Born in Delhi, brought up in Pune and now working with Deloitte as a Tax Consultant in Hyderabad, is the journey Reva Shree Baniya made. All along, she followed her father’s example in striving hard to attain perfection, and that helped her succeed...
“Literature, I feel is the mirror of life. It makes you more understanding and the deepest meaning of life lies in literature”
Reva did her schooling up to XII Std. at Bishop’s co-ed school, Pune and later went to St. Mira’s College for her graduation in Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
Daughter of Dharmender Kumar, a mechanical engineer with Adient, Pune, and mother Deepa Baniya, a higher secondary school teacher at Eon Gyanankur School, Pune, she also has a younger sister, Surbhi who is studying Physiotherapy in Pune. It has been around this family circle that Reva’s life revolved and she treasures all this. Her parents supported her every decision and guided her throughout. The main driving force has been her father, as he always strived for perfection in everything. And this was her mantra too for success.
It was a fun and a carefree childhood for Reva. She grew up with friends, playing in the garden until her feet turned sore and she could barely walk back home. But life turned serious when she walked into college for her graduation. And the “Student of the Year” award changed her life for good. Literature had been her favorite subject which remains so even till today, as she says, “Literature, I feel is the mirror of life. It makes you more understanding and the deepest meaning of life lies in literature.”
She was an average student in school, an extreme introvert and kept entirely to herself through school. It was in college that she realized her self-confidence, and took full advantage to become pro-active in extracurricular activities and realized her potential for public speaking. “This art of being able to express myself clearly helps me the most in my career today,” says she.
“Getting into this company (Deloitte) as a fresher right out of college is an advantage, as we are like fresh mud and can be molded easily as per the company’s desired requirement. Also, the enthusiasm to learn new things will keep us motivated and in turn, keep us innovative in our thought process”
Reva with her familyShe had to face a battery of tests before being found fit for Deloitte. It all started with the briefing about the company with regard to work profile, package, etc., followed by the different tests. The process comprised of three elimination rounds-of spoken English, comprehension capabilities and finally MS Excel (shortcuts, formulae, etc.). Upon clearing these tests, Reva got the ticket for the all-important interview round. Thanks to the college, Reva was one among many to face the interview. “The preparation for the interview rounds began extensively. My friends played a major role in motivating me and keeping me abreast with the latest knowledge in the financial arena.”
“The judgment day finally dawned and with high aspirations, I reached the designated place well before time. It started with the HR round which was very basic in nature, such as with questions about oneself, hobbies and why one preferred Deloitte.” Reva was good in the interview, so unlike others who were informed a little later of clearing this round, the HR personnel told her to go to the next round–technical round. “To my surprise, the technical round seemed like an HR round yet again, the questions asked were very generic and the interviewer made it less intimidating, which was good,” recalls Reva. She was questioned on her knowledge of basic accounting, and was told to elaborate on her summer internship project. Then Reva made it to the final round, the ‘Leadership Round’.
Clearing the rounds with ease boosted Reva’s morale and made her more confident than before. The last round of the interview was conducted by an interviewer who was from US and it was his first campus placement experience in India. He was excited and also very happy with the standards of knowledge and confidence that he’d seen during the course of the day, said Reva. Being the first person to appear for the interview is a disadvantage, as he/she has to wait for everyone to finish, and it was so for Reva, and the most nerve-wracking part of the day.
“We were finally called into the meeting room–at around 8 pm our names were called out. The memory of that one moment still lingers on and makes me excited till date! Then began the ritual of calling family and loved ones to share this news with them. It is indeed one of the most sought-after placement procedures as you are evaluated in every aspect and then deemed fit for the job and the company.”
Apart from other perks, working with Deloitte as a Tax Consultant in Hyderabad is the biggest perk in itself. “Getting into this company as a fresher right out of college is an advantage as we are like fresh mud and can be molded easily as per the company’s desired requirement,” says Reva. “Also, the enthusiasm to learn new things will keep us motivated and in turn, keep us innovative in our thought process.”
With parents and friends around her, Reva never felt out of place during the entire process, and optimism was at its peak during that crucial period. Being hired in one of the biggest companies is a major accomplishment in itself, but that is just the beginning, as one has to prove worthy at work which is a greater challenge. It has been one year so far for Reva with the company, and every day is a learning one for her.
Buying gifts for family and friends with her first salary was the happiest time in her life, and staying positive, believing everything will fall in place and that everything happens for the best,is what is life is all about, says Reva.
By Joe Williams
