Alumni network plays an enormous role in career progression especially in the first 10 years post-MBA, per a senior leader in Tech in the thread. The senior said: "If it was my kid, there is no way he or she is following your list exactly. The older IIMs - ABCLIK sit way above others once you get out and are in the industry. Your career really takes off after 10 years and the IIM brand and the network is amazing and helps a lot." At IIM Ahmedabad (Rs 27.5L fees, Rs 35.22 LPA avg), IIM Bangalore (Rs 26.2L fees, Rs 34.88 LPA avg), IIM Calcutta (Rs 27L fees, Rs 34.23 LPA avg), and FMS Delhi (Rs 2.43L fees, Rs 34 LPA avg), alumni are positioned at every major Indian and global company's senior leadership. Alumni help opens in 3 key ways: (
- Lateral role access - MBA alumni at senior positions routinely refer juniors into their firms, (
- Industry insider insights - knowing trends, open roles, hiring plans before they're public, (
- Business partnerships - the FMS commenter's example of cousin getting AMEX interview via FMS WhatsApp group. The OP conceded: "An MBA provides you with a starting point in your 30-50 year long career, and I strongly recommend my friends and juniors to opt for the college they believe would provide them with the best starting point." This is the long-term view. For career network access, IIM A/B/C/L/I/K and FMS dominate - anything below is significantly weaker. Don't pick NMIMS over IIM I just because of location. Pick brand + network for 30-year impact. Check your eligibility at collvera.com/eligibility