Embracing your Challenges
A resilient fighter, Sandhya Pun, treats failures as stepping stones, and each time she falls, she bounces back stronger. A bundle of contagious positivity, she brings energy and optimism to everything she does. Now working with Infosys in Bengaluru, as an Associate Consultant, Sandhya is poised to make her mark on the world with the same determination and spirit that has defined her journey. In an interview with Corporate Citizen, Sandhya opens up about her campus placement journey, her leap of faith saga, a few tips for her juniors on preparing for placements, and more. Here is her story
There’s a quiet stillness in the way she speaks. At just 24, one conversation with her is enough to sense the depth of her character. How is that possible, we asked? “It’s just the way I am,” she said with a smile, leaving us to ponder the meaning behind her words. That, in a nutshell, is Sandhya. Let’s get to know her better.
Strong foundation
Born in Baglung, Nepal, Sandhya hails from a family with a proud tradition of serving in the Indian Army. While her father’s postings took her across the country for her education, she learned early to dream big. “The dream to serve my country was woven into my childhood. My grandfather, my father, they all served. I wanted to follow the same path,” she said with pride.
Physical fitness runs in her blood. Her father, a physical trainer in the Army, made sure of it. “When I was very young, my father threw me into a swimming pool. That’s how I learned to swim—teaching me how to face challenges, head-on,” she explained. With that, she is also good at sports like volleyball, basketball, badminton, and other field sports. It keeps her alive, fresh and kicking, she feels.
Her father’s postings across India allowed her to experience the country’s rich culture and broaden her imagination. Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, these states were her home, while growing up. “I learned how to be a team player, to adjust, to listen, to communicate, and to grow. Travelling, because of my father’s postings was truly a boon,” she reflected.
Self-sufficient kid
Most kids her age relied on tuitions and extra classes, but Sandhya charted her own path. She embraced self-study, a habit that gave her both independence and confidence. “I’d wait for the teachers to introduce a topic, and then I’d rush home to revise, explore, and read everything I could find on it,” she recalled. “I never felt the need to join extra classes. Self study is important, and I urge all juniors to dedicate time to revising and learning from whatever material is available, be it online or in textbooks.”
Around the age of 17, Sandhya began earning and sharing the knowledge she had gathered over the years. It started modestly, while teaching her neighbour’s daughter, and quickly grew through word of mouth. “I taught Physics, Maths and Science, to high-school students for three years. It made me independent and showed me the power of communication. If you can explain a concept clearly to a student, you can explain anything to anyone,” she reflected.
The turning point
Sandhya had pulled up her socks to clear the Air Force exams, driven by the same desire as her father – to serve the nation. Reflecting on her preparation, she said, “I studied on my own. The written exam didn’t scare me, as I knew I could ace it.” Unfortunately, the interview didn’t go as planned, and she couldn’t clear the Air Force exams. “We learn more from our failures than from success. I discovered the value of consistency, self-expression, and teamwork,” she reflected. It was then that she decided to pursue her Plan B which is to move to Pune, complete her MBA in International Business, and uncover a new version of herself.
"We learn more from our failures than from success. I discovered the value of consistency, self-expression, and teamwork"
— Sandhya Pun
New beginnings
Arriving in Pune felt like stepping into an entirely new world—not culturally, but academically. “Coming from a science background, I felt nervous and insecure. Everyone around me was tossing around terms and concepts I didn’t know about,” she recalled. “But, I soon realised it was only a matter of time before I caught up. I became more fearless, started raising my hand in class for asking the question or answering them, taking the mic to face the sea of students, and volunteering. Eventually, I was elected as a class representative (CR) for three semesters. It was a transformation.”
Soon came the placement season, and Sandhya was ready. “The aptitude round wasn’t a problem as I had a good experience of clearing it. We also held mock rounds for GD and PI, did a lot of online research, and that was it,” she explained, reflecting on her preparation strategy.
Sandhya sat for interviews with four companies before finally landing at Infosys. “I was on cloud nine when I got the news,” she smiled. Though she is just a few months into the corporate world, her vision is clear. “My dream is to work in international marketing and scale myself to global opportunities. Personally, I want to travel the world,” she said, signing off with quiet confidence.
TIPS TO PREPARE FOR CAMPUS PLACEMENTS:
- Research thoroughly : Before your interview, you must know the company inside out. Understand its vision and mission and study its products in depth. This demonstrates your thorough preparation and genuine interest in the company.
- Stay consistent: Success isn’t about greatness, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from working hard daily, through the small steps you take every day. Revise every day, learn every day, attend lectures. Consistency leads to success.
- Work on communication: One needs to understand that being able to express oneself clearly is one of the greatest strengths. If you can communicate well during GD and PI, you will surely ace those rounds. Clear communication removes confusion and creates space for growth.
- Stay fit and healthy: You are young right now, and it’s the perfect time to build a strong, healthy body. This is also a period when students can lose focus or drift from their goals, but embracing fitness can bring them back on track. A positive body creates a positive mind, helping you achieve your ambitions.
- Participate in everything: The world is your oyster, take part in everything and learn as much as you can. Join fests, competitions, explore different activities. Participate in mock GDs, PIs, and classroom debates. You only truly learn by getting involved.