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Career advice, fresh skills and a place to let off steam: the ideas taking shape at KJ Somaiya could give graduates plenty of reasons to reconnect.
Your MBA certificate cannot introduce you to your next boss. A fellow alumnus might.
That is the opportunity facing KJ Somaiya: approximately 16,000 alumni, with experience that could help someone else make their next move. At the recent alumni general body meeting, the discussion covered career advice, fresh skills and something equally valuable: having someone to talk to when life gets difficult.
At the Alumni AGM meet Director Prof. Raman Ramachandran gave alumni a bigger job description: “You are the ambassadors, you are the brand.” He credited their mentoring and weekend interview preparation with supporting Somaiya’s placement results, and celebrated graduates reaching senior leadership roles. His update covered a curriculum shaped by industry, stronger research, expanding executive education and upgraded facilities.
He wanted the pride to work both ways: alumni making Somaiya stronger, and the institute continuing to make its graduates proud.
We have seen that need in Bangalore. Our group had more than 500 members, yet some needed a quieter space to discuss career pressure and personal difficulties. Working from home could add to the isolation.
So we started the Listening Circle. People can speak without being judged. Alumni like Parineeta contribute their professional experience alongside other alumni and senior members. In Mumbai, a monthly virtual session open to other cities was discussed, potentially from early 2027. The details still need work.
The association has also asked alumni what they want. Around 800 survey responses and 39 individual interviews identified five priorities: communication; coaching, mentoring and counselling; regional networks; career development and upskilling; and engagement with the institute.
Now comes the harder part: delivering things people will use.
Catalyst already has more than 250 alumni across over 10 countries and 200 companies on its mentoring platform. Reported usage is around 10–12 calls a month.
There is room for more conversations. Members need clear routes to the right mentors, and mentors need a manageable way to help.
Some introductions happen more easily over coffee-or on the road. In Bangalore, we have organised coffee meets, morning walks and drives. Conversations have ranged from AI and career progression to handling seniors and, occasionally, relationships.
The drives are impactful. In a car, nobody can escape your conversation by spotting a more impressive name badge across the room. People get to know one another. Asking for advice later becomes easier.
My connection with other alumni circles has also helped bring people from other university networks into these gatherings. Different career experiences give everyone more to think about.
Active networks were identified in Bangalore, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad and North America. Delhi NCR is developing smaller local groups; Hyderabad has been rebuilding participation. Pune, Singapore, Dubai and the UK were discussed for possible expansion. Each will need local leaders and a calendar. Enthusiasm is wonderful. Someone still has to book the table. Those gatherings could also become places to refresh skills.
Proposed short programmes cover AI, digital transformation, personal branding, time management and entrepreneurship. Implementation has taken longer than intended. The meeting acknowledged that the ideas now need dates and concrete offerings.
The institute is preparing a 15-month weekend Executive MBA, planned for late January 2027, covering leadership, digital transformation, innovation and growth.
A partnership with Leadership Management International involves a 32-hour group coaching programme on everyday effectiveness, including prioritisation and time management. It can run online, with an introductory alumni discount discussed. Existing MBA graduates may prefer shorter refresher modules. Wanting to understand AI does not automatically mean wanting another 15 months of homework.
Alumni already give plenty back.
More than 800 participated in institute activities over the preceding year, including 132 mentors, 127 alumni supporting admissions across 12 cities, and 74 helping students prepare for placements. Alumni also delivered more than 13 masterclasses.
The institute reported 98% placements for the previous graduating batch and approximately 40% of the current cohort placed by October. Its Parivartan initiative develops competencies employers need. Recruiters, industry experts and alumni have contributed to the curriculum review, while experiential learning includes social-impact projects.
Two faculty members secured a €110,000 European consortium research grant. Campus improvements include the library and canteen, a new executive education classroom and a faculty lounge.
There is progress worth sharing. First, the email has to survive the delete button. The association is working on communication tailored to different alumni groups. I suggested featuring an achiever from every batch in the newsletter, rotating batches if necessary.
A photograph and a few lines could recognise a professional milestone, creative achievement or community contribution. A familiar face gives someone a reason to stop scrolling
In the new Hi-Tech Executive MBA Training Center
Events need the same attention to what people find useful. In Bangalore, we are discussing inviting senior HR and business leaders to speak about changing skills and what employers value. Alumni leaders and speakers from prominent companies could attract interest.
Follow the talk with coffee. Give people time to meet. Any career opportunities can grow from those relationships; the event should make no promise of recruitment. Then solve the organiser’s recurring headache: attendance.
The institute also wants to develop contributions towards scholarships, research and infrastructure, with clear processes and completion of the audit work discussed at the meeting.
Director-alumni conversations every two months are being targeted from January 2027, giving members a regular chance to hear progress and offer help.
The wider “One Somaiya” vision connects management graduates with engineering, arts, healthcare and other alumni. Five US chapters were reported across New York–New Jersey, the Bay Area, Southern California, Michigan and Massachusetts.
A broader alumni portal is intended to make those connections easier. The announced 9 January celebration for alumni completing 25 years, including the 2002 batch, and an all-Somaiya gathering offer another reason to return. After a quarter of a century, there should be more to discuss than who borrowed whose notes.
Keep the degree on the wall. Put the network to work. Pick up the phone. Or be the person who answers.
Karnvir Mundrey is an alumni of the KJ Somaiya Institute of Management and an active alumni network supporter.
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Karnvir Mundrey is a narrative strategist and media entrepreneur who helps founders, institutions and international businesses turn complex ideas into influential public stories. He is the Founder of Atharva Lifesciences Consulting Pvt. Ltd. , Atharva Marcom and Founder Editor of TheFutureOfPR.com. He has also authored a book on Nutraceuticals (available on Amazon). Karnvir Mundrey is also the producer and host of 4 YouTube channels. Finest Fintalk brings you the latest in Finance, LitInMin for Books, The Health Tips Podcast for health and Atharva Marcom for leadership talks He is also recognized as India’s longest running podcast host, continuously running since 2006!
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