Striking the Right Chord

Roshan Pathade has struck the right chord – he has carved a plan to achieve success in his life. “One has to explore out of their comfort zone,” he explains. In doing so, he has landed a great job with HealthPlix as their Senior Area Sales Manager, and he can’t wait to see what it has in the offing for him. In an interview with the Corporate Citizen, Roshan spills the beans on his educational journey, his campus placement experience, shares a few tips for his juniors on how to prep for campus placement, and more…

To maximise the potential of what you have, it's essential to maintain a keen eye and an open mind. Wardha, a city near Nagpur, may have the ambience of a small town, but for an inquisitive and localite Roshan, it offered unique opportunities. "Wardha may be a small town, but the education it provides is phenomenal. While it may not have as many opportunities as a big city, the city offers a motivational push to explore the world, acting as a catalyst," said Roshan, demonstrating how the place we are born in can significantly shape our personality.

Solid foundation

Born in a humble household, Roshan had inspiring parents and sibling, all of whom rose to success through hard work and dedication. He used their example as a cornerstone to carve his own path to success. “Growing up, I was a studious child, but with a keen eye and a sense of curiosity, I knew early on what I wanted to achieve in life,” he said.

While his graduation was in Mechanical Engineering, he didn’t want to stop there, he wanted to learn more. Why? There’s a backstory to it. “During my college days, I organised a cricket event. Not only did I manage the cricket teams, but I also helped raise funds and ensured the event was a huge success,” he said. Reflecting on the lessons from this experience, he continued, “I could have easily taken a job after graduation, but I wanted to learn, explore, and satisfy my curiosity.

That’s why I opted for an MBA—I discovered that I enjoyed understanding different processes, managing teams, and continuously learning. An MBA was the perfect way to achieve that.” Building on this, he added, “This is why I encourage my younger friends to keep an open mind and seize every opportunity life presents. You never know where your curiosity and hard work might lead you.”

Placement-ready

Following his brother's footsteps, Roshan moved to Pune to complete his MBA in Marketing. “My goal when I entered college was to gather all the knowledge I could and secure a good placement,” he said.

It’s not that Roshan was born perfect; he had his challenges too. “I had stage fright and was probably shy, and I wanted to change that for the better. The college I studied in offered me just that," he smiled. So, how did he work on it? "I participated in numerous competitions, which boosted my confidence, showcased my talent, and allowed me to meet new people. This helped me overcome my shyness and stage fright.”

Campus placement is of paramount importance for all students, and it was no different for Roshan. Preparation has always been key for him, and he left no stone unturned.

Reflecting on his campus placement preparations, he said, "I did enjoy my time at college, made new friends, and had fun. As the time for placements approached, I pulled up my socks." He continued, "For the aptitude round, I solved all the available papers and referred to a couple of books. By then, I had overcome my stage fright and gained confidence, but there was still a slight doubt, which is always good as it pushes you to do better. For the Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds, I practiced my speech and answers in front of the mirror and recorded myself. This gave me a clear idea of where I stood. For the GD rounds, I stayed updated with the latest news. I kept my preparations basic but effective."

Then came the big day. Remarkably, Roshan sat for only one company, and he got through— proving that hard work pays off. Recalling the interview, he said, "I still get goosebumps thinking about it. I was interviewed by five people at once. Imagine five sets of eyes staring at you. Of course, it was scary, but I believed in myself and answered all their questions." And that's how he got placed with ICICI as their management trainee. Post that he moved to Eka Care, as their Area Sales Manager.

Now, he is working with HealthPlix company and is having the time of his life. Roshan is now planning his journey to move up the ladder of success. Besides his career ambitions, Roshan wants to explore the country and see what it has to offer.

TIPS ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR CAMPUS PLACEMENTS

Work hard but smart too: It’s rightly said, there is no shortcut to success, and it’s important to put in the effort. However, students should combine diligence with strategic thinking to maximise their output. Working effectively and efficiently towards your goals will pave the way for long-term success.

Be studious: It goes without saying that attending lectures is essential, but it’s not enough; students must also be attentive, take notes, and ask questions. These actions are pivotal in securing a good placement.

Be independent: Being independent from a young age is invaluable. It cultivates essential skills like self-reliance, critical thinking, and navigating life and college with ease. It’s about fostering confidence in decision-making and preparing for the challenges ahead.

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.

Balance is the key: All work and no play, makes a student dull. After establishing themselves with their studies, they should also learn to embrace leisure in moderation.