling the double responsibility for almost a year was exhausting, I, along with my teams, managed to flourish and deliver top results. I learnt about my hitherto unknown capacity, and dedication towards what I valued most- my team.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: The rigor is real, especially at IIMA. They mean business when they say that academics are to be taken seriously here. I think staying clear-headed and balanced after 3 months is a small achievement.

It is also an accomplishment that I have been able to multitask well- managing academics, few extra-curriculars and still have some bandwidth for close friends that I have fortunately found here- all while being pushed to the edge.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Sabarmati Riverfront – the go-to place in late evenings. It is calm and breezy, great for de-stressing after long hours in the campus and best enjoyed with personal music! Close enough to be frequented, far enough to give the joy of a drive. And free of cost!

What do you hope to do after graduation? While I am still figuring out the intricacies, I want to take a path which would lead towards the C-suite eventually. While entering MBA, I knew few of my strengths, and have found a few more while being here. Five-year goal: I see myself as an impactful leader.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Ahmedabad? Be true to yourself in the application. And be confident in the interview. Show that while you have your unique set of knowledge, skills and experience, you’re still willing to unlearn and relearn.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AHMEDABAD MBA CLASS OF 2025