IKON
Francisco D’Souza, CEO of Cognizant, is a prominent figure in the software services sector. At 38, he became one of the youngest CEOs in the industry, having been part of the team that founded Cognizant, a NASDAQ-100 company, in 1994. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, D’Souza is of Goan origin. His father, Placido D’Souza, was a diplomat with the Indian Foreign Service.
D’Souza holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, and plays a critical role in Cognizant’s operations and business development. His leadership has earned him several accolades, including:
• 2005: The Economic Times Entrepreneur Award
• 2009: Named among “America’s Best CEOs” by Institutional Investor magazine
• 2013: Named among “100 CEO Leaders in STEM” by STEMconnector
• 2013: Recognized as the Best CEO in the Multinational Company category by Forbes India magazine
What is this job all about?
Management involves analyzing various factors and making decisions to guide an organization toward its goals. It’s about leading and managing effectively, whether in public sector enterprises, private conglomerates, government institutions, multinational organizations, or educational institutions.
Can you go for it?
If you can quickly grasp facts and figures, analyze issues, and understand the consequences of your decisions, management might be the right path for you. Managers are strong motivators and communicators, ensuring their team understands the organization’s direction and each member’s role in achieving the targets.
1. Preparation: Success in management begins with preparation. After graduation, get ready for entrance tests like MAT, CAT, XAT, SNAP, or CMAT. Practice is key.
2. Group Discussions and Interviews: Prepare for group discussions and personal interviews.
3. Sharpen Your Soft Skills: Public speaking, creative thinking, decision-making, empathy, customer service, etiquette, multitasking, smart email messaging, telephone decorum, and dining etiquette are essential. Online platforms like FITA Academy, Coursera, EdX, TCS, and YouTube offer resources to develop these skills.
You need to decide in which area you would prefer to specialize:
• Finance: Comfort with numbers and rapid analysis of financial data are essential. Strong negotiation skills are a must.
• Marketing and Sales: A keen sense of market potential, advertising campaign management, and driving sales teams are critical.
• Human Resources: This role involves advising management on people management, recruiting top talent, retaining them, and keeping the workforce motivated and focused. Diplomacy and tact are vital skills.
• Data Analytics: This field involves using large datasets to make business decisions that keep the company on track.
Is there a future in this job?
With India’s rapid growth, there’s a tremendous demand for quality managers. If you have the necessary skills, dedication, and focus, you could one day become a General Manager or even a CEO.
Where to begin:
• After 10+2: Pursue a BBA or complete your regular graduation.
• After Graduation: Apply to a management program.
In Goa:
Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA):
• Saraswat College, Mapusa
• St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa
• Don Bosco, Panaji
• M.E.S. College, Vasco
• Rosary College, Navelim
You need to pass the UGAT test for BBA admission.
Master’s in Business Administration (MBA):
• GIMS (Goa Institute of Management Studies): Finance, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources & Data Analytics
• Goa University
Admission requires passing the XAT or CAT.
MA in Human Resources:
• St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa offers a 2-year course.
Outside Goa:
• Indian Institute of Management(IIM’s): There are now thirteen IIM’s in India: Ahmedabad, Kozhikode, Calcutta, Delhi, Bengaluru, Indore,Lucknow, Shillong, Rohtak, Ranchi, Raipur, Tiruchirappalli, Udaipur, and Kashipur.
For any IIM you need to pass the CAT( Common Admission Test)
• Xavier Institute of Labour Relations (XLRI) at Jamshedpur – xlri.ac.in
• Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Dadabai Naoroji House, Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai
• National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Vihar Lake, Mumbai – https://iimmumbai.ac.in/
• Symbiosis Institute of Management, Senapati Bapat Marg, Pune
• Loyola Institute of Business Admin, Chennai – www.liba.edu
• S. P. Jain Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai and Dubai (you can get admission in Dubai – provided you can pay the fees there – www.spjimr.org
• Indian School of Business (ISB) Gadchibowli, Hyderabad – www.isb.edu – This is a one-year program – in collaboration with Kellogg’s and Wharton of the USA – work experience preferred.
• Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai – also in collaboration with Yale University, Michigan, USA.
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) at Chembur, Mumbai – www.tiss.edu, that awards a Degree with Specialization in Personnel Management.
Salary Levels:
• BBA Graduates: Starting salaries range from ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 per month, depending on the institution.
• MBA Graduates: Top business school graduates can earn between ₹75,000 and ₹3,00,000 per month, with some earning even higher.
Don’t settle for just a degree or diploma — enhance your CV by completing online learning programs with certification in areas relevant to your chosen career. This will significantly improve your employment prospects compared to holding only a basic qualification. Additionally, consider boosting your confidence by enrolling in public speaking courses, such as those offered by Toastmasters International.
For government job opportunities, please check: www.employment-newspaper.com
page updated: August 2024