Experiential Learning In MBA Helps Me Create Community Impact

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How Experiential Learning In MBA Helped Me To Create Community Impact

24 Dec 2021
- admin
Business situations are often challenging, complex and unfamiliar. MBA courses are often theoretical and leave a gap in application to real world situations. It is, thus important, for b schools to get out of the “Student Mode” and embrace learning that equips them to tackle business problems to create an impact.

There has been a shift towards experiential learning at b-schools as students look to create an impact not only in their careers, but also for the community at large. Recent studies have shown that there is a new thinking amongst those pursuing MBA courses as they look to prioritize impact over mere financial rewards in their career aspirations.

Experiential learning also helps to develop critical soft skills in students that find greater appeal with prospective employers. For instance, skills like project management and team working are developed in a holistic manner through experiential learning projects. At the end of the day, businesses are also leaning increasingly towards community impact.

This brings us to the question – “What exactly is experiential learning?”

A process driven approach where the student is exposed to learning situations that require him to process knowledge, skills and attitudes through personal involvement.

Experiential learning exists when a personally responsible participant cognitively, affectively, and behaviorally processes knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes in a learning situation characterized by a high level of active involvement. It is, thus, more than just cognitive learning as most MBA courses tend to follow. Experiential learning brings people together with common/ shared objectives and draws on the experiences of mentors, industry leaders, coaches etc. In the desire to create an impact, MBA students foster cognition and attitudes through community work and leads to sensitization towards community at large.

MBA courses that are in sync with the fast changing business landscape have moved to experiential learning through community engagement. The students connect with the community, live together, and use their skills and diverse talent through project management and a human-centric approach. The benefit is mutual and this could happen in a number of ways – events, support, course projects, co-curricular projects, internships etc.

My Experiences at SOIL

I believe that each one of us should look to give back to society in any way they can. The guiding principle of my life has been my core belief-of helping people through education. When I decided to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration, I looked around and zeroed in on the SOIL Institute of Management after due consideration and diligence. This was an MBA that had a rather unique belief, one that saw nurturing business leaders of the future who would contribute to the triple bottom line of social wellbeing, ecological sustainability, and shareholder benefits. The teaching methodology of SOIL hinges on the thought that businesses, in the course of their routine operations can create social good, ecological balance, holistic development and healthy international relations if they choose to act in inspired ways. Creating a positive impact for communities is an integral part of this process. What really excited me was their Social Innovation Program – a practical exposure for students to understand the pain points of the society through NGO work.

SOIL Institute of Management follows two experiential learning tracks that focus on the student’s career growth and leadership potential –
- Industry Experiential – where students interact with Industry through activities, project work and internships to provide them with exposure and a platform to develop networks.
- Leadership Experiential – This is a unique track that offers the student opportunities to develop their leadership potential through community work and in the bargain develop their emotional quotient.
As part of my experiential learning experiences during my days at SOIL, I cannot but mention some of the most memorable ones that led me through a journey of self realization.
- The Dharamshala Trip – Our batch took a trip to Sidhbari near Dharamshala. The interaction with the local communities to understand their political, economic & cultural aspects was an eye opener. It enabled me to realize the inequality in development and think of ways in which we can support them.
- Social Outreach – As part of the curriculum, we were required to work with various NGOs. I worked with Udayan Care as part of the Social Innovation Program and managed to learn the transformative effect of CSR activities on the marginalised sections of society. This exposure also allowed me to hone my innate leadership and innovation skills
- Theatre Classes – Theatre classes at SOIL led to a transformation in me at the way I looked at life. The enthusiasm and participative methodology helped me to shed my inhibitions, come out of my shell and enhanced my self – awareness. Theatre actually builds on empathy, teamwork, trust, concentration, memory and was a lot of fun. Simple things, such as the code of ethics from these classes built and reinforced concepts of compassion, mutual respect and dropping judgmental opinions.
- Yoga – Yoga was a graded course in the first term of our program. Besides taking care of our physical and mental well being, yoga helped me to discover the 5 Pillars of SOIL Values & Philosophy.
- Mentorship Sessions – As part of Industry Mentoring, I was assigned an external mentor from the corporate world besides an internal one. The external mentor guided me through my indecisive formative years during the MBA, helping me to develop myself to shape my career aspirations and identify gaps to reach my goals.
Additionally, we also had the opportunity to go through several immersions that helped develop my personality and potential, such as-
- Leadership Series – Sessions from senior executives from the industry that addressed pertinent leadership issues in the corporate world.
- Live Projects – Exposure to live projects from the corporate world that helped the transition from theory to real-world business problems.
- Design Thinking bootcamps – These workshops helped me to develop a mindset for creative solutions to business problems.
Creating an Impact

I must take this opportunity to mention how I have used my learning at SOIL to create an impact on the community in such a unique way. One of my assignments in Kohler India was to C&B and Stewardship for the India / SSA region. An idea that germinated our Tech Services Team was to launch a Plumbing Academy. The idea was to address the issue of paucity of qualified plumbers in India and to empower youth to earn a reliable livelihood where options were limited. The radical idea, presented to the Kohler Stewardship Advisory Board, was approved and got the funding.

Through this initiative, I managed to fulfil a dream – of creating value and impact for the community. Today, Kohler Plumbing Academy provides young people with professional opportunities in a tight employment market.

None of this would be possible with the experiential learning at SOIL which taught me to believe, innovate and not give up – with empathy and ethics.

Most importantly, it is critical to remember that none of this would have taken place without stepping outside of the classroom into a community service project. Experiential learning at SOIL is absolutely priceless in the context of the disparity existing in the world and a desire to give back to society.

Shubhika Rana
SOIL ALUMNI, PGPM – Human Resources.
Class of 2009-2010