Striking the Right Balance
Yes, you can’t wake up one day and expect to get placed in the best company. You’ve to work hard each day to get what you desire, he smiled. No wonder, getting placed is a work of art. And he has cracked this code exceptionally well. Meet Amit Dorkadi, a budding corporate professional, sportsperson, soon- to-be avid traveller, entrepreneur, and most of all a humble human. He has big plans. Amit is currently working with Kansai Nerolac paints, as an Assistant Manager in the corporate planning department. In a conversation with the Corporate Citizen, Amit talks on his educational journey, and his campus placement experience, and shares a few tips for his juniors on how to prep for the campus placement, and more
Amit belongs to Belagavi, Karnataka, a city known for its quaint atmosphere and determined locals. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Amit was inspired to follow a clear path towards success despite the anticipated obstacles along the way. “In short, the path was quite clear in my head. Of course, I knew the destination will be laden with hurdles. But, being headstrong allowed me to take up the challenges,” said Amit.
Balancing academic pursuits with recreational activities
Amit strongly believed in the adage ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ He understood the importance of balancing academic pursuits with recreational activities to maintain a vibrant and interesting personality. “Studies are important, but school and college are also about playing, exploring, and finding yourself,” he added. Right from his teen years, he set out to conquer the world, one step at a time. Be it karate, cricket or football, Amit excelled in all the sports.
Talking about his sports journey, he said, “I captained my school’s cricket team when I was in tenth grade. In a nail-biting match, our school won the championship, and I was awarded the man of the match, and that is the shining highlight of my sports career that broadened my horizons.” And what has sports taught you, he was quick to respond, “Sports has taught me to be calm, composed, and resilient. It has further increased my focus, consistency, and patience. And all this is reflected in my exams. And even now in my corporate career, I ride high on this experience.” And he urges all the students to indulge in extra circular activities to grow in life. After completing his graduation in Mechanical Engineering from KLS Gogte institute of Technology, Belagavi, he moved to Pune to start his corporate journey with Automotive Stampings and Assemblies Ltd (ASAL).
Signing the deal
Joining the corporate world immediately after completing his studies brought Amit one step closer to his objective. His experience working with ASAL proved to be a turning point in his life. “After seeking guidance from both seniors and friends, I received the advice to gain industry experience before embarking on an MBA program,” he said.
During his tenure at ASAL, he had an exceptional experience acquiring knowledge about manufacturing processes, inventory management, interpersonal skills, and progressing up the career hierarchy. “Banking on this experience, I decided to pursue my MBA. And little did I know, this experience will land me into a great opportunity during my campus placement,” he added.
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do and do it every day. One won’t get good marks or get placed instantly if one studies a day before the campus placement interview. Revise your subjects each day. Trust me, the reward of consistency is outsoutstanding"
Final touches
Amit’s goal upon enrolling in the MBA program (Operations and Supply chain Management) was to secure a job with a reputable company. And for that to happen, he was fully aware that success in life requires effort and dedication. “I was willing to put in my blood, sweat and tears for this,” he exclaimed with a smile. True to his word, he worked tirelessly to prepare for the campus placement, leaving no aspect unexplored. “The famous phrase ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ emphasises the importance of consistent hard work, right from the beginning. By putting in small, persistent efforts each day, you can achieve significant results over time,” he added.
Talking about his campus placement preparations, he said, “I made it a habit to read the newspaper every day, attended lectures with great attention, conducted thorough online research, and engaged in healthy debates with my friends.” With a clear focus in mind, he knew exactly how to navigate the interview process and present himself in the best possible light. “My presence of mind, combined with my prior work experience and diligent efforts, led me to secure the finest job opportunity.”
It has been four years since he joined Kansai Nerolac Paints in Mumbai. He continues to learn and grow with each passing day. In April 2022, he got married to Nisha (Practicing lawyer), which completed a full circle of life and added a new dimension to his journey. Talking about what’s next on his plate, he said, “I aspire to explore the world alongside my better half. Entrepreneurship runs in my family, and I hope to follow in their footsteps and make them proud by establishing myself as a successful entrepreneur.”
Tips to prepare for campus placement:
Consistency is the key: The only way to do great work is to love what you do and do it every day. One won’t get good marks or get placed instantly if one studies a day before the campus placement interview. Revise your subjects each day. Trust me, the reward of consistency is outstanding.
Keep yourself updated: All three rounds of campus placement thrive on your current affairs knowledge. For that read the newspaper daily. Download apps that allow you to understand industry trends better. Thoroughly research the company that you are applying for.
Be a kid too: College life is not only about books, studies, exams and assignments. It’s also about living each experience. Make new friends, take trips, attend fests, work out, pick up a hobby, and learn to strike a balance between your academics and personal life.
Be calm and composed: Although college life can be challenging, students must learn to stay calm and composed in all situations to be successful. This helps them think logically, gain clarity of mind and be prepared for campus placements. Maintaining a calm and composed demeanour allows students to navigate through tough situations with a clear mind and make sound decisions.