The Finance Experience of an IMT Ghaziabad DCP Student: A Comprehensive Guide
This article is based on the personal viewpoint of an alumni who has taken a finance major at IMT Ghaziabad. It aims to provide an insight into the program's offerings, challenges, and opportunities, highlighting a mix of academic, practical, and professional experiences.
Course Structure and Specialization
At IMT Ghaziabad, the DCP program follows a structured curriculum that progressively builds upon the student's foundational knowledge. The finance courses offered in the first three terms include two accounting courses and Corporate Finance. These courses ensure that all students have a strong grounding in the basics of finance. In the fourth term, students have the freedom to choose their major, which in this case involves participating in a variety of subjects such as Financial Statement Analysis, Business Valuation, Working Capital Management, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Restructuring, and Project Appraisal and Financing.
Second year at Ghaziabad introduces a level of autonomy in course selection. Students can choose electives from a predetermined set of subjects and specialize in topics such as Marketing, Finance, IT, Operations, or HR. In the final two terms, students are required to take Cross Functional General Electives to broaden their knowledge base and enhance their versatility.
Faculty Experience
The academic experience at IMT Ghaziabad is a blend of Indian and international faculty. While both have their unique strengths, the Indian faculty tends to provide a more engaging and comprehensive learning experience. According to my personal experience, Professor Rajesh Sir’s Business Valuation course stands out as one of the most enjoyable and enlightening. The diversity in teaching styles and expertise of the faculty members ensures that students receive well-rounded education and insights.
Internship Opportunities
Internships play a crucial role in the DCP program, providing practical experience and industry exposure. At the Dubai campus, students have the opportunity to participate in a Short-Term Project (STP) which acts as a mini-internship and an entry into the Middle East corporate world. Despite the limited availability of these opportunities, some students managed to secure them, and a few chose to convert these projects into internships. The trend in the Middle East is to hire interns for 6-8 months, which contrasts with IMT’s program structure that permits only a 2-3 month internships. However, this characteristic suits well with the Indian market context.
Noteworthy finance internships offered at campus include opportunities with Landmark Group. The internship market in Dubai, particularly in finance, is still evolving, and there is a shortage of high-quality internship and job opportunities. However, IMT’s flexible internship structure allows students to explore various options and find suitable placements.
Final Placement Opportunities
Final placement opportunities for DCP graduates at the Ghaziabad campus are robust and well-structured. The placement process involves competing with DCP students for roles. Some students are offered permanent placement opportunities (POO) based on their internships. The final placement report, available at a specific link, details the companies and roles offered. Given the scarcity of high-quality finance internships in Dubai, the placement opportunities in Ghaziabad are significantly more focused and diverse. Candidates from the finance specialization are particularly sought after, as they bring a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to the table.
Interviews for these roles are highly technical and evaluate the candidates' knowledge and application skills. A strong USP, such as competition victories and various certifications (like CFA and FRM), can significantly enhance a candidate’s profile. While a CFA may serve as an additional asset, not all recruiters prioritize it, and it is advisable to consult professionals before pursuing such certifications.
Competitions and Certifications
Pursuing additional certifications such as CFA and FRM can strengthen a student's profile, although they are not mandatory. Around 25 students from the batch took the CFA Level 1 test, and some have even completed L2 and L3. Certain companies have a preference for CFA candidates, but this is not a deal-breaker for FRM certification.
In addition to academic requirements, DCP students participate in various general management and strategy-based competitions, including CFA Research Challenge, Credit Research Challenge, FLIP National Challenge, and FinShiksha Learning Championship. These competitions not only add a competitive edge to their resumes but also enhance their practical skills and networks.
Second year saw a positive shift in the finance specialization with an increase in faculty, firms visiting for internships, and placement workshops. This improvement reflects the growing demand for finance expertise within the program.
In conclusion, the DCP Finance program at IMT Ghaziabad offers a challenging yet rewarding academic and professional experience. While there are challenges related to internship and placement opportunities, the structured curriculum and practical exposure make it a valuable learning journey for aspiring finance professionals.