For Harshita Nigam, a promising youngster carving her way into the challenging corporate world, nothing is impossible in life. Her name says it all-Harshita (in Sanskrit)-meaning joyful, one who brings happiness. Never deterred by failure, she is all set to scale new heights
The eldest of three siblings from a family based out of Pune, Harshita is a very homely person. She has made Pune her home town for over two decades, and has fallen in love with the city. “I love the city and the way it has grown in these years and I am excited to see what it holds for the future,” she says about the city. She has always been at the forefront in taking decisions in life. Be it choosing subjects or friends, she has made astute decisions. She also shared a good relation with her teachers and friends. She made sure that each of them felt special and loved, with her own handcrafted gifts.
A St. Helena’s High School alumnus, Harshita has been a math aficionado right from class 3. Her math’s teacher, Mrs Penumaka made math’s fun. “I shall always be indebted to her. She was my ‘Mr. Miyagi’. She enthused me with the basics of Algebra and Geometry through simple and practical applications.” The solar system always fascinated Harshita and she would dream of walking in space. On being taught the concept in Class 3, she questioned her teacher if she could get there. A special mention for Prof. Balaji Reddy, who taught her Production and Operations Management (POM) in Balaji Institute of Modern Management (BIMM) and made the subject “so interesting and relatable,” recalls Harshita about her academic days.
Harshita has gone through the placement grind not once but twice. She was at Tata Communications Ltd (TCL) as an Executive Engineer after her Electronics and Telecommunications engineering from DY Patil in Pune. “I have worked with two organizations, my previous engagement before MBA was with TCL as an Executive Engineer post Electronics and Telecommunications engineering from DY Patil, Pune. TCL was my first brush with professional life, while living away from home for the first time and working in Chennai,” she said.
‘I couldn’t crack the first two interviews, but I didn’t lose heart as I was confident of what I had made of myself in the two years at BIMM. Being rejected twice wasn’t a setback. I didn’t fear the outcome as I thought to myself that may be the organization didn’t suit me’
Harshita with friends
Harshita family members make a happy picture“I learnt quite a bit and realized I could grow further with management education. Now I am placed with Infosys as an Associate Consultant,” Harshita explains. Her dedication and commitment in her job has seen her showered with awards. “Over the last ten months, I have received rewards and recognition twice. I was recently recognized as an outstanding debutant among a team of 13,000. It has bolstered my confidence and given me the sense that I belong,” she said.
Though placed twice in her career, placement after MBA holds a special place in her life. Each institution has been a stepping stone for Harshita. With a pinch of extra-curricular activities, a dash of academics and a spoonful of vivacity it has been a holistic experience throughout. A couple of years at MBA college (BIMM) has groomed her into a perfect professional. She thanks her parents who rightly placed her in top notch institutions that taught her to be punctual, responsible and judicious. Consequently, her tenure with BIMM has helped her put these into practice.
She failed to crack the first two interviews, but that did not deter her as she always thought she was capable and her positive approach made a difference. “I couldn’t crack the first two interviews, but I didn’t lose heart as I was confident of what I had made of myself in the two years at BIMM. MBA placements do hold a special place. Honestly, it was fun for me. Being rejected twice wasn’t a setback. I didn’t fear the outcome as I thought to myself that may be the organization didn’t suit me. I always believed, it is not always that you have to suit the role, but the role too should suit you,” says the gold medal winner at BIMM. A recipient of the ‘Panache’ award at the BAM Presentations and various other rewards at Infosys, she feels accomplished and yet has the humility to know that there is a long way to go. “I credit my parents who believed in me. The journey of life is magical and I have my own bag of tricks,” she signs off.
‘Life is like a doughnut. Not everything about the doughnut is perfect. But I love its imperfections as much, as just the sight of it brings a smile on a person’s face’
Harshita with friendsLife is like a doughnut. Not everything about the doughnut is perfect. But I love its imperfections as much, as just the sight of it brings a smile on a person’s face.
By Joe Williams
