The culture that defines SPJIMR

For the majority of us, the journey begins far away from campus long before we actually set foot there. It begins with the long, solitary nights of CAT preparation — hours of mock tests, percentile worries, and that inner silence of hoping to get into one of India’s premier B-schools. When the admission actually comes through, it is like running across a finish line. But soon enough, you come to understand—it’s not the end of the race. It’s merely the start of a journey.

What strikes you first about SPJIMR is not the rigour, but the warmth. Through the lectures, case studies, and deadlines, you have a group that actually cares. The seniors, who were strangers once, become mentors and anchors—walking you through the most arduous part of B-school life: the summer internship process. Their continuous encouragement, mock interviews, and sharing experiences make you understand that competition here doesn’t come at the price of compassion. Everyone wants to see you succeed.

And this service spirit, of looking outwards, is deeply ingrained in the DNA of SPJIMR. It manifests itself in initiatives that set the college apart—programmes which are not extras to the curriculum but integral to its value-based leadership philosophy.

One such programme is Abhyudaya. Each student is assigned a ‘sitara’, a socially underprivileged child, whom he mentors for a year. The connection extends well beyond schoolwork — it’s about encouraging the child to dream bigger, become more confident, and enjoy learning. But honestly, it’s the mentor who learns as much. Getting to know a sitara teaches empathy, patience, and that real change so often begins in small, individual increments.

Follows DOCC (Development of Corporate Citizenship), SPJIMR’s month-long rural internship programme. Students reside and work with NGOs and social enterprises across India, working on grassroots initiatives in education, healthcare, environment, and rural development. It’s not a simulation — it’s actual India, actual challenges, and actual learning. For several, DOCC serves as a turning point — a reminder that management is not about profits and performance, but about purpose.

Through these experiences, SPJIMR not only raises managers but also socially responsible leaders. It fosters a culture where empathy is equal to efficiency and collaboration equals competition. You are taught to gauge success not merely by the offer letter you receive, but by the impact you create.

As a student of SPJIMR, you take this culture with you — in your work, in leading, and in giving back. From helping a peer just before an exam to mentoring a sitara or working in a rural village for DOCC, you come to understand that leadership is not about being above others but being alongside them.

SPJIMR isn’t merely a platform where careers are made — it’s where character is forged. And when you step out of the campus, you don’t merely take with you a degree. You take with you a greater understanding of what it truly means to lead with purpose, passion, and heart.