Despite being a small town girl, lost and lonely in an unfamiliar place far from home, her grit and determination, together with friendly support helped Ankita Shandilya sail through with a coveted corporate placement
Ankita Shandilya, a pampered child, always close to her parents, ventured out of her home for the first time to pursue higher studies. But, her sacrifice and determination paid off. She is now placed in one of the best-known companies, HCL Technologies, in Risk & Compliance Management at its corporate office in Noida, New Delhi.
A pass-out from Hitkarini College of Engineering and Technology, Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Ankita was among the few who could join the company, to start her new challenge in the corporate world. Despite being a late comer to Sri Balaji Society to pursue the telecommunication course-not getting her education loan in time-Ankita hit the bull’s eye where many failed. She shares the story of her journey with Corporate Citizen.
“I was late getting into this renowned college, but thanks to the support from teachers and friends I could cope up with the academics and make my dream come true. Much more than keeping pace with the others, coming away from my house for the first time was a nightmare for me. Thankfully, the students and the teachers in this college were very helpful, especially my seniors who made me feel at home, so things took a turn for the better for me. I was late-I would say I was the last one to get into college, but things all got into place. As I said to myself, I had a dream to accomplish, and this has been a dream accomplished.”
“I come from a very small village in Madhya Pradesh, but this institution (SBS) made me very big. I could not believe that I got the job much before leaving college, through campus placement. It is very rare for anyone to get the nod from the first campus company interview. And incidentally I was the first student from the college to be chosen. Yes, it was one of those happy moments when one fails to find words to express. It was a tense situation during placement. But, the days I spent in the college gave me the boost. The personality assessment and group discussions during the course of my curriculum came in handy and that helped me in being positive and spontaneous in my approach. Being a member of the corporate relations team in college also helped. I was keen to get into the telecom domain.”
"I could not believe that I got the job much before leaving college, through campus placement. It is very rare for anyone to get the nod from the first campus company interview. And incidentally I was the first student from the college to be chosen. But, the days I spent in the college gave me the boost"
“Coming from a relatively conservative family and being more attached to the family, moving out of the family for the first time in my life was a testing time. I took it as a challenge, and this college provided me the prefect dais. The involvement of the students, teachers and other concerned people in the college in my day to day affairs made it a happy family atmosphere for me. Helping one another in a crisis and sharing happy moments made things good for everyone. Yes, at times I did miss my mother and her home cooked food, but being in this college made all that take a back seat.”
“First, I would say it was me. My positive approach was the main weapon in overcoming all the . Being self-motivated helped during every difficult and odd time. My family, for believing me, for the values they inculcated in me. There are a few other people I would like to name: Naveen, who has been constant support in building my confidence and maturity and then appreciating my thoughts. Dimple ma’am, Sudhakar Sir, Nanda ma’am, and most importantly my friends for not letting me feel lonely, and trusting me, especially my telecom batch and seniors in SBS who helped me in every situation. All my school and college teachers who equipped me with knowledge, our idealist director and faculty members who played direct and indirect roles in shaping my career by giving me the opportunity and making me what I am today, to name a few.
“I come from a nuclear family, my father is a government servant working in the Ordinance Factory, Jabalpur, my mother a housewife, my elder sister, and my two pet parrots who are also members in the family.”
by Joe WiLLiams
