Amit Sahoo

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore

“Engineer by training, musician by passion, strategist by mindset – driven to build, solve, inspire.”

Hometown: Angul, Odisha

Fun Fact About Yourself: I enjoy capturing cinematic moments and sharing them on my YouTube channel, while curating life experiences on my personal blog. Further, I believe in the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) philosophy, which inspired me to start investing very early in my career.

Undergraduate School and Major: B. Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Kharagpur

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Material Management Officer, Offshore Logistics, ONGC Mumbai

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? What truly drew me to IIM Bangalore’s one-year EPGP was its focused curriculum for experienced professionals looking to pivot or accelerate their careers. Coming from ONGC and a PSU background, I wanted a program that could bridge my engineering roots with strategic and managerial thinking. EPGP’s comprehensive program focusing on diverse range of subjects in business and leadership roles made it a standout. The program’s proximity to India’s tech, startup, and policy ecosystem added further weight. For someone aiming to move from execution to strategy, and from operations to innovation, IIMB offered the exact ecosystem and rigor I was seeking.

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 favourite course has been Decision Sciences by Professor Shankar Venkatagiri. I’ve always enjoyed mathematics and quantitative problem-solving, which I refined further at IIT. This course added immense value to my toolkit, helping me apply analytical thinking to real-world decision-making. Numbers have always excited me, and this class made them even more fascinating.

Outside the classroom, spending late evenings in the music room on the electric guitar and recording jamming sessions became my therapy. It reminded me that in the middle of all the Excel sheets and case discussions, creativity still matters.

What makes Bengaluru such a great place to earn your MBA? For someone like me transitioning from ONGC and the public sector, Bengaluru offered an unmatched exposure to tech, policy, and innovation. Bengaluru offers the best of both worlds, India’s tech and startup nerve centre on one side, and IIMB’s lush, distraction-free campus on the other. The ecosystem here doesn’t just teach you business, it immerses you in it.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Before my corporate career even began, cracking JEE and securing a seat at IIT Kharagpur was my first real test and triumph. Coming from a modest and humble background with limited access to elite coaching or resources, it wasn’t just about academic preparation; it was about mental endurance, self-belief, and consistent grit. That achievement became the foundation for everything I did later, including cracking GATE exam, working in Ola, and then later leading high-stakes procurement operations at ONGC. Cracking IIT wasn’t just an exam win, it was the launchpad that gave me confidence to take on bigger challenges in life and career.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: Co-organizing high-profile sessions for the EPGP Seminar Series including bringing in leaders like Richard Rekhy (Vice Chair, Grant Thornton Bharat & ex-CEO, KPMG India) and representing our cohort in front of such stalwarts was a defining moment.

Equally fulfilling was something less visible but deeply personal: in Term 1, I spent nights helping half the batch prepare for Decision Sciences before the exam, not for any credit, but because I believe growth is better when it’s shared. I’ve never believed in moving ahead alone; if I can lift others as I rise, that’s a win far bigger than a grade.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Uru Brewpark is a go-to for many of us as it’s close to campus, the ambience is amazing, and it’s perfect for catching up after a hectic week. Personally, I also love Hard Rock Café. The music, the energy, the vibe it’s unmatched. As someone who plays guitar and loves music, it feels like home.

What do you hope to do after graduation? I aim to work at the intersection of technology, supply chain, and public policy, especially in areas where data science, AI/ML, and innovation can drive meaningful outcomes in governance and public service delivery. To that end, I’ve taken up a comprehensive project with the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) to deepen my exposure and understanding of how tech can create impact at scale through thoughtful policymaking.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Bangalore? Be authentic. Your journey matters more than perfection. Know your ‘why’ for doing an MBA and articulate it clearly. At IIMB, potential is valued just as much as pedigree.

DON’T MISS: MEET IIM BANGALORE’S EPGP CLASS OF 2026

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