Working professionals share their back-to-school experiences. As part of this series, we profile a confirmed workaholic who gave up a 'glam' work lifestyle to live as a student in Italy.

Name: Abhineet Mishra
Age: 24
What I do: Brand and retail analyst
Where I live: New Delhi

I hail from an architectural background (my dad has his own architectural firm) and design has always inspired me. After a degree in computer science from Indraprastha University in Delhi, I started out with a lifestyle company, Windows in Mehrauli. Initially, my job profile was restricted to handling interior designing but towards the end of my tenure there, I even handled high-end marketing.

It was a good break considering the fact that the only clients the company dealt with were people with an annual income of Rs 50 million and above. So at 21, I was working on some of the most beautiful homes in the country.

I remember this one time when I had to crack a deal with one of the company’s corporate clients -- Hotel Shangri-La, Delhi. Windows is also into outdoor Dutch furniture and I convinced the hotel folks to invest in an order worth more than Rs 10 crore.

The coffee was good, the profile was fun but I always knew sooner or later I had to join my dad's firm. He had given me two choices -- start working with him right away or gain some more work experience and join him later. At 21, I knew there was a lot more to be learned. So, I decided to become a student and let go of a cushy job, good money and a comfortable life.

Ciao Italia!
My initial choices for the design school were Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Parsons School of Design again in New York and Central Saint Martin’s in London. Even though these were some of the best in the world I wasn't very keen on them.

I came across this 70-year-old institute called Istituto Marangoni in Milan while browsing the Internet. The course they offered -- a Masters in Brand Design for a period of nine months followed by an internship, fit my preferences like a glove. It dealt with the study of the making a brand out of a name.

With the likes of Moschino , Dolce & Gabanna and more on their alumni list, Marangoni couldn't have been a better choice. Moreover, I didn't want to be in a place like the UK or the US, where I would have some kin or aunt knocking my door at regular intervals. So opting for a country like Italy, which still isn't a major English speaking country, worked well for me.

I opted for a full-time study programme, which I feel is a lot better than a part time course or a long distance one, especially if you are in the low to mid-management levels. Working and studying can be taxing when you have to shoulder greater responsibilities at work.

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e-mail: Suraj Anand

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