From Farming to Finance

Stands tall is Narayan Dandge who is now placed with Tata Technologies Ltd. as their postgraduate trainee. From a humble farming background to aspiring for excellence in the world of finance, Narayan’s journey is one of grit, resilience and conviction. Having appeared for 23 campus interviews—one of the highest in his batch—he brings with him a wealth of knowledge earned through. Here is his story

Some journeys to success follow a straight line—Narayan’s did not. His path was marked by hardship, self-doubt, and repeated rejection, but one thing he was sure of was not giving up. “I have faced several hardships in life, but my parents taught me to fight back harder. In the end, perseverance prevails,” Narayan said with a smile. He was born and raised in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, formerly known as Aurangabad. “This city has a rich history and culture, and peace and tranquillity come as a byproduct. I grew up in a world defined by the rhythms of farming and the quiet discipline of rural life. This city made me what I am today.” From this modest setting, Narayan began a journey that would take him far beyond the fields he once called home, without ever forgetting where he came from.

The foundation

Growing up, Narayan was a studious child but that lasted only while he was studying in Marathi medium school. “Something shifted when I was moved to an English-medium school. But, I still passed,” Narayan said, sounding almost puzzled.

And, what did you do for extracurricular activities, we asked. Pat came the response, “After school, I used to help my parents with farming. It involved a lot of physical activity, and it helped me stay motivated and fit,” he said almost proudly.

Changing path

During his graduation, just as life seemed to be settling into a steady rhythm, everything changed. Narayan lost his father suddenly.

“We were shattered,” he recalled. “None of us knew how to process the loss. And, I decided to set foot in our farms.” The months he spent working the land proved formative. The fields became a quiet classroom, teaching him lessons no textbook could. “We grew maize, corn, cotton, sugarcane,” he said. “What farming taught me was simple but profound - hard work eventually bears sweet fruit.”

Yet amid the discipline and dignity of labour, another realisation took root - farming was not his calling. “It didn’t surprise my mother,” he said. “She supported me completely when I told her I wanted to continue my studies.”

For Narayan, the lesson was clear-if you are not fulfilled by the path you are on, you must have the courage to choose another. That conviction led him to Pune, where he decided to pursue an MBA in Finance, carrying forward both the resilience shaped by loss and the quiet faith instilled by his mother.

"I have faced several hardships in life, but my parents taught me to fight back harder. In the end, perseverance prevails "

— Narayan Dandge

The real journey

When Narayan entered college, his goal was singular and unambiguous, which was to secure the best possible placement. The stakes were high. “A lot depended on it,” he said. The responsibility of the farms rested on my mother, and I felt I had to live up to that trust, by getting a good job.”

By all accounts, he took the course quite seriously. Preparation began on the first day. He sought out seniors, exchanged ideas with professors, and built friendships that would later sustain him through moments of doubt. “But the real learning,” he noted, “came from attending lectures consistently.

Outside the classroom, support came from unexpected places. His hostel friends became a second family. “After college hours, my dorm mate Anshul Patel guided me like a mentor,” Narayan said. “I learned a great deal from him, especially how to navigate group discussions and personal interviews.”

Still, the path refused to smooth out easily. Narayan sat for 23 company interviews without landing his dream role. The disappointment was difficult to absorb. “Even after putting in so much hard work, I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t getting placed,” he admitted.

The answers came slowly, and painfully. “Failure teaches you more than success,” he reflected. “In some interviews, I lacked subject knowledge. In multinational companies, communication mattered a lot, and mine wasn’t strong enough. That’s where I was falling short.” The experience taught him something deeper, the importance of honesty and self-awareness. “Above all, you have to be genuine in an interview,” he said.

Eventually, perseverance paid off. Narayan secured a placement with Tata Technologies Ltd. as their postgraduate trainee—a moment that marked not just professional success, but personal vindication.

Although, he is just beginning his corporate journey, but his ambitions are already well defined. “I want to climb the ladder of success through hard work,” he said. “And more than that, I want to inspire young people in my village, to show them that ‘impossible’ is just a word.”

TIPS TO PREPARE FOR CAMPUS PLACEMENT:

• Focus is paramount: College is a season for friendships, parties, and making memories that last a lifetime. But, it is also a decisive window, one that does not return. Take your curriculum seriously. Engage deeply with your syllabus, even when it feels demanding or unglamorous. These years quietly shape your professional future. It is, quite simply, now or never.
• Choose an on-campus programme: An MBA is not just a degree, it’s your pathway to a great career. Living on campus keeps you academically connected, inside classrooms and beyond them. When you are surrounded by peers who share your ambition, effort becomes contagious. Study sessions happen organically, conversations extend learning, and the environment itself nudges you toward discipline and excellence.
• There is no substitute for hard work: Classrooms provide direction, but progress demands effort beyond them. Revise daily, solve more problems, and explore concepts independently through credible resources. Consistency matters, practice quietly every day. This will carry you farther than talent alone ever will.
• Communicate seamlessly: Knowledge is power, but it must be expressed to matter. Without the ability to articulate ideas clearly, even the strongest expertise remains invisible. Communication opens the door to the corporate world and knowledge determines how far you go once inside.
• Never give up: Failure is a part of success. Remember, if you fall seven times, rise the eighth. Each time you get back up, you grow stronger and closer to your goals. Believe in yourself, stay resilient, and never give up, because perseverance is what ultimately leads to success.