Saumya Prakash,a young, bright student who did her post-graduation with a leading B-School in India, is today placed with a leading retail chain
Saumya Prakash, who completed her Bachelors of Science majoring in Computer Applications, and schooling from Notre Dame Academy, Patna, shares her journey from the campus to the corporate world. She’s someone who strongly believes, ‘If the journey meets with your dream, the journey is a success.’
“I still remember the whole rush and excitement that we all went through during the placement process. It started with a group discussion, followed by Case Study - based on the performance of which selected students got eligible for the first of the two interviews,” reminisces Saumya.
The first interview had two interviewers who grilled students with questions related to their internship and subject knowledge.
“Since I was a marketing student, and had done my internship in Operations from HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd.),Mumbai, I was able to crack the interview confidently and explain to them about my work during my internship in detail,” noted Saumya.
Like most students, Saumya too had taken her internship very seriously. In fact, she had made her internship project her strength, which helped her achieve her goal.
“The second and the final interview had 12 interviewers. This was a stress interview. The questions were solely situation based and it depended how well one used his/her logic to answer them. I must say that this interview was something that was worth being in,” she said.
Post the interview, as students anxiously waited to know if they had made it, Saumya was thrilled to know that she had got placed.
“This was the moment of achievement for me when I got placed with the retail division of Aditya Birla Group Pantaloons. I had yearned to get into this company,” said a proud Saumya.
One of her exceptional assignments, offered to her by her Dean, was an advertising project with a magazine, which helped her gain insight about the advertising industry and enabled her to get to know more about the sector.
The induction programme consisted of many activities which included presentations, the Mahabharata show and several kinds of workshops related to team building, leadership, personality development, management games, corporate lifestyle and so on.
The induction programme helped Saumya in a big way. At the same time, the college faculty always played a role larger than the notebooks. “They not only have an in-depth knowledge of what they teach but they also bond with the students so well,” chuckles Saumya.
Saumya learned how to be disciplined, determined and dedicated, from her B-School. She believes that if an individual possesses these ‘3Ds’, you can be sure of reaching your goal.
“My college taught me punctuality. There were rules to be strictly followed. Like any other student, I initially hated those rules and didn’t see its relevance or importance, but when I went for my Corporate Interface Programme (CIP), which involves interaction with corporate stalwarts from the industry, I realised its worth,” noted Saumya.
“I always believe that it is important to keep learning,” says Saumya.
One of her other achievements in college included handling the post of ‘Financial Coordinator’ of her institute.
“It was important for me not because I was made the Financial Coordinator, but because that position was specifically made with respect to the need and my Dean’s belief in me,” says Saumya.
The Dean of the institute kept emphasising on the importance of networking and growing contacts in the industry. Saumya notes that her networking with the alumni and corporate stalwarts did help her to organise various conferences, seminars and meets at the institute.
Saumya did her two-month summer internship project from HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation India), Mumbai, where she scored 98 marks out of 100 from her mentor.
Saumya’s father is a General Manager (Retd.)from BSEB, and her mother is a homemaker. Her younger brother, who is extremely close to her, and someone with whom she shares all her secrets, works as a software engineer at Wipro Technologies.
Dancing has always been her passion. “Dancing always came as a rescue to me when I needed the change. It makes me feel alive, full of life...it feels magical,” she smiles.
At the same time, Saumya is also fond of writing. “At times when there is something I wish to give an imaginative touch to, I pen it down,” she notes.
Talking about friendship, Saumya says her friends have always been her priority. “They have always stood by me during all times, have helped me perform well in my studies and I owe a lot to them,” she smiles.
“There were strict rules to be followed in college. Like any other student, I initially hated those rules and didn’t see its relevance, but when I went for my Corporate Interface Programme, which involves interaction with corporate stalwarts from the industry, I realised its worth”
Here comes a piece of advice for all:
“My father always says, never knock down any opportunity that comes your way. The journey has not ended, it continues. I look forward to making my parents, my institute proud of me,” she signs off.
By Mahalakshmi Hariharan
