Adapt to the conditions that the present world is looking for, that will narrow down your options a great deal while appearing for placement, suggests Indrani Kaur Sabharwal, spelling out the key to her success
There were many hurdles before Indrani Kaur Sabharwal, who passed out from one of the well-known colleges in the city, before she made headway into the corporate world. A lover of pets and reptiles, she always wanted to be a veterinary doctor and serve animals, but as she grew up she realised that her goal had changed. She narrowed down her options a great deal when it came down to placement. But when things did look bright for her, she was ruled out of placement due to her poor attendance. Because of severe dengue in the previous semester, it took quite a while to make up for her lack of attendance. But her determination and focus to turn the tables saw her cut across the lines to join Aditya Birla Retail Ltd. (ABRL), as a retail leadership programmer. As she recalls the ordeal, “It took me quite a while to make up for my attendance. Once I was eligible, I decided retail was the best sector for me, and I started applying for placements accordingly.” Today, this adventurous girl who loves trekking, riding two-wheelers and pets has made it into the corporate world and is now set to explore the world.
Born and brought up in Mysore, she moved to Chennai, Bengaluru, Thane and finally to Pune, along with her family, as her father, Hardev Singh Sabharwal switched jobs. “Since I shifted around a lot as a kid, I know the basics of quite a few languages (Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, French). I also have no problem mingling with people or adjusting to new environments. I have been in Pune for almost 12 years now (since 2006), so I am more attached to this city as compared to others,” she recalls. Thankfully, it was here that her father held on to one job over a long period, and this enabled Indrani to complete her studies. She completed her schooling from Hutchings High School and later joined Bishop’s Junior College for her XIth and XIIth. “I have always been an introvert, in the sense that I prefer solitude over unnecessary interaction. That does not mean I’m uncomfortable interacting with people. I’d just rather curl up with a book and a mug of coffee or play with dogs or go on treks or long drives with a select few.”
With the loving family
Then came the Symbiosis School of Economics. “I decided to pursue commerce in XIth and XIIth. Two subjects caught my interest, Computer Science and Economics. I am a strong believer of the fact that a good teacher is the key to a child’s interest in any subject. Luckily enough, I had excellent teachers for both the subjects. It was probably the only time in my life when I hung back after lectures clarifying doubts or asking for extra information on the topics covered in class. In fact, I still have the notebooks I used for these subjects.” She took a break from regular studies to learn French and prepare for MBA exam. “I got through Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS), FLAME Institute and BIMM. After a thorough research, I decided that BIMM would be a better option for me. Learning opportunities, strict curriculum and the return on investment were some of the major factors which attracted me to the institute,.” she says.
Apart from academics, since she was staying all alone for the first time in her life, there were certain tenets she vouched for and practised, which helped her to manage all by herself.
Hitting the open road with friends
She did have some reservations when it came to placement. The Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) industry was the last option she ever thought of, but again adapting to the conditions, she narrowed down her options a great deal while appearing for placement. ABRL came for campus placement only to BIMM. It was a pool campus process, and her college candidates were joined by MIT students as well. There were over 200 people who sat for the process which consisted of aptitude test, case study, group activity, psychometric test and finally the personal interview.
Indrani did some homework before she took up the decision to be a part of ABRL. “I did speak to a few people and also a few seniors working in the company. Once I was sure that I wanted to go ahead with this company, the only thing standing in my way was the aptitude test. This was definitely not my forte as I lack expertise in the field of maths. To overcome this roadblock, I solved many practice tests online. I also referred to the books I used for MBA entrance exams. This definitely helped me get through the aptitude test.”
Then came what every candidate looks forward to—his/her name to be announced. “When the panel was declaring the results, the tension in the room was palpable. As and when they took a candidate’s name, I’d clap almost mechanically because I was so focused on hearing my name. My name was taken right at the end, and it felt like I could breathe again. Post this, I do not remember much. All that I remember was placing a call to my parents as well as my grandparents. Hearing the relief in their voices was the only thing that made the idea of me getting placed seem real.”
“Since I shifted around a lot as a kid, I know the basics of quite a few languages (Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, French). I also have no problem mingling with people or adjusting to new environments”
Sharing a happy moment with friends
“Being a fresher, I believe that I would be more adaptable and flexible to new experiences. I’d be a fast learner as all that I have right now is theoretical knowledge. I suppose many companies prefer hiring freshers so that they can mould us to fit into the company, and they look forward to the zest and vigour that come with us. I would like to evolve into a corporate citizen from a student manager. I am looking forward to this change and there is nothing that can stand in the way of success.”
She gives all credit to her success to her parents. She is of the opinion that it is their (parents’) hard work and sacrifice which helps children to evolve into the persons they become. “I can only hope that I continue to bring joy to their lives by not just meeting their expectations, but surpassing them completely. We are a summation of all the experiences that we go through, success as well as failures. Crediting just one aspect of life would be an injustice to the rest. I have no complaints, nor regrets holding me back. I am grateful for every bump and curve on the road that I’ve travelled, as I am at peace with where I am now. Now, I’m setting out to inherit the ocean from the edge of the sky”.
By Joe Williams
