From Engineering to Analytics: Vaishanth SOIL PGDM Journey

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From Engineering to Analytics: How SOIL’s PGDM Shaped Vaishanth’s Career Leap

13 Jun 2025
- admin
- PGDM
In today’s ever-evolving job market, switching career lanes isn’t uncommon, but doing it successfully and purposefully is a challenge. For Vaishanth, a former Senior Quality Associate at Amazon with a background in mechanical engineering, the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) at SOIL Institute of Management proved to be more than just a degree. It became a journey of transformation, growth, and new beginnings.

From SRM to Amazon: The Starting Point

After completing his B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from SRM, Vaishanth landed a coveted role at Amazon. Over the course of nearly three years, he managed a team of 30–40 people across locations like Delhi and Mangalore. His responsibility? Ensuring quality and consistency in search relevance. But despite the leadership exposure, something felt missing.

“The next step at Amazon was to move into a managerial role,” he shares. “But I realized I lacked some of the core managerial competencies. That’s when I started considering an MBA.”

Why PGDM at SOIL?

When researching programs, the SOIL Institute of Management stood out. Unlike traditional B-schools, SOIL emphasized holistic development with a strong focus on Design Thinking, character building, and industry engagement. The PGDM curriculum aligned perfectly with Vant’s goals: to gain managerial skills, explore new domains, and transform into a more versatile professional.

“What attracted me was their unique emphasis on design thinking and projects like the Dharamshala community service. SOIL was offering more than just academics—they were nurturing future-ready leaders,” he adds.

SOIL Experience: More Than Just a Classroom

From day one, Vaishanth felt the difference. The induction week helped him break the ice with batchmates and introduced him to SOIL’s inclusive, experiential learning culture. Early on, students were exposed to core subjects, but soon moved into areas that set SOIL apart, such as intensive Design Thinking workshops and real-life case-based projects.

During Term 2, preparation for the Summer Internship Program (SIP) began. With regular weekend sessions on resume building, mock interviews, and group discussions, SOIL left no stone unturned. Vaishanth also appreciated how design thinking wasn’t just a theoretical concept but a practical tool applied across live projects, seminars, and discussions with industry experts.

The live case studies and hands-on exposure gave me an edge I never expected,”

Cultural and Club Life

Beyond academics, Vaishanth actively contributed as an executive member of SOIL’s Cultural Club and Design Thinking Club. He helped organize the Design Thinking Festival, hosting 15 prominent experts, including CEOs and senior leaders. These interactions exposed him to how organizations are applying these principles to create impact.

“These experiences helped develop soft skills and leadership capabilities which are essential in today’s workplace,” he adds.

Internship at TVS Motors: Bridging Theory with Practice

Vaishanth secured a Summer Internship at TVS Motors as an HR intern—a position that challenged him to apply classroom theories in a real-world setting.

“I was questioning what I had learned, testing it in a real business context. That kind of learning you don’t get from textbooks,” he notes.

This experience helped him sharpen his understanding of analytics and human resources, two areas he was keen to pursue further.

Final Placements and a Promising Future

After completing his internship, Vaishanth returned to SOIL with renewed focus. The second year of the PGDM focused heavily on placement preparation. Daily training sessions on aptitude, mock interviews, and case-cracking prepared him for the final hurdle.

He landed a role at WEO as a Functional Consultant in the analytics space—an ideal match for his PGDM specialization. Vaishanth credits SOIL’s placement preparation and career services for this success.

I never thought a PGDM would transform me this deeply. The knowledge, peer learning, mentorship—everything aligned perfectly,” he says.

PGDM at SOIL: Who Is It For?

SOIL’s PGDM program is tailored for young professionals seeking transformation. With strong industry tie-ups, a robust curriculum, and a unique focus on personal development, it creates future leaders who are not just academically proficient but emotionally intelligent.

With options to specialize in areas like Business Analytics, HR, Marketing, and more, the program caters to diverse aspirations.

Vaishanth’s story echoes the essence of the program. From leading Amazon teams to finding his calling in analytics, he used SOIL as a launchpad to evolve, re-skill, and succeed. For anyone wondering whether a PGDM is worth it, his journey provides a compelling answer.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a working professional aiming to realign your career goals or expand your managerial capabilities, SOIL’s PGDM program deserves your attention. With transformative learning modules, real-world exposure, and strong placement outcomes, it offers not just a degree but a launchpad for the next phase of your career.

Explore more about PGDM student life, financial aid, and placement outcomes.