Do More of What You Love

Ambitious and hardworking, Surbhi Pundir, has her eyes all set on the goal of being a CEO in the future. Yet humble, she says with a smile, “I know it’s a daunting dream, but I am all game for it.” Currently, she is working with MarketsandMarkets as their Research Analyst, and she is in love with her job. In an interview with Corporate Citizen, Surbhi opens up about her campus placement journey, the importance of being involved in extracurricular activities, a few tips for her juniors on how to prepare for placements, and more

Surbhi hails from Bundi, Rajasthan–that’s where she spent her childhood. When we asked her to talk about the city where she grew up, her answer warmed our hearts, “For me, my parents and family are my city, my world, my universe.” This response reflects how she was raised and her outlook on both her professional and personal life.

A solid foundation

The reason Surbhi calls her family her universe' is because they showed her how to live life to the fullest. “Although my city was orthodox, and people there often commented on us being offbeat for following our dreams, my parents never paid heed to what they said. They are retired government officials, and they always supported us in all our endeavours. It is because of this freedom that I got a chance to excel in all the avenues of life,” she said.

Growing up, Surbhi was a studious child. “I was among the top students in the class. To reach this far, with my parents’ support, I used to work very hard. I paid keen attention in class, and after school or college, I used to revise all the subjects, leaving no stone unturned,” she said. This exudes that there is no shortcut to success.

Although dedicated to her studies, Surbhi always believed in living in the moment. She loved spending time in the field, playing all kinds of sports. “Before or after studies, I used to be on the field playing games like Kho Kho (wherein I reached the Nationals), badminton and other games too. I also honed skills for hobbies like singing and dancing,” she said. Talking about how these activities helped her in her educational life, she said, “Spending more time on the field revitalised my mind, helping me to focus more on my studies and ultimately earning good grades.”

TIPS TO PREPARE FOR CAMPUS PLACEMENT

Build a solid resume: A resume is a reflection of the student’s character. A strong resume will help you get shortlisted quickly. Write all your skills and achievements, highlight your professionalism and educational feats. A resume builds a lasting impact; ensure you pen your best and genuine one.

Develop your skills: An investment in your skill development will take you a long way. It will help you build a better and brighter future. Explore the skills that best suit you and develop them. The more you work on your skills, the more creative you become.

Take mock-up GD/PI seriously: Every college has a routine before campus placement starts. They set up mock GD and PI sessions. Don’t treat these mock sessions as your regular ones; these sessions set a solid foundation, helping you face the actual GD/PI with ease. Give it your best.

Keep yourself updated: All three rounds of campus placement thrive on your current affairs knowledge. For that read the newspaper daily. Download apps that allow you to understand industry trends better. You should have an indepth knowledge of the company you’re interviewing with, as if it’s second nature to you.

Fall, but never give up: The educational journey is meant to be challenging – this prepares you for your corporate endeavours. It’s okay to face failures, experience setbacks and encounter downfalls. The key is to brush off these challenges, learn valuable lessons from them, and resiliently move forward.

Pursuing happiness and passion

While completing her Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Surbhi realised that this technical field was not her cup of tea. “I was taught to do what makes you happy. This degree wasn’t making me content, so without wasting any time, I decided to shift my focus to another field where I knew my happiness would know no bounds.” After her graduation, she moved to Pune to pursue her MBA in Marketing.

Following her dream

Her aim when she entered the MBA programme was to secure a great placement. “And for that, I was ready to put in my sweat and tears,” smiled Surbhi. Speaking about her preparation for campus placement, she said, “I was very diligent in my approach as my goal was clear. The college helped us lay a great foundation. They assisted us with every aspect of campus placement, from the aptitude round to clearing our doubts and acing GD and PI rounds. This grooming prepared us for all the challenges. Of course, they provided us with assistance, but the key takeaway is that students must approach their studies and campus placement with an open mind and clarity. They must commit their time fearlessly and strive to deliver their utmost effort. In addition to that, I did my research and built an appealing resume as a starter, as it reflects my qualifications. I also studied online content for holistic grooming.”

"The key takeaway is that students must approach their studies and campus placement with an open mind and clarity. They must commit their time fearlessly and strive to deliver their utmost effort"

-Surbhi Pundir

Surbhi sat for just one company, and she got placed. Although, she was happy with the placement, she wasn’t satisfied with the profile, but she did not want to give up just yet. “I waited for the right time to make a switch. I worked there for a year, and when the time was right, I got another great job where I was happy and flourishing.” Initially, she was placed with HDFC Bank as their Personal Banker, and later, she took a job with MarketsandMarkets.

She is thoroughly enjoying her current job, relishing the opportunity to learn something new every day and eagerly anticipating what the future holds. On weekends, she eagerly embarks on adventures along less-traveled roads. When asked about her dream, she quickly responds, "I want to become a CEO one day." Fueled by this determination, she also aspires to give back to her parents, who serve as her constant support system. Above all, her ultimate goal is to pursue activities that bring her joy and fulfillment. “Do more of what you love,” saying this she signed off.