How good is SIBM Pune actually in terms of placement and academics?

Here's what you need to know about SIBM Pune regarding placements and academics.

Let's dive into the latest rankings of top MBA colleges in India (as of 2017):

Top Business Schools in India:

• IIM Ahmedabad
• ISB Hyderabad
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Lucknow
• XLRI
• FMS
• IIM Kozhikode
• IIM Indore
• S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research
• MDI
• IIM Shillong
• IIFT
• JBIMS
• NITIE Mumbai
• Shailesh J Mehta School of Management, IIT Bombay
• SIBM Pune
• NMIMS
• IMT Ghaziabad
• TISS

During the 2016-2017 Campus Recruitment Programme at SIBM Pune, the institute had a chance to demonstrate its talented students to various companies, and the corporates showed their confidence in SIBM's capabilities. The placement drive ended positively, greatly supported by the active involvement of the alumni network.

However, it's important to remember that no institution can promise 100% placement. Success in securing a job largely depends on how well students prepare themselves and perform in interviews.

SIBM Pune might not be at the very top like IIM ABCL, XLRI, or FMS, but it's definitely ahead of many tier 2 business schools. If you're into Marketing or HR, the placements are quite promising. Landing a job with a salary of around 18-20 lakh isn't uncommon if you secure a spot on day zero.

On average, the package is about 13.5 lakh, with about 80% of the students getting placed during the main placement season. For those looking for tips on SNAP and SIBM interviews, just a heads up: I graduated a while back, and things have changed. It's best to reach out to recent graduates on LinkedIn for the latest insights.

Glad you asked.

Academics

Let’s start with the positives about academics at SIBM Pune. The curriculum is comprehensive and covers all the key areas. Although there are a few shortcomings, which I'll mention later, you'll definitely feel well-prepared on various topics after finishing B-School. The college does a great job of shaping savvy managers, particularly through co-curricular activities and assignments, which is crucial for roles in Sales and Marketing.

We had some amazing visiting professors. Manasi Phadke was incredible with both her teaching skills and knowledge of Economics. Col. Sunil Brijkishan excelled in Organizational Behavior with his excellent speaking skills. Shivram Apte was fantastic with case studies on topics like NPV and IRR, fostering a business-minded approach.

The specialization system has its ups and downs. While it may have a downside for placements, it’s quite useful for learning. You’ll grasp the essentials of other specializations as well, which boosts your overall knowledge. For instance, SIBM Pune is highly regarded for HR, ranking just behind XLRI and TISS.

Now for the cons: The permanent faculty could be improved. Many students felt they weren’t as strong as those from top schools like IIMs. Another issue is the limited use of case studies, which is a big drawback, especially in core Marketing and HR subjects.

The academic rigor is lacking. You won't find surprise quizzes or the need to pull all-nighters unless you procrastinate. Testing isn't taken seriously, with lots of copying, retests, and flexible attendance rules. This easy-going nature might leave you unprepared for the challenges of corporate life.

Some key subjects don't get enough attention. For instance, Excel Modelling isn’t a fixed course, and Research Methodology only covers basic SPSS techniques, with little focus on analytics. Finance students also mentioned the lack of comprehensive courses on Corporate Finance and exciting topics like Equity Valuation. Subjects like Econometrics and Financial Markets are electives.

Placements

When it comes to placements, SIBM Pune does really well. It’s considered top in the AAA Category, slightly edging out SCMHRD and definitely beating NMIMS and IMT. The best students from SIBM often work alongside IIM grads from the top 10 colleges.

However, some high-end companies and roles are missing, like the Big 4 in Consulting or front-end roles in major I-Banks. A few large FMCG companies like P&G and Colgate-Palmolive aren’t seen, and some big supply-chain firms and consultants for Operations skip SIBM too.

You can find a list of recruiters and placement reports on the SIBM website, but be cautious as the reports might be a bit misleading since they only show average figures. It’s best to talk to seniors instead of relying solely on these reports.

Most students get placed, except those who opt out, are deemed ineligible, or apply too selectively. Placements typically happen in a 4-5 day span, ideally placing around 80% of the batch, but in reality, about 60% get placed then. The rest find jobs in the 3rd and 4th semesters. The top companies come early, so waiting too long might mean compromising on your starting job.