We believe that the real test of a business school whose focus is always implemented student centric approaches is not in the degree it shells out but rather how well prepared and ready its students. And gradually with the penetration of AI in workshop, the demands of the industry have changed as well. Industry demands human capital who understands business problems, knows how to operate with tech and can help execute operations. This is what being ready for entering the corporate world means.
Recognising this, Narayana Business School has built a structured system that focuses on employability development from the very beginning of a student’s academic journey.
A recent initiative HR Connect: From Campus to Corporate was an extension of this thought.
The event brought together HR leaders and talent acquisition professionals from a wide spectrum of organisations who visited the campus to conduct mock personal interviews with students. Designed as a pre-internship and pre-placement preparation exercise, HR Connect gave students an opportunity to experience the realities of corporate hiring before entering the formal recruitment cycle.
During the sessions, industry experts interacted directly with MBA students, assessed their responses, and provided immediate feedback on communication, confidence, clarity of thought, and interview readiness. For many students, the experience helped them understand how recruiters evaluate candidates beyond academic performance.
The initiative is closely aligned with the Narayana Employability Enhancement Program (NEEP), a structured framework developed by the institution to prepare students for professional careers step by step.
Narayana Employability Enhancement Program (NEEP)
The NEEP framework focuses on building employability skills progressively throughout the student journey. Rather than concentrating placement preparation at the end of the program, the framework develops professional readiness through multiple stages. The program begins with self-awareness, where students reflect on their interests, strengths, and career aspirations. This is followed by a core strength analysis, helping students identify the areas in which they can build expertise.
Based on these insights, students are guided towards the right career domain, ensuring alignment between their abilities and the industry roles they pursue. The process then moves into practical preparation, beginning with customised CV building, where students learn how to present their achievements effectively.
Students also develop professional portfolios, highlighting their projects, academic work, and achievements in a structured manner. Alongside this, they undergo group discussion preparation and aptitude training, two essential components of most corporate recruitment processes.
One of the most critical stages of NEEP involves mock interviews, where students practice interview scenarios before meeting actual recruiters. Events like HR Connect are designed specifically for this stage, allowing students to interact with real HR professionals who simulate corporate interview environments The program also includes pre-placement workshops, grooming sessions, and training focused on personal branding, helping students understand how they present themselves professionally.
The final stage prepares students to step confidently into the corporate world, equipped not only with academic knowledge but with the communication skills, professional awareness, and confidence required in modern workplaces.
Three-Layer Mentorship Model
Supporting the NEEP framework is Narayana Business School’s three-layer mentorship system, which ensures that students receive guidance from multiple perspectives.
The first layer is faculty mentorship, where academic mentors guide students in conceptual learning, projects, and analytical thinking.
The second layer involves industry mentorship, where corporate leaders, HR professionals, and entrepreneurs share insights on industry expectations, workplace culture, and emerging career opportunities.
The third layer is peer and alumni mentorship, where seniors and graduates guide students through real experiences of internships, placements, and corporate life.
Together, these three layers ensure that students benefit from academic guidance, industry exposure, and peer learning simultaneously.
Learning for Students and Faculty Alike
HR Connect also served as a learning opportunity for faculty members, who engaged with visiting HR leaders to understand evolving recruitment trends and industry expectations.
This two-way exchange helps ensure that classroom teaching remains aligned with the skills and competencies demanded by employers.
The event was successfully organised through the collaborative efforts of the placement team, faculty mentors, and the student placement committee, whose coordination enabled meaningful interactions between students and industry professionals.
As the expectations from young professionals continue to evolve, our initiatives like HR Connect showcases how the role of B schools are changing, not simply as institutions that grant degrees, but as environments that prepare students to succeed in the corporate world from the very beginning of their journey.
