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Jankidevi Bajaj Institute of Management Studies organized a Pre-Placement Talk (PPT) for the students with the objective of providing students with industry exposure and information about career opportunities in the corporate sector. The session was conducted by Ruchir Aswal, co-founder of Sagefarm On 27th March,2026.

The institute, established on 17th August 1997, is the management studies arm of SNDT Women's University. With its two-year full-time Master’s Degree Programme in Management Studies (MMS) and Ph.D. programme in Management, JDBIMS continues to promote professional education for women while fostering academic excellence and industry engagement.

Introduction

As part of its continuous efforts to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry exposure, Jankidevi Bajaj Institute of Management Studies organized an internship recruitment drive in collaboration with Sagefarm.

The session was designed to provide students with insights into the evolving landscape of wealth management, while simultaneously offering them an opportunity to secure internships aligned with their academic specialization. The drive was conducted for first-year MBA and MMS students specializing in Marketing and Finance, making it a highly targeted and career-oriented initiative.

Speaker Profile

The session was led by a representative from Sagefarm, co-founded by Ruchir Aswal.

As a young and dynamic entrepreneur, he brings with him a strong foundation in finance, wealth advisory, and investment management. His prior professional experience in the financial services sector has equipped him with deep insights into client advisory, portfolio construction, and market analysis.

During the session, he demonstrated a practical and relatable approach, effectively connecting theoretical concepts with real-world applications. His ability to simplify complex financial ideas and present them in an engaging manner made the session highly impactful for students.

About the Company

Sagefarm is a rapidly growing financial services startup focused on wealth management and mutual fund advisory. The company operates on the philosophy that wealth creation is similar to farming—requiring patience, strategic planning, and consistent nurturing over time. (a SEBI registered wealth management fin-tech company) & we work with top 50+ Asset Management Companies (AMCs) in India to provide best investment solutions & advisory to our clients. Our mission is to guide customers in their investment & wealth creation journey via our technology platform.

Founders – Ruchir Aswal - MBA from IIM Calcutta, has 16 years of experience in finance, technology & banking. Having worked with organisations like Jio, Rediff, Intuit Inc (USA), Nium (Singapore). Lately he was the co-founder & Chief Product Officer at an NBFC in India.

Abhi Aswal - MBA from IIM Indore / CFA & has 15 years of experience in treasury, banking and wealth management. Previously leading corporate investments with large reputed organisations like HDFC, American Express, etc.

Core Services

• Goal-based financial planning
• Mutual fund advisory and portfolio management
• Risk profiling and asset allocation
• Data-driven investment strategies
• Continuous portfolio monitoring and optimization

The company leverages a client-centric approach, ensuring that investment solutions are tailored to individual financial goals and risk appetites. Its modern outlook and use of analytical tools position it well within the evolving fintech and advisory ecosystem.

Industry Background - Mutual funds industry in size has grown 2.5 times in the last 5 years & is poised to grow 10x in next 10-15 years. And the number of folios has increased from 10 crore to 25 cr customers in less than 4 years. Investors may benefit greatly, but not equally & that is where Sagefarm is positioned i.e. providing customers the best suited, risk mitigating, performance-wise Mutual funds to customers through our research & advisory.

Career Growth Opportunities

A significant portion of the session focused on educating students about the long-term career prospects in wealth management and financial advisory.

The speaker emphasized that this domain offers:

• Early responsibility: Interns get exposure to real client cases and investment scenarios
• Skill development: Analytical thinking, financial literacy, and client communication
• Entrepreneurial exposure: Working in a startup environment encourages initiative and innovation
• Industry relevance: Growing demand for personalized financial advisory services
• Career progression: Opportunities to transition from intern to full-time roles based on performance

For marketing students, the domain also provides exposure to financial product positioning, client acquisition strategies, and digital outreach, making it a hybrid learning experience.

Roles Offered – WealthPreneur Intern (Mutual Funds Analyst - Marketing & Sales)

Domain - Marketing & Sales : Wealth Management & Investment Advisory WealthPreneur Intern (Financial Research & Mutual Funds Business Development Analyst)

Domain - Finance : Wealth Management & Investment Advisory

Student Interaction and Queries

The session witnessed active participation from students, especially considering that the batch initially exhibited a reserved and observant approach. As the session progressed, the interactive nature of the discussion encouraged students to engage more openly.

Key Areas of Discussion

• Fundamentals and functioning of mutual funds
• Differences between banking, investment advisory, and wealth management careers
• Certifications required for building a career in finance (e.g., NISM, CFA basics)
• Importance of communication skills in client-facing roles
• Work culture and expectations in a startup environment

The speaker addressed these queries with practical examples, industry anecdotes, and simplified explanations, making the session both informative and engaging.

Interview Process

Following the company presentation, an on-campus one-on-one interview round was conducted for interested candidates.

Selection Criteria

• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Basic understanding of finance/marketing concepts
• Confidence and clarity of thought
• Willingness to learn and adapt

Students were evaluated individually, which provided them with a real-time corporate interview experience.

The process also helped them understand industry expectations and areas of self-improvement.

The interviews were conducted in a personalized one-on-one format, allowing the interviewer to evaluate each candidate in depth. Each interaction lasted approximately 10–15 minutes, creating a focused and professional assessment environment.

The interaction typically started with a self-introduction, followed by domain-related questions tailored to the candidate’s specialization.

Finance students were assessed on their basic understanding of investment concepts and market awareness, while marketing students were evaluated on their approach to branding, customer engagement, and promotional strategies. In addition, situational and behavioral questions were asked to gauge problem-solving ability, adaptability, and readiness to work in a professional environment. The interview process was interactive and provided students with an opportunity to ask questions and gain clarity about the roles and growth prospects. The final selection was based on a holistic assessment of communication, conceptual understanding, and willingness to learn. The process concluded with the selection of seven students, making it a valuable learning and exposure experience for all participants.

Outcome of the Drive

The internship drive concluded successfully with the selection of 7 students from the First Year MBA and MMS batch.

This outcome reflects both the quality of student talent at JDBIMS and the alignment between the company’s expectations and student capabilities.

Conclusion

The internship drive conducted by Sagefarm proved to be a highly enriching and career-oriented initiative for the students of Jankidevi Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.

The session not only provided valuable insights into the financial services industry but also enabled students to interact directly with an industry professional, thereby enhancing their practical understanding. The inclusion of a one-on-one interview process added significant value by giving students firsthand exposure to recruitment dynamics.

Overall, the initiative successfully achieved its objective of bridging academic knowledge with industry application, while also opening avenues for students to explore promising career paths in wealth management and marketing domains.

Acknowledgement

The institute expresses its gratitude to Prof. Dr. Mahesh V. Shitole, Director, for his guidance and support, and to Ms. Daanya Katerwala, Training and Placement Officer, for coordinating and managing the programme.The institute also appreciates the support of the faculty, administrative team and students for contributing to the successful conduct of the programme.

We also extend our sincere thanks to Jankidevi Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and SNDT Women’s University for providing us with the opportunity and support to organise this enriching seminar for our students.