INSPIRATION IS EVERYWHERE
If you have the nerve and the right source of inspiration then the world is your oyster. And Masoom Ali Taqvi is a true testament to this. This soft-spoken and a man of few words has made the best of both worldsthe entrepreneurial and the corporate realm. Encashing on his internship experience, Masoom got placed in the first attempt with Deloitte Tax Services India Pvt. Ltd. and has been recently promoted as their Tax Consultant II. In a conversation with Corporate Citizen, he shares his entrepreneurial and internship journey, his turning point in life, how to prepare for campus placement and more
Masoom hails from Jaipur, Rajasthan. His father’s businesses, first on the lines of transport and second, trading in light fittings, has offered Masoom several valuable lessons. His brother Dr Shez has always been his constant source of inspiration. “Inspiration is everywhere and often right next to you. All you need is the will to reach your goal. So, keep an open eye,” he smiled. Masoom completed his graduation in Commerce and then moved to Pune to pursue his PG in Finance.
Sharing a childhood anecdote, Masoom said, “Growing up, I was an average student. However, when I entered college, I saw my grades getting better and better. When I analysed the situation, I realised that I was quite motivated by my younger brother, Shez. He had topped his 10th board exams. That pumped my enthusiasm to do well. With that said and done, I started enjoying accounting. Accounting proved to be a turning point in my life and after that, there was no looking back. So, with the right inspiration, hard work and picking a course that I loved, helped me score good grades.”
INNOVATIVE AND RESOURCEFUL
At 21, Masoom had to take a two year’s gap from studying. His back pain had gotten worst that restricted him from sitting and studying for long hours. “Every cloud has a silver lining. Likewise, every bad situation comes with an opportunity, not always immediately but eventually. Although I was bedridden, I did not give up. My cousin and I started an event’s venture. Soon, we began taking up small gigs, which added to our experience,” he said.
His firm, The Best Services and Events broadened his horizons. And even before he began his MBA or entered the corporate world, the knowledge that his business showered on him, added to his acumen. “This business helped me grow leaps and bounds. I learnt how to manage people, market our product and co-ordination. This experience came in handy during my internship and later when I started my first job,” he added.
STEPPING STONE
Nothing in life comes easy, he feels. “One has to work hard to achieve their goals,” said Masoom. And that’s what he did during his summer internship. Masoom put his best foot forward and gave everything he had when he bagged the internship with Deloitte. “At first, my internship looked like a mammoth task. But as I had some experience of setting up a business, I realised this wouldn’t be that difficult. Courtesy of a supportive team, I got an opportunity to explore the endless prospects that the industry had to offer. Internships are a stepping stone. We ought to embrace with open arms,” he explained.
"To fare well in the personal interview round, it is mandatory to do some background analysis about the company"
- Masoom Ali Taqvi
GALLOPING AHEAD
As soon as he came back from the internship, he along with his friends started preparing for the campus placement. “We did not leave a single stone unturned. After college hours or whenever we were free, my friends and I would prepare for group discussions. The mock-up interviews gave us an upper hand. Studying with friends is a great way to learn as we encash on each other’s experience and knowledge,” he said.
Talking about his interview experience, he said, “Before appearing for the interview, apart from my group studies with friends, I spent a lot of time researching about the company. When we were informed that Deloitte was about to come to our campus, I pulled up my socks. I had interned with the same company and wished to work with the same. I was determined and nothing was going to stop me,” he said.
Deloitte was the first company that he appeared for and he got through on the first attempt. “Deloitte has a slightly different aptitude round. With enough hard work, I was able to get through the first two rounds. The personal interview round with Deloitte was pretty smooth as well. And within no time, I got placed,” he said. It’s been two years since Masoom is working with Deloitte. Currently, owing to the situation, he has been working from home. Keeping a positive mindset, he is giving his best and learning on the go. Masoom has grown leaps and bounds as his company nurtures him the right way.
As Masoom Ali Taqvi settles in well in the corporate world, he shares a few tips for his juniors on how to prepare for campus placement and more:
Be focused: Ignore the noise and focus on your goal. This goal could be anything, getting placed in a good company or scoring good grades or being a nice person, always aim to be the best. Remember, your growth depends on your focus.
Hard work: Working hard builds a path towards success. You need to study every day to score well in the exams or even to get placed. The quest for perfection begins with hard work. It does matter if you are talented or not, just work hard towards your goal.
Be attentive: Your professors have seen the corporate world better than you. Their notion about this field is what will enlighten you. Pay keen attention to what they teach you. Encashing on their anecdotes will take you a long way.
Do your research: To fare well in the personal interview round, it is mandatory to do some background analysis about the company. It gives you an idea about the company’s performance, its vision and mission, competitors and more.
Your patience will pay off: If you follow a disciplined life by working hard, being consistent and focused you will surely achieve your goal. However, it might take some time. Don’t get dejected if you fail to get placed in the first attempt. Keep at it, your day will come.