From Oil & Gas to Sustainability: Cracking the IIM Lucknow (SM) Interview
Candidate Profile
- Background: Mechanical Engineering graduate with a passion for sustainability and environmental impact
- Work Experience: Approximately 3.5 years (42 months) in the oil & gas sector, focusing on operations and project management
- Academics:
- 10th: 88%
- 12th: 79%
- Undergraduate: 88%
- CAT Percentile: 97.74
- Interview Venue: Welcom Hotel, Bengaluru
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
🟢 Icebreaker & Profile-Related Questions
🔵 Panelist: Give a brief idea about Sustainability Management.
📌 Tip: Highlight sustainability’s role in balancing economic, environmental, and social goals. Mention key concepts like circular economy, renewable energy integration, ESG frameworks, and responsible resource utilization.
🔵 Panelist: What other calls do you have? Why not join new and baby IIMs—they're doing well?
📌 Tip: Stay diplomatic. Acknowledge the progress of newer IIMs but express how specific programs (like IIM L’s SM) align better with your goals.
🟢 Why MBA & Career Alignment
🔵 Panelist: Why SM?
đź“Ś Tip: Emphasize how Sustainability Management bridges your technical expertise with your aspiration to drive sustainable solutions in energy and infrastructure sectors.
🔵 Panelist: Why switch from Oil and Gas to SM?
đź“Ś Tip: Frame it as a natural progression. Talk about witnessing the energy transition firsthand and wanting to be part of solutions addressing climate change.
🔵 Panelist: What are your short-term and long-term goals?
đź“Ś Tip: Keep short-term goals focused on gaining expertise in sustainable practices; long-term could be leading sustainability strategy in an energy conglomerate.
🔵 Panelist: If you had a call for PGP, what would’ve been your first preference?
📌 Tip: Be honest but tactful—acknowledge the prestige of PGP while reaffirming interest in the niche, specialized curriculum of SM.
🟢 General Awareness & Analytical Questions
🔵 Panelist: How does geopolitics affect India?
đź“Ś Tip: Link it to trade, energy security, defense partnerships, and supply chains. Mention examples like oil imports, regional conflicts, and policy alignments.
🔵 Panelist: India’s progress on renewables?
đź“Ś Tip: Discuss targets (e.g., 500 GW by 2030), solar capacity achievements, and government schemes like PM-KUSUM, while noting challenges like storage and grid integration.
🔵 Panelist: Where do you see India’s economy in the next 10 years?
📌 Tip: Blend optimism with realism—touch on digitalization, infrastructure growth, sustainability shifts, and global positioning in supply chains.
🟢 Current Role & Work Experience
🔵 Panelist: Explain your current job role.
đź“Ś Tip: Describe responsibilities, key projects, leadership moments, and any sustainability-related initiatives you contributed to (even indirectly).
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- Prepare strong “Why SM” and “Why sustainability” narratives, especially if switching industries.
- Be ready for macro-level questions on India’s economy, energy, and sustainability policies.
- Showcase transferable skills from prior work, even if not directly sustainability-related.
- Stay updated on India’s renewable energy targets, international agreements, and ESG trends.
- Express clarity in career vision while staying adaptable and open-minded.
📢 Disclaimer: Real Stories, Modified for Privacy
🔍 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.
🔍 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