Engineering to Strategy: How a Mechanical Intern Justified the MBA Dream at IIM Ahmedabad
Candidate Profile
- Background: Mechanical Engineering undergraduate from a reputed South Indian university
- Work Experience: 6-month internship in a manufacturing unit focused on process optimization
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 93%
- 12th Grade: 95%
- Undergraduate CGPA: 8.98
Interview Panel
- Panel Composition: 2 Male Professors
- P1: Senior Faculty, ~50–55 years
- P2: Mid-career Faculty, ~30–35 years
- Location: On-campus (Ahmedabad)
- Duration: Approx. 30–35 minutes
Interview Questions & Candidate’s Approach
🔵 P1: Tell me something not mentioned in your form.
📌 Tip: Use this to show personality—hobbies, values, or unique perspectives that set you apart.
🔵 P1: What did you do during your internship? What is value stream mapping? Does it consider the customer?
📌 Tip: Be ready to explain technical terms like VSM and how they influence broader business decisions.
🔵 P1: What is TAKT time? Why MBA and not Industrial Engineering?
📌 Tip: Justify MBA through business lens—understanding profitability, demand, customer orientation.
🔵 P1: MBA won’t teach you operations at machine level—so why MBA again?
📌 Tip: Maintain your stance with logical progression—from ground-level understanding to strategic leadership.
Current Affairs & General Awareness
🔵 P2: What newspapers do you read? Which years did India win the Cricket World Cup?
📌 Tip: Even if the topic feels light, take it seriously—sports questions often test presence of mind.
🔵 P2: What kind of news do you follow? Who is José Mourinho? What is his greatest achievement?
📌 Tip: If you cite a niche interest like football, be ready for depth. Know club histories and legendary matches.
🔵 P2: What do you think of American football? Where did Beckham retire?
📌 Tip: Comparisons require awareness—try to address cultural, strategic, or gameplay differences succinctly.
Academic Rigor – Mechanical Engineering
🔵 P1: What is your favorite subject in mechanical? Explain heat transfer types.
📌 Tip: Be thorough—conduction, convection, and radiation must be clearly defined with examples.
🔵 P1: Why does radiation not require a medium? What form does heat transfer take?
📌 Tip: Physics concepts should be crisp. Radiation involves electromagnetic waves—highlight this clearly.
🔵 P1: Why do we define 0K? Why not -273.15K?
📌 Tip: Link to thermodynamics—absolute zero is a foundational idea. Showcase conceptual clarity.
Key Takeaways for Future Candidates
- ✅ Expect intensive grilling, especially if you're from a technical background—clarity is key.
- ✅ Value stream mapping, TAKT time, and other lean terms must be well explained.
- ✅ Current affairs go beyond newspapers—sports, global trends, and personal interests matter.
- ✅ Stand your ground when challenged—but remain respectful and open to feedback.
- ✅ Revise academic fundamentals—interviews often pivot back to undergrad subjects.
📢 Disclaimer: The above interview experience is based on real candidate interactions collected from various sources. To ensure privacy, some details such as location, industry specifics, and numerical figures have been altered. However, the core questions and insights remain authentic. These stories are intended for educational purposes and do not claim to represent official views of any institution. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.
Leave a Reply