Sweat Today, Shine Tomorrow
For Chaitanya Deshmukh, the future always comes first, especially when his career is on the lines. He believes that a strong foundation for tomorrow is built on two pillars - good education and hard work. His commitment and perseverance helped him bag the job in his third attempt. Chaitanya has now secured his dream role with Schlumberger OneSubsea as their Junior Buyer. Here is his campus placement journey
The temperature in Chalisgaon, Jalgaon, might soar high, but Chaitanya keeps his temperament cool—a stark contrast to his hometown. “It helps me think and plan better,” he smiled. Born into the Deshmukh clan, Chaitanya had big shoes to fill, with parents who were both high achievers - his mother an MSc graduate and his father a professor. “There was no pressure as such,” he laughed, showcasing his quiet confidence shaped by his parents.
A studious soul
To carry forward the family tradition of achieving excellence, little Chaitanya was a studious child from the very beginning. He was disciplined and approached his studies with dedication and sincerity. “Education was not a choice, it was a way of life,” said Chaitanya.
His hard work began bearing sweet fruits of success early on, helping him secure valuable scholarships like National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) and Maharashtra Talent Search (MTS). Looking back, he now feels, acing these exams quietly build his confidence, not through competition, but through curiosity. “I urge my juniors to focus on their studies now, as we have the whole life to enjoy later,” he added.
After completing his schooling in his hometown, he moved to Pune to pursue mechanical engineering from AISSMS College of Engineering.
Ground-level learning
During his post-graduation, Chaitanya took up an internship with Vinsum Axpress Private Ltd., a logistics and supply chain management company that offers end-toend transportation, warehousing, and other services. This summer internship became his window into the complex world of industrial operations. “The company broadened my horizons. I learned things I had never imagined, teaching me things like how materials move, how inventories are tracked, and how coordination between procurement and production defines efficiency. I realised logistics, warehousing and material flow, fascinated me more than machines themselves,” he said.
This internship proved pivotal, as it helped him decide his next course of action, which was to pursue an MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management.
With grief came growth
Barely a few months into his MBA, on one forsaken day, he received a news that shattered his world. In August 2023, his mother passed away due to cardiac arrest. “It was the hardest day of my life. She was my biggest support. Everything I did was to make her proud,” said Chaitanya.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR CAMPUS PLACEMENTS:
- Learn with your heart and soul: What defines a student’s educational journey is their foundation. Study everything with an open mind and learn with patience. This will help you build a strong base for life.
- Find a mentor: When you’re young, your mind can be shaped easily in the right direction. Find mentors who can guide you through your academic and professional journey. Seek their wisdom and let them help you grow.
- Consistency is the key: We are what we repeatedly do. Success is built through habit. Be consistent in your efforts, and success will naturally follow.
- Be polite and humble: No matter where you are—at home, with friends, in college or at work—learn to stay humble. It brings grace and quiet confidence, which are enough to carry you forward in life.
- Never give up: There will be setbacks, but remember, we learn more from failure than from success. Stay strong, fall if you must, brush off the dust, learn, and rise stronger. Keep moving forward, no matter what happens.
But, while he was still struggling to cope with the loss, tragedy struck again when in December, his grandfather passed away. “My first year of MBA became more of an emotional reckoning than an academic challenge,” he added
With grief came growth, and he found peace in acceptance. “I know life is uncertain and death is inevitable. Coping takes time. In my moments of need, my friends became my true support, and I don’t think I can ever repay them for that.”
"The corporate world can be tough, but I’m following my father’s advice. He asked me to stay grounded and be polite, and you’ll be fine. That’s how I envision living my life"
— Chaitanya Deshmukh
His placement saga
During his MBA days, Chaitanya lived a life beyond the classroom as well. He served as the President of the NSS, a community that organised blood donation drives, cleanliness campaigns, and rural awareness programmes. “This simple step made me believe that I could lead a team and spark a wave of change,” he said.
As the placement season arrived, the 26-year-old realised it was less a test of confidence and more a tribute to his late mother. “I wanted to secure the best placement as a way to honour my mother. That’s why I began my preparation right from the first year,” he reminisced.
In that very first year, he practised aptitude tests, mock group discussions, and personal interviews. His seniors and professors guided him throughout. “I believe in practice and consistency, and it comes through hard work. That’s exactly what I did,” he said with a smile.
He sat for two companies before finally landing his dream role with Schlumberger OneSubsea. “In the first two companies, I couldn’t get through because of some technical challenges. Of course, I was heartbroken. But, I didn’t give up. I worked on my weakness by making it my strength. And, when I got selected by Schlumberger OneSubsea, I cried tears of joy. I knew that wherever she is, my mother would be the happiest. My father couldn’t have been prouder,” said an elated Chaitanya.
Four months into the corporate world, he is learning, growing, and enjoying every bit of the journey. “The corporate world can be tough, but I’m following my father’s advice. He asked me to stay grounded and be polite, and you’ll be fine. That’s how I envision living my life,” he said with a smile as he signed off.