Our students are the real-time owners of the institution, says LEAD College of Management Director

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, LEAD College of Management Director Dr Thomas George K elaborates top three reasons that make their educational institute a class apart from others. He also talks about the college’s placements record and top initiatives that make students industry-ready.

Read the excerpts of the interview below:

Q: What are the three things that LEAD College is doing that differentiates it from competition?

A: First is the admission to the college. The entire process of taking in of new candidates are driven by students of the existing batches. This means eventually that no promotions about the institution through media like print, TV, radio and magazines, etc., (no advertisement at all). Word-of-mouth is the only source for securing admissions in LEAD College of Management ever since inception in 2011 and that too done by the students. Students are the real-time owners of the institution indeed.

Students also take lead in doing most of the operations of the institute, including the housekeeping, maintenance, food and beverage, canteen, hospitality, security, accounts keeping, dealing with stakeholders, admission process, induction of students, internships and placements, etc. There is always voluntary participation of the faculty to augment respective support to each programme

This helps us prepare students to equip themselves with life-skill practices than mere academic accomplishments.  Break Through and Turing Point are the significant two programmes of that kind that transforms the students. While Break Through is a three-day adventure camp for professionals and youth to get in touch with the true spirit of life through exploration of nature. At Turning Point, students are taught to combat hardships, after critically analysing the psychological and emotional factors, thereby face realities courageously.

Q: What are the top three initiatives undertaken by you that are helping your students become more industry-ready?

A: Our facilitators provide a wholesome training programme with an intent to equip the students with the skills required to impress recruiters. We organise evening classes for group discussions, aptitude, news analysis, resume writing, one on one sessions on interview handling and skype.

Past recruitments track record and continuous connections and good will with the recruiters like Redington, Vodafone, Airtel, EY, KPMG, Amul, Biju’s, Tata,Reliance, ESAF, Envestnet, Nestle, Berger Paints, Soft-land India, IDEA Cellular, Federal Bank, OTTO, Impex, OPPO, Decathlon, Grand Fresh, Just Dial, Adithya Birla, Extra Marks, HDFC Ergo, HCL, Future Generali,  Precot Meridian, S&P Global, Cult. Fit, Apollo Munich, Wipro, JK Cement, Splash Math, Merino, to mention a few.

Additionally, our exhaustive and influential industry connect through organisations like NIPM, CII and KIF, etc.

Q: What are the key attributes that a student should have in order to qualify for your institution and later get top grades in your institution?

A: To qualify and get admission to our institute you must be an innovative thinker with analytical and people’s management skills. On the other hand, to excel in the college exam, solution-oriented approach, realistic career plan and entrepreneurship initiatives are important skills.

Q: What are you doing to drive better campus placements for your current students and alumni? What kind of jobs routinely come to campus? What would you say are the key recruitment trends for your college?

A: Our campus placements don’t end with the closing of the academic year. In fact, we continue to help our candidates, who have cleared the exams, even if they are placed elsewhere, assist them continuously during this life time for purposes like change of locations, lateral and diagnol movement by interacting with the alumni data base.

We have about five LEAD alumni clubs operating successfully in various countries other than India who meet periodically and chart out regular plans to assist alumni of LEAD for the betterment of their career perspectives. In addition, they help LEAD to provide guest lecturers, industrial visits and helping internships besides placements.

Some of the key data on LEAD College of Management placements is:

• High-end analytical jobs with pay package of above Rs 7-8 LPA and we call them as prime jobs account for about 30%
• Middle-end managerial jobs with pay package between Rs 4-6 LPA mostly in India in varied industries like FMCG Healthcare, ITES and start-ups account for about 40%
• Low-end marketing jobs largely in NBFCs, Insurance, Retail and tourism that accounts for about 30%