Rethinking Success: IMI Kolkata Director Urges Students To Look Beyond First Salary

In a recent statement, Dr. Mohua Banerjee, Director of IMI Kolkata, urged MBA aspirants and young professionals to move away from equating success solely with their first salary. She noted that placement headlines and “highest CTC” announcements often overshadow deeper questions about learning outcomes, role relevance, and long-term growth.  

Banerjee explained that while salary is a tangible and easily comparable metric, it fails to capture the evolving realities of the workplace, especially in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, sustainability, and rapid skill disruptions. She stressed the importance of cultivating adaptability, ethical reasoning, and continuous learning to thrive in dynamic job markets.  

Key Highlights  

• Indian students often equate success with first salary packages  
• Placement season headlines reinforce salary-centric definitions of achievement  
• Dr. Banerjee argues this mindset ignores long-term career sustainability  
• Critical skills like adaptability and ethical reasoning are essential in AI-driven markets  
• Success should be measured by growth, relevance, and impact rather than short-term pay  

Final Takeaway  
The IMI Kolkata director’s message is a timely reminder for students to prioritize skills, resilience, and ethical values over immediate financial gains. By broadening the definition of success, India’s future workforce can build careers that are both sustainable and meaningful.  

Sources: Hindustan Times, Central Times, BusinessLine