Mahesh Kumar’s journey into academia is a story of curiosity, persistence, and a deep commitment to learning. An alumnus of the Fellow Programme in Management (FPM), Batch 20, at S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mahesh represents a growing cohort of professionals who choose the rigorous path of research after meaningful industry experience.
From working in industry to transitioning into academic research, his journey reflects the realities, challenges, and rewards of choosing scholarship as a long-term career. His time at SPJIMR played a pivotal role in shaping him not just as a doctoral graduate, but as a disciplined and well-prepared researcher.
The early years: From management education to industry experience
Mahesh began his professional journey with a strong foundation in management education. After completing his formal studies, he spent close to a decade working in industry, gaining exposure to real-world organisational challenges and business practices.
However, even while building his professional career, he felt a persistent pull towards learning and exploration. Reflecting on this phase, Mahesh shares, “My reason for moving from industry to academia was my passion for learning and exploring. I could not get that kind of time in industry.”
This growing curiosity eventually led him to consider academia not as a departure from practice, but as a space where he could engage deeply with ideas and contribute meaningfully through research.
Choosing the academic path: Why FPM
The decision to move from industry to academia was neither impulsive nor easy. For Mahesh, it stemmed from a clear recognition of where his long-term interests lay.
After spending time reflecting on his career direction, he chose to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), seeking an environment that valued depth, inquiry, and intellectual rigour. This phase marked an important turning point, one where curiosity outweighed comfort, and sustained learning took precedence over short-term certainty.
Mahesh’s choice of SPJIMR for his doctoral journey was deliberate. He cites two primary reasons for joining the Institute.
- The first was SPJIMR’s strong reputation and standing among management schools in India. As he explains, “SPJIMR carries a very strong reputation and brand name among management schools in India, and that gives a lot of advantage later in one’s career.”
- The second, and more significant reason, was the philosophy underpinning the FPM itself. Mahesh strongly believes that a PhD is not simply about completing a programme. “A PhD is not just about completing four years or publishing a couple of papers. It is important to come out as a good researcher.”
SPJIMR’s emphasis on rigour, relevance, and long-term researcher development aligned closely with this belief. The programme’s four-year structure, divided into focused cohorts, ensured sustained engagement and depth rather than superficial outcomes.
A rigorous and thoughtful selection process
Mahesh recalls the FPM selection process at SPJIMR as one of the most thorough he encountered. Beyond aptitude assessments, the process placed strong emphasis on the research proposal and the candidate’s research orientation.
Reflecting on the interview experience, he notes, “What I really liked about the interview process was that the faculty were genuinely interested in understanding why I had opted for research and whether I actually had a research attitude.”
This experience reinforced his confidence that SPJIMR was deeply invested in nurturing scholars, not merely enrolling candidates.
Life as an FPM scholar at SPJIMR
Once enrolled, Mahesh found the coursework at SPJIMR to be intense, stimulating, and transformative. The curriculum was designed to prepare scholars for the realities of academic research, with strong emphasis on methodological rigour.
As he shares, “The coursework here is rigorous and interesting, and it prepares us to become good researchers. We are trained in various methodologies, not just one.”
Beyond the classroom, scholars benefited from SPJIMR’s broader ecosystem, including access to a wide network of family businesses, NGOs, and corporate organisations. This exposure enriched the research environment and provided diverse contexts for inquiry and application.
Reflections on the researcher’s journey
Looking back, Mahesh views the FPM journey as one that required patience, resilience, and sustained effort. Research, he believes, is not a sprint but a long-distance pursuit marked by uncertainty, revision, and continuous learning.
He reflects that the challenges faced during the programme were essential in building discipline, critical thinking, and confidence, qualities that extend well beyond academia.
“The researcher’s journey is not easy, but it is worth it if you are genuinely committed to learning.”
Takeaways from a journey of inquiry and growth
Mahesh Kumar’s transition from industry professional to FPM scholar at SPJIMR highlights the value of choosing depth over immediacy. His journey underscores SPJIMR’s role in nurturing high-calibre researchers through structured learning, rigorous evaluation, and a supportive academic ecosystem.
For professionals drawn to research and scholarship, his experience serves as a reminder that while the path may be demanding, the intellectual and personal rewards are enduring.
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