Latest news with #SahilDeshmukh
India Today
5 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Dubai man slammed for offering unpaid project to top Indian B-school students
A Dubai-based professional's attempt to offer a 'live project' to MBA students was slammed online, and not without reason. Sahil Deshmukh, an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow graduate and current Manager in the Global CEO's Office at Erba Mannheim, posted a call on LinkedIn inviting students from India's top business schools to work on a strategic project, without his post, Deshmukh specified he was looking for MBA students from institutes such as IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, XLRI, and MDI for a remote project lasting 3–4 weeks. The catch? It comes with no stipend. 'Looking for MBA students from IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, XLRI, MDI, or other top B-schools for a short-term live project,' he said. 'There's no pay, but it's a good opportunity to work closely with the leadership team on strategic initiatives,' Deshmukh wrote, adding that the role would suit someone seeking 'real-world exposure.'Take a look at the post here:In an update later, he said that the opportunity is closed as he has received 'more than enough response'. 'Closed. Have gotten more than enough responses. Will selectively reach out to relevant profiles/DMs. Thanks,' he said. advertisementThe response online was far from supportive. Professionals and students alike criticised the offer, calling it exploitative and tone-deaf, especially considering the rising cost of elite management education in India.'Let's put an end to the exploitation of unpaid internships. It's time we stop normalising this toxic work culture,' a user said, while another added, 'You want someone from a top B-school to work hard, add value, and walk away with nothing? That's not an opportunity, that's audacity.'One of the users said, 'Pay. It's not a difficult thing to do.'Several users pointed out that terms like 'contribute meaningfully' and 'work closely with leadership' often translate to full-time commitment, and without a stipend, it sends the wrong Deshmukh's offer may have been well-intentioned, but it soon turned into an example of what not to post in the name of Reel
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Dubai man trolled for inviting IIM students to work for free: ‘No stipend, get real-world exposure'
A Dubai-based Indian professional has sparked a wave of backlash after inviting MBA students from India's top business schools to apply for an unpaid short-term project. Sahil Deshmukh's LinkedIn post on a 'no stipend' position for MBA students was met with outrage, with many calling it a slap in the face of students who spend lakhs and work hard to secure admission to B-schools like the IIMs and XLRI. Unpaid internship for IIM students? Hiring post draws flak (Representational image) Deshmukh, who works as a Manager in the Global CEO's Office at Erba Mannheim, is himself a graduate of IIM Lucknow. In a post shared on LinkedIn one day ago, he announced a vacancy for MBA students from top institutions like the Indian Institute of Management and the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi. 'Looking for MBA students from IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, XLRI, MDI, or other top B-schools for a short-term live project,' Deshmukh wrote. 'It's a 3-4 week remote project with no stipend, but a good opportunity to work closely with the leadership team on strategic initiatives,' the Dubai-based employee revealed. He called the position 'Ideal for someone looking to get real-world exposure and contribute meaningfully.' The backlash The backlash was swift, massive and entirely expected. In the comments section of the post, many called out Deshmukh for expecting MBA students to work for free. has reached out to him for a statement. This copy will be updated on receiving a response. 'Let's put an end to the exploitation of unpaid internships. As Indians, it's time we speak up against a toxic work culture that normalizes offering no stipend in exchange for full-time effort,' wrote one LinkedIn user. 'And the saga of unpaid work (in the name of 'gaining experience'), keeps on thriving. Quite sad,' another said. 'Pay. It's not a difficult thing to do. Don't loot people in the name of experience,' LinkedIn user Piyush said. 'You want people from top B-schools to put their heart and soul into a project , 'contribute meaningfully' but with no stipend? Crazy,' another added. The post also reached Reddit, where reactions were overwhelmingly negative. 'Getting freshers with no experience a start is different, hiring generic MBAs is different. But asking for tier 1 MBAs and refusing to pay them is crazy,' a user said.
