SUCCESS THROUGH DISCIPLINE, DETERMINATION, DEDICATION
For Manish Gupta, discipline, determination and dedication are the three important takeaways from his post-graduation college and incorporating these values in his daily regime has made his corporate life a lot easy. A quick learner and a keen observer, Manish encashed on his experience to perform well in the summer internship which helped him secure a pre-placement offer from the same company. Currently, working with HDFC Bank, Pune, as their Deputy Manager. In an interview with Corporate Citizen, Manish talks about the importance of taking chances, how to prepare for campus placement and more
Although Manish is a native to Narsinghgarh, Madhya Pradesh, he barely stayed there. His quest for education and knowledge took him places. Born into a family of entrepreneurs, he and his elder brother, Aradhya, dared to choose to different streams, something that their heart always yearned for. “I live in a joint family. And this has put a lot of things into perspective. I look up to my brother and following his steps has prepared me for the best. Travelling to different cities for education gave me chance to understand people which has added to my experience,” Manish explained.
STRONG FOUNDATION
Growing up, as Manish said, he was just an average student. Social sciences were never his forte but when it came to numbers, he was the best. Manish completed his early schooling from his hometown. After his sixth grade and up until 10th, he used to commute every day to Deogarh, around 40km from his hometown.
When he chose commerce as his favoured stream, there was no stopping him. “I am good with numbers,” he smiled, “In school, I wasn’t able to score good grades as I never believed in mugging up. The scene completely changed when I entered college. Choosing commerce eased me a lot. And as I opted for something that I really love, my grades started to pick up. So much so, that I topped the college as well. That is when I realised, we should focus on doing things that we are not only good at but also doing things that give us happiness.”
TAKING CHANCES
Continuing his love affair with numbers, preparing for CA was an obvious next choice, for which he moved to Indore. “This was where my foundation was set. I was struck by a revelation which was life-changing,” he said. Talking about the learnings, he explained, “The charm of taking chances is always rewarding. Give your hundred per cent to reach your goal. But one needs to draw a line and start working on the backup plan when you fail to achieve your goal.”
He cleared the first round easily and in two attempts he was able to move to the third round. “Even after rigorous efforts, I wasn’t able to clear the last around. By then, I had also completed my CA Articleship and gained enough technical know-how. I took a step back and realised that this was not working for me. Without wasting any time, I chose to move on. Pursuing MBA looked viable and I shifted to Pune to chase my new dreams,” Manish quipped. He completed his MBA in Finance and Marketing from a well-known college in Pune. And the values that his college taught him are safe in his mind and heart. A marketing class topper and a Gold Medallist for securing the first rank in and IT training, and Manish was off to conquer the corporate world. “My PG college was strict. At first, managing the surprise tests, lectures all day long and back-to-back assignments looked like a task. But we soon got used to it. I knew attending lectures were a boon, hence, I never missed any class,” he said. While further adding, “The college is strict for a reason. They prepare us for the corporate world. Instead of cribbing over it, we need to understand the intention behind it.”
"We should focus on doing things that we are not only good at but also doing things that give us happiness"
- Manish
THE PRE-PLACEMENT OFFER
His summer internship with HDFC Bank was special. Manish was exposed to several new concepts but he soaked all of them quite easily. “My internship was a great learning experience as I was subjected to various job roles. During this course, I learnt how to open saving and current accounts. What brought me into the limelight was the way how I made the sales and sold loans. Taking my overall performance into the consideration, I was given the pre-placement offer,” he smiled.
It’s been almost a year since Manish has been working with HDFC Bank, Pune, as their Deputy Manager. And to do something that he loves puts a smile on his face. “It’s not at all days are hunkydorky. To survive in the corporate world is exceedingly difficult. There are days when nothing will work for you. During such days, be calm and composed. Remember for every dark night, there is a brighter day. The tables will turn only if you are willing to work harder. Determination will take you places,” saying this, he signed off!
As Manish Gupta settles in well in the corporate world, he passes on a few tips for his juniors on how to prepare for campus placement and more…
Be on your toes: Attending lectures is crucial for several reasons. Don’t just hear what the professors are teaching. Listen to them and understand what they are trying to teach. It will define your connection with the concepts. And when you get home, you just have to revise them once. This is what will fetch you good grades. And yes, never miss even a single lecture.
Stay updated: Whenever a company is about to visit your company, do thorough research. Each company is unique. Visit their website and take a look at their current trends and latest updates. This information will come in handy during the personal interview round.
Be a keen observer and learner: Learning is a never-ending process. Any sort of knowledge that you gain will never go to waste. Don’t rush into things, observe them minutely and learn from them. During the personal rounds, the interviewer will surely notice these traits.
Practical knowledge is the key: Theoretical knowledge helps you to understand a topic but gaining practical experience on the same topic will help you gain mastery over any topic. Support your answers with real-life examples. It makes for a great impression.
Discipline, Dedication and Determination: All these three virtues go hand in hand. Be patient, things will fall in place. Don’t ever think of giving up when situations fail to favour you. Lead a disciplined life. Be determined of achieving your goal.