Jack of all Trades
"Yash Soni’s story is not about being the best in the room. It’s about being curious enough to step into every room of life – showing up, trying everything and wringing the magic out of every opportunity. That’s how he earned the title “Jack of all trades”, though he wears it lightly. To him, life isn’t a checklist of victories, it’s a playground of experiments. “Why live at all if you’re too afraid to try” he laughs. Currently, he is working with Wells Fargo, Bengaluru, as their Securities Research Associate. Here’s a candid interview with Yash about his early days, campus placement journey and more. He also shares a few tips for his juniors on preparing for placement"
Yash grew up in Mandsaur, a cute little town in Madhya Pradesh where kindness wasn’t just a virtue, it was the rhythm of life. Strangers felt like family, and neighbours checked in simply because they cared. “That’s the magic of my hometown,” he reflected. “It taught me that true strength lies in lifting others—not just as a teammate, but as a person. That lesson carried me through college, and now, it’s my compass in the corporate world.” There’s a quiet pride in his voice—the kind that comes from knowing that some roots never stop guiding you.
Frankly, Yash!
Let’s be real—Yash doesn’t do filters. He’s upfront and unapologetically himself. When asked how he’d describe himself as a student, he didn’t miss a beat, “Honestly, I was average in class. But, curiosity was my secret weapon—it dragged me into every sport, every activity, and squeezed out lessons I still use today.”
And squeeze, it did. You’d spot him everywhere mastering the art of learning beyond marksheets, hustling on fields, stages, and between the lines of rulebooks. An ‘average’ student? Maybe on paper. But in the school of life? A complete one—sharpened by grit, polished by play, and proof that growth isn’t just about grades.
An appeal to his junior friends
Yash turned to volleyball, cricket and other field games, to find himself. Little did he know, he was slowly mastering the game of life. “We were all friends, and our mindsets aligned, so arguments were rare. But, those moments taught me early that not everyone will agree with you. It prepared me for healthy debates and how to be a team player.
Not everyone wins the match, but everyone gets a chance. If it’s not your day today, tomorrow will be, but only with hard work and dedication,” he says.
That’s why he urges his juniors, “Pick up any sport or team activity. You won’t believe how it shapes you for the better. Study hard, but also play hard. Join college fests. Those experiences are the real teachers.”
After a BBA in Finance from Shri Vaishnav Institute of Management (SMIV), Indore, he joined a college in Pune, for his MBA.
Holistic development
As per Yash, he was truly moulded into a corporate attitude when he moved to Pune for his MBA.
“This is where I met students from all across the country, learning different perspectives of life. Here, I got a chance to shine on stage during college fests—anchoring sessions, helping backstage, and experiencing corporate seminars first-hand,” says Yash.
Being the internship cell manager gave him a chance to understand various processes, eventually landing him a dream internship at Deloitte. “That experience prepped me for campus placements,” he recalled.
Reflecting on his placement journey, he shared, “During my BBA days, I attended a seminar—basically a free mock GD session used to market a coaching class. I ended up winning that round. That little confidence boost stuck with me and made all the difference when real placement GD and PI came around.”
Going with the flow
You ask, what’s the perk of hustling, staying curious and just showing up? Yash cracked his first-ever placement interview with IDFC First Bank (then Capital First), as a Collection Manager—no backups, no rejections, just one shot. What’s the secret we asked, he answered, “Everything counts, hustling, taking part in fests, zero overthinking, being charming in the GD and PI rounds, apart from that - I was myself, no masks, no filters.” Though it was a marketing profile with IDFC Bank, he later transitioned into an investment banking profile. From there, he navigated the corporate world, hopping through Genpact, Verity Knowledge Solutions and iResearch Services, before landing at Wells Fargo, Bengaluru.
And oh—he’s got a love story straight out of a rom-com: “We fell in love on the backbenches. My then-girlfriend now-wife, Kavya, and I, are settled and thriving.”
As for what’s next? No rigid plans. Just going with the flow and embracing whatever life throws his way.
"Whether you're a student or a fresher, in the corporate world, discipline reflects your commitment to growth. It builds habits that drive success— in studies, work and personal life"
— Yash Soni
Tips to prepare for campus placements:
Discipline should be your foundation: Whether you are a student or a fresher, in the corporate world, discipline reflects your commitment to growth. It builds habits that drive success—in studies, work and personal life.
Engage in extracurricular activities: All work and no play makes a person dull. Students must engage in extracurricular activities to unleash their full potential. Participating in events, clubs or competitions, helps develop leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills. These experiences enrich them and prepare them for the real world.
Clarity over comfort: For students, having a clear vision of their desired major is essential. They must define their career goals early on. However, if they choose a path, whether an academic stream or a job, and later find themselves unhappy, they should have the courage to pursue what truly fulfills them. Happiness and purpose matter more than sticking to a decision made out of obligation.
Invest in personal development: Soft skills like communication, leadership and emotional intelligence, are just as critical as technical knowledge. They shape your professional persona, boost confidence, and make you adaptable in dynamic work environments. During placements, many candidates have similar grades—your soft skills can be the deciding factor. A polished personality often outshines raw academic scores.
Communicate like a pro: Whether in your educational, professional or personal life, effective communication is the key to success. During the PI round of campus placements, it is crucial to communicate clearly and concisely— focus on showcasing your unique strengths and selling your USP. Only then, will you stand out to the selectors. So, speak up.