Where Deep Knowledge Triumphs Over Experience

Who has tested his skills in both theoretical and practical arenas, Kamal Kant yet firmly believes that theoretical knowledge precedes practical application, a conviction he holds quite strongly in today's world. After earning one undergraduate degree, two postgraduate degrees, and gaining almost three years of corporate experience, he has now secured his dream job with OneSubsea - SLB, as their Junior Buyer. This is his story

Born and raised in Brahmapur, Odisha, a spirited border town where the rhythms of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh collide. Its sun-drenched lanes, fragrant with the salt-kissed breeze of the Bay of Bengal and the aroma of Pakhala Bhata (Odia fermented rice) mingling with fiery Andhra curries, shaped his world while ample seafood seasoned his childhood.

"I owe my roots to the Kant family," reflects Kamal. "A home where books were revered as much as temple prayers. My father’s Air Force discipline gave me structure, while Brahmapur’s cultural tapestry, from Jagannath temple processions to Kuchipudi dance echoes, taught me to embrace every flavour of life. It crafted me into an adaptable thinker, a seeker of stories, and unapologetically, a lifelong foodie," he said.

The curious kid

School was less a classroom and more a playground for his curiosity. It was indeed a stage to showcase his talents. Though he scored well, he admits with a laugh, "I was never the kid buried in textbooks." From dismantling toys, like every curious child, to obsessively reassembling them, his instinct was always to unlock how things worked. "Breaking things was easy," he reflected. "The real thrill was fixing them, solving the puzzle I’d created."

Education is paramount

Growing up, curiosity wasn’t just a trait for Kamal, it was his way of living, “It still is,” he smiled. That hunger to understand how things worked became the heartbeat of his choices. It’s what drew him to production engineering at Parala Maharaja Engineering College, Odisha, where he could dissect the mechanics of creation firsthand.

But for Kamal, learning wasn’t a box to check, it was a fire. Even after earning his degree, he felt that restless pull toward deeper mastery. So, he pursued a PG Diploma in Tool Design and CAD CAM, driven by conviction. “Theoretical knowledge isn’t just on paper, it’s the foundation that lets you build something real. I could’ve taken a job right after my B.Tech, but I realised more learning wouldn’t just add skills, it would add clarity."

Stepping stones

By this point, Kamal felt confident in the knowledge he had gained. Ready for the corporate world, he landed his first role at Polyrub CooperStandard—a crucial stepping stone. Just twelve months later, seeking new challenges, he moved to Shivam Autotech. Reflecting on these early experiences, Kamal shared, “Both jobs gave me immense practical value and a vital realisation. While my hands-on skills were strong, I felt a gap in the theoretical foundation. After 2.5 years, I realised gaps in areas like quality management and process optimisation, which led me to pursue an MBA.” To bridge this gap and enable seamless growth, he made the bold decision to pursue an MBA specialising in Operations and Supply Chain, from a renowned college in Pune.

Theoretical knowledge isn’t just on paper, it’s the foundation that lets you build something real. I could’ve taken a job right after my B.Tech, but I realised, more learning wouldn’t just add skills, it would add clarity

— Kamal Kant

Sealing the deal

Kamal finally entered the B-school he’d dreamed of for so long. Despite bringing almost three years of practical experience with him, he arrived with an open mind, eager to soak up even more knowledge. "You can never have enough of it," he smiled.

The college felt like a breath of fresh air. He made new friends, built valuable connections, and threw himself into new extracurricular activities. "It was just great," he recalled. "Being part of the placement cell was incredible, the learning truly never stopped. I was the happiest."

Preparing for the campus placement was a piece of cake for him. "I was confident with the aptitude round," he said. "But, I wanted to focus more on the GD/PI rounds. The professors helped us a lot. With their guidance, we students conducted mock GD/PI rounds."

Knowledge > Placement

It's natural to enter your postgraduate programme focused on placements, but I urge you to shift that mindset. Prioritise gaining deep knowledge, mastering concepts, and developing real skills first. When you truly invest in learning, exceptional job offers will follow naturally as a result of your growth, not as your sole goal.

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.

Embrace discipline

As a student, your mind will wander, that’s natural. But, when your purpose is anchored, occasional detours won’t derail you. This steadiness only comes through discipline. It forges resilience, sharpens professionalism, and transforms potential into unstoppable momentum. Yes, discipline is difficult, but once it shapes you, nothing will stop you.

Let the professors guide you

Your professors are valuable resources with extensive industry understanding. Pay close attention to their insights and guidance. Approach their teachings with an open mind, valuing their experience. Trusting their mentorship is a powerful step towards achieving your potential.

Cultivate lasting relationships

Invest time in building genuine connections, with peers, seniors, juniors, professors, alumni and industry experts. These mutually beneficial relationships are a vital source of knowledge and a cornerstone of sustained growth and success.

Built to deliver

However, life had other plans. He failed three times before getting placed, but he took the rejections in stride. "The first three failures came as a tough learning lesson for me. One of them interviewed eight of us from my batch, all with solid experience, but zero offers. Their process was intense, just self-introductions and deep dives into our backgrounds. But, their bar felt sky-high—honestly, it shook me,” he recalled. He further added, “But, those rejections taught me something critical— knowing your weaknesses matters more than flaunting your strengths. I realised I struggled to articulate my practical skills in high-pressure interviews. So I drilled myself, practiced storytelling frameworks, rehearsed project breakdowns and owned my stumbles. By the fourth company, I walked in ready to be real, not perfect. And, that’s what clicked."

What’s next for him? He answered with a bright smile, "First, I want to save enough money to bring my parents to live with me. After that, I’ll take life as it comes – travel, buy a house and car, and enjoy it.