How SPJIMR GMP prepared me for the world stage: Deboleena Majumder

Deboleena Majumder, SPJIMR (GMP batch 06) – ESB (2015-16)

Are you wondering if a Global Management Programme is worth it? Can you handle it if life throws you a setback? I also was in your shoes and asked the same question of myself. My answer to this doubt is a resounding yes. It is shaped by the SPJIMR Global Management Programme (GMP) and a life-changing move to Germany.

Building resilience through challenges

I am Deboleena Majumder, and when I chose to pursue SPJIMR GMP and walked into SPJIMR’s campus, I was still recovering from a major illness. I had joined SPJIMR a month late, when three subjects had already been covered. Despite this, Deepali Ma’am and Sejal Ma’am helped me pace myself without losing momentum.

My batchmate Enasha swapped her first-floor hostel room with mine so that I wouldn’t have to climb more than one flight of stairs. From day one, the GMP team met with me with empathy and solutions.

The initial days taught me two lessons. First, that resilience grows when you are surrounded by the right people who believe in you. The second lesson is that you can train grit as a muscle by doing your tasks daily, studying, working out, and having discussions with friends.

My decision to pursue SPJIMR GMP

Choosing SPJIMR GMP gave me an opportunity to combine the knowledge I had learnt with the exposure I could not have had elsewhere. It led me to blend the best of both worlds:

World-class learning
The first love I felt for sales was born out of this journey during field research.

Guaranteed global exposure
It’s a unique exposure at a global level with its partner schools, with credit continuity and following a seamless structured path.

Strong alumni network
Visa support, internships, thesis projects, and job searches in various countries of Europe are made easy by the alumni network.

Learning, community, and growth at SPJIMR

I joined SPJIMR within a month of being hospitalised for 16 days and being bedridden for the next 15 days. In eight months at SPJIMR, I studied more than 30 subjects that consist of marketing, finance, economics, entrepreneurship, and international law.

Another salient feature of the GMP is the role of the community in the group projects, field research, investment pitches, and simulations, which teach the aspects of teamwork and humility that cannot be reflected with theories and books only.

The balance between outdoor activities like shared dinners and peer-led study circles made the experience more impactful in my life. Whether it was the light-hearted GMP photoshoot, late-night sessions in the cafeteria, or long walks on Juhu Beach, every small moment built bonds that went beyond academics.

I also fondly recall the Mumbai meets Stuttgart event, where we represented the Lapp Group of Germany, and the PG Lab sessions, where we connected as individuals, not just as peers.

From Mumbai to Germany: A transforming transition

My move to ESB Business School in Germany was seamless, thanks to alumni who shared visa tips, housing leads, and cultural basics that were such a game-changer. Even before I left India, I secured a paid internship with Red Hat GmbH, which also brought a confidence boost and financial cushion. The stipend was not just a relief financially, but also reassured me that I was valued even before stepping into my partner school.

At ESB, the partner school, I experienced a new way to learn with focused classes, practical projects, and a campus that actively connects students and companies through its International Business Fair.

I wrote an industry thesis with industrial value and proven results under Prof. Robert LoBue with guidance from Jochen Chaloupka at Red Hat.

Their feedback sharpened my analytical thinking and ensured the paper denoted real business value. Their meticulous reviews helped me translate theory into insights, with real impact in the industry. I also helped lead ESB’s first Europe-wide alumni meet for SPJIMR partner schools.

The event was a highlight and showed me what a committed, cross-border network looks like in action.

The difference between the work cultures of India and Germany

In Germany, ‘PTO’ means ‘off’. I once told my manager at Red Hat I was applying for leave due to illness, and I would still work on my thesis from home. He was puzzled and asked, ‘Deboleena, are you lying to me and actually sitting by the beach?’ The moment taught me what PTO truly means in Germany. My manager at Red Hat once told me not to ‘burn a leave’ when I’m ill and not to work from home, and the rest was also a part of performance.

Now, as an Associate Director, despite having multiple responsibilities, owing to the flexible work culture my position and results bring in, I can have a balanced and fulfilling personal life. This helps me be innovative, think outside the box, and meet and persistently exceed my targets.

Readiness for the global stage

GMP helped me connect the dots of strategy, sales and impact. The various case studies revealed the ‘why’, field research showed the ‘how’, and international exposure taught the ‘where’.

I learnt in the GMP experience cultural fluency and adapting to the situations around me; the skill proves to be priceless in global sales and market access. Today, as an Associate Director, I balance intense targets with a life I enjoy.

Reflections for future cohorts

You need to embrace and adapt to new cultures and traditions, and accept the risk associated with this journey with grace and grit. Reflecting on the journey, there are a few observations I can share with the future cohorts:

Learn like a sponge

Our professors are industry stalwarts, and every class can change how you view the business.

Use the alumni network

Ask for feedback, interview guidance, and market insights from the brilliant cohorts and peer group.

Practise the language

Even an intermediate level helps you integrate faster and unlocks roles.

Own your job search

Shortlisting firms, track applications weekly, visit webinars, and treat GMP as a course with deliverables.

Travel often

For me, it shaped how I approach sales with empathy and cultural sensitivity.

For me, GMP was not just an academic programme. It was a journey of rebuilding me, of learning to be world-easy, and of discovering that the challenges can be turned into stepping stones.

My biggest takeaway from SPJIMR GMP is the relationships with the management team that I fostered here. They created a home away from home for me here, and this was, in fact, of critical importance to me as I was coming out of a major illness, and without their support, it would have been difficult for me to graduate without losing a year. The GMP journey has prepared me for not just global roles but also guiding and mentoring others walking a similar path.