Hi
I am Sneha Kaushal an alumni from PGDFM 2010-12 batch. It is my pleasure to write a review about IIFM and to motivate young people to join this institute. The institute provides exposure to many facets of development and conservation which are very novel and new areas as well as give knowledge on traditional MBA subjects like Human resource management, Finance etc. It is a good mix of theoritical learning as well as exposure into practical world. This was first time when I met felllow students from across different states of India and this diversity is also a strength.
The aspect which determines the choice of students is mostly placements and opprtunities that lay after this degree. For me this degree opened up doors which I never knew existed - eg. huge network of Civil Society and Government Organisations , charities, research based organisations and hence I got a broad spectrum from what I can choose from. IIFM is very well known in NGOs, banks as well as Ministries which is because of amazing professional commitement and performance of IIFMights in the past.
Overall, I think its a great institution which equips you to think differently and do well in your career. The support of alumni exists nationally and internationally which is also a major driver of success of IIFM students.
Please reach out in case you have any questions.
Wishing you a great luck in your future endeavours and pursuits.
This is Shashi Prabhakar from PFM 13-15 of IIFM. This is one of the best sectoral colleges and has a very vast alumni base which covers almost all the areas of development and almost all the SDGs. You will also find the alumnus in all the consulting firms.
The institute offers a good placement in a mix of companies varying from the best NGOs, CSR organizations to financial institutions, research organisations and consulting firms to name a few sectors.
The institute provides a very good course pedagogy which is suited as per the needs of current demands.
The campus is one of the most beautiful and will give you a lifetime of memories.
I spent the best time of my life at my IIFM, Bhopal; the two years were incredible. The journey was mesmerizing; the memories are endless (friends, campus, football and field trips to exotic locations). I cannot describe my experience in a single post.
I now have more than ten years of experience, and I believe that IIFM provides a distinct experience that no other B-school provides. Apart from the beautiful campus and top-notch facilities (most). The unique curriculum is a mix of both theory and fieldwork. Here you learn every vital thing that a typical MBA does and more as you are exposed to the intricacies of management, environment conservation, conflicts and much more.
We donât learn only theory but get a more grounded understanding of ground realities and hence are more practical and realistic in our approach, primarily when we work with government, consultancies or development sector organisations.
Most teachers, especially in the conservation and environment area very knowledgeable and are extremely good at what they do. We also have experienced Indian Forest Service officers as faculty who help to provide a more grounded insight into governance.
The best part is field trips or internships as you go to the field and have first-hand experience of concepts, problems, issues and possibilities that you were taught in class.
Apart from the distinctive curriculum, what sets IIFM apart is the experience of the journey and the friends we make.
I recommend exploring your horizons to get the best out of the facilities and opportunities that IIFM provides. Our batch was very active in organising extracurricular activities. Despite the hectic academic schedule, people enjoyed their time so much that even the locals (almost) always spent their time on campus.
IIFM is one of the few institutes in India that opens up opportunities across a diverse range of sectors.
It gives you an ample choice:
Those interested in the conservation sector can work with state governments, non-profits, conservation organisations and institutions working to uplift the poor and oppressed. Students wishing for typical corporate jobs also have plenty to choose from banks, corporates and consulting firms. People who want to work in the environment, ESG and sustainability domain also can choose from sustainability verticals of many corporates that recruits from campus.
More importantly, one can quickly move from one sector in the middle of their career as IIFM prepares us for many possibilities.
Studying at IIFM was a unique and enriching experience for me. The curriculum provided me with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a researcher in the development sector. I have always loved working with data, and IIFM added much-needed meaning to my work by exposing me to the environment, sustainability, and development discourse.
It is one of the best management colleges out there and doesnât just cater to a niche. It does equip you better to understand the intricacies of the discourse on the environment, sustainability, and development if you are interested in working in those fields. The institute has a very active alum base in diverse sectors eager to help and engage.
Additionally, the years you spend at IIFM are magical; the campus amid nature is bliss, and the campus life is lively. You will be engaging in numerous activities through the various clubs and sometimes even assignments and learning firsthand how to apply your learnings in a real-life scenario. The field visits will expose you to real-life problems and innovative solutions implemented by various stakeholders, which will help expand your thinking. In case any of you has specific questions that you want to be answered, please reach out, will be happy to help.
Iâm Shailesh Kumar from PFM 2001-03 batch.
Studying at IIFM was a life altering experience for me. Initially, I wasnât sure what I was getting into. I joined because of the Indian Institute tag, high ranking at the time and low fee. But the immersive experience completely changed my paradigm. I was exposed to development and environmental issues, ideas and careers which made typical MBA jobs mundane. Now as I look back, the trajectory of my career has been entirely influenced by my days at IIFM and I believe I cannot take up a job without asking myself, how am I contributing to the society. I started my career in microfinance, went to investment banking, then to venture capital or more specifically, Impact Investment and currently work at CXO level at a cutting edge health-tech company, where I had once invested.
The days at the campus were blissful. We had to ourselves a sprawling lush green campus, resembling a resort with top notch facilities. There were so many games that I played for the first time in my life. I made lifelong friendships. Coursework, though not hard, was engaging and provided you a perspective. It was up to you to dig deeper in your area of interest. That is what an MBA or MBA like course should do. And for the first time in my academic life I was really happy. The internships are where most of the learning of the real world professional requirements happened. There were two of them at IIFM.
It was essentially the IIFMite tradition of higher studies that compelled me to apply and secure admissions at Harvard, Columbia and Cornell, after few years of work. I eventually studied at Cornell University on a Fulbright Fellowship in Leadership Development. And I am not the first Fulbright Fellow from IIFM, there is practically one in every batch. I will be happy to answer any questions I am capable of.
IIFM is the right place for graduates who wish to switch their career path to Sustainability.
The course curriculum is constantly updated to equip the students with the latest industry-relevant knowledge and skills, and the mandatory internships give the students the right opportunity to apply those learnings.
Professors at IIFM are domain experts and have a deep understanding of how to balance their efforts between the complexities of sustainability and the practicalities of management.
Living on the campus of IIFM is an experience in itself. Google the images and youâll know.
Paths after doing PGDSM are varied, with the mandatory Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting, companies are actively looking for professionals for the shift towards better ESG practices. Positions in sustainable finance are opening up too.
One can expect the integration of Sustainability in almost all aspects of businesses, and so over the two years of the course, students should try exploring their future options as much as possible.
Total Fees 7.80 Lakh for Two years (Including Hostel Fees)
PGDFM- Highest Package- 38LPA, Median Package- 8.5 LPA (2020-22 batch)
PGDSM-Higest Package-14 LPA, Median Package- 9.0 LPA