Never look at perks when you get a call for your first job; take it as a learning experience and monetary benefits will fall in place as you walk along the path with commitment and dedication, says Riya Sanmukhani
Riya and her grandparents at her convocation ceremonyLearning at every step in life and climbing up the ladder of success is the mantra of this budding youngster, Riya Sanmukhani from Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. According to her, bothering about monetary benefits in the beginning of one’s career is just a waste of time. As she puts it in a nut shell, “It is learning and hard work that will give an edge over your peers in one’s career. One always has to give something to get something back, and the doors to reap rich harvests (perks) will always be wide open.”
A pass-out from St. Mary’s convent back home, Riya is always eager to learn. After her MBA from a well-known college in Pune, she dreams of a Ph.D. in business studies and marketing. As a first step, she was picked up by the campus placement cell as Deputy Manager, Elite Trade Relations Group (ETRG), ICICI Bank.
Riya did her XIIth from St. Mary’s convent Ujjain and went on to do her graduation in business management. It was during this period that she saw a major transition in her life. A book worm, reading books on whatever subject she can lay her hands on, she wants to do a doctorate in business management. Studious and always at the forefront for helping people has made her a darling of everyone. She always kept herself busy even during leisure, taking part in cultural activities. All these qualities have paved the way for a simple and balanced lifestyle. She believes that life is nothing but the amalgamation of experiences and new beginnings; especially the one towards growth is something she is looking forward to. She has always been a person who never wanted to miss out on relationships as well as her goals. Thus she has gone an extra mile and burnt the midnight oil, and that is how she learned and outgrow her own limitations. Although an average student in school, it was at her degree college where she blossomed and her gold medal was a fitting reward for her hard work. She says “Every phase is a golden phase, be it childhood or schooling or college. I believe we should live every moment to the fullest,” she says.
It is learning and hard work that will give an edge over your peers in one’s career. One always has to give something to get something back, and the doors to reap rich harvests (perks) will always be wide open
Riya at her convocation
Riya at the convocation ceremony with her grandparentsThe college and her stint at the placement cell have given her a perfect insight into the placement process. As she says, “To be honest, the placement process wasn’t that tough a deal to crack, as we Balajians are groomed in such a way that the final placement is just a cake walk.” She is placed with ICICI Bank as deputy manager, in the ETRG department. She was first posted at Panjim in Goa, and her commitment to the job saw her getting transferred to a place close to her home town.
As a fresher she did not bother about perks but looked at it as a learning phase and made the most of it. As she says, “Hard work will never go waste; on the contrary, it is a stepping stone to success. Hard work and determination are something one has to deliver in order to reap the perks.”
For her, placement has not been testing, as she was involved with it during the early stage as an MBA student. It was not just the placement but admission and presentation which helped widen her vision. “I closely related to management as I was accountable for getting jobs for my college mates.”
Riya with her friends
Undoubtedly, the first people to be given credit to for her success are her parents. But there have been many others who played their role in shaping her life. “The constant support of my friends, professors, and special thanks Bala sir and Biju sir who have sown the seeds of success,” she says. As she recalls, “I met Bala Sir for the first time during my group discussion at the time of admissions and he said : “You are chota packet bada dhamaka” and the institution has given me ample opportunities to bring out the best in me.”
Coming from a joint family has helped her in many ways. Despite being the only child of her parents she has not missed out on any count, as grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins were always around her. Her happiest moment was when her dadaji (grandfather) received her post-graduation medal instead of her. She was very lucky to have both her grandparents at the function.
Being positive, honest and sincere towards anything and everything will give you a happy life and when you want something the whole universe will conspire to help you achieve it, says Riya.
By Joe Williams
