Namitha Jain managed to get the only post that was there among the 70 students who appeared for the campus interview. Her patience and positive attitude paid off in the final run, as she got selected for GVK Mumbai International Airport
It was a very long journey for Namita Jain from Panchkula in Haryana who went to Chandigarh for her graduation and from there to Pune for her Masters. Now she is in Mumbai to start her new innings in the corporate world. She made it with her first attempt when GVK Mumbai International Airport visited her college to pick the right candidate for their Pranaam GVK Guest Services. She joins them as part of the Business Development Team.
Namita, the only daughter among three siblings takes us through her journey as she goes on to enter the competitive corporate world. Patience was the key to her success. She was among the 70-odd students to appear for the interview and after waiting for over four months she got a call for the only vacancy in the firm. Namita always wanted to be a teacher for toddlers. “I feel teaching young kids is the toughest job. Handling these kids is amazing in its own way, and I wanted to be a teacher so that I can impart information and knowledge to the young kids.
Namita with a friendNamita did her schooling at the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan Vidyalaya, Panchkula, and moved to GMSS Chandigarh for her XI and XII standard, and completed her graduation from the GGDSD College, Chandigarh. Like any child she was a playful kid and spent more time on the playing ground than with her books. It was only after the birth of her younger brother that she began to spent some time with her books. She spent more time with her younger siblings, apart from making time for gymnastics. She went on to top her district and state before finally making the cut into the first five at the national contest. She was very active during the Republic and Independence Day parades. All this was possible because of her yoga classes, and also because of her maths teacher Geeta Dewan who was more of a friend to her, and taught her the values of life.
She got placed with GVK Mumbai International Airport and was among the very few who started working much before they got their Master’s degree. As a fresher, she made the most of it gaining experience. She would share her ideas which were always welcomed by her seniors, and that gave her much confidence. “Understanding the way work is done, and then when you are respected for the new ideas that you give is pure bliss,” said Namita. “Since I was a fresher there were not many expectations; everything was new and there was no benchmark to compare my current job with.”
Namita with her elder brother.Her college helped her cope with the demands of the corporate world, showing her the right passage into this challenging world. Being a member of the Corporate Relations team in the college made things easy when she came into contact with real life. “I was part of the Corporate Relations team at BIMM and I was the SPOC (single point of contact) for this company where I got placed. From day one, I had the zeal and determination to shine in this company. In all, there were 72 candidates who applied for the only vacancy. I was very curious as to why so many people were interested in this company which made me research more about it. The first shortlist was out where they shortlisted 11 people and I was one of them,” said Namita. “After a fortnight’s wait, we received the second shortlist of four candidates who had their final round of interview at the Airport in Mumbai,” recalled Namita. There was an element of surprise waiting, as there were three more students joining them from other colleges of Mumbai racing for one post. “I was the fourth to be called in to face the five-member panel. My lips and legs were trembling and I didn’t know anybody’s name or designation so I had to convince each one of them. And all that they asked me was about my internship with Aditya Birla Grasim which went on for 40 minutes.”
Namita with her father and
younger brother“The biggest fear was, will I even get placed? Since I was part of the Corporate Relations team in the college as a junior, I saw seniors strugthanking to get placed, and the fear and frustration they had on their faces and minds sometimes frightened me. People who were so bright, so good in studies were not getting placed even after four months of the placement season.” But being patient and thinking positive made things easy for Namita as she overcame all these fears. Namita says, “It is the real world out there, where one cannot work in hypothetical numbers and make mistakes. I am sure this new journey will bring a new phase in my life and make me a better corporate person.”
Motivation is what one needs, and that she has been getting all through her life from her parents, teachers and friends. Being positive has been the major mantra of Namita’s success story. Learning from mistakes, and making sure they are not repeated have made things easy for this Chandigarh youngster. “There have been many people in my journey, and my family has been the backbone of my success.”
‘‘Study well and never take any subject for granted. Only if you know the theory can you can apply it practically’’
Getting the placement call was the happiest moment. “I had no words to say when I met my family soon after my placement. I hugged my father and the pride he had in his eyes motivated me to grow more in life and become a better human being.” But she is of the view that the real happiest moment is yet to come. “To be frank, my happiest moment is yet to come, I am sure it will come somewhere down the line in my corporate life,” says Namita.
Namita with her friendsLife is all about experiences and learnings and strugthanking god on waking up every new day. “Each day and each moment is a blessing from the almighty and we should make the best of it.”
By Joe Williams
