Towards success one step at a time
Sharp, dedicated, and exceptionally focused, Nilesh Sharma diligently paved his way to his dream. Despite being initially reserved and introverted, his post-graduate experience became a turning point, transforming him into a confident corporate professional. This newfound confidence proved invaluable during his campus placement journey. Nilesh currently excels as a Senior Consultant at PwC. In an interview with the Corporate Citizen, Nilesh spills the beans 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…
Born and raised in Jaipur, Nilesh always harboured grand aspirations. The city's vibrant atmosphere fuelled his determination to venture out and conquer the world. “Yes, with that, having the unwavering support and love of my parents, I found the motivation to pursue my dreams, even though I grew up within my comfort zone,” said a proud Nilesh.
The turning point
During his time in school and high school, Nilesh was consistently an average student. And he harbours no regrets about this. “I used to consistently achieve average marks, which were enough to help me pass all my grades. I didn't stress too much about being at the top, as I had confidence that when the right time came, I would excel. Fortunately, that time did come,” he said, while further adding, “All you need to do is have faith in yourself. When the right time comes, you will surely soar high. Until then, one must have patience.”
Soon after completing his BTech from Jaipur University, he moved to Pune to pursue his further education, an MBA in Operations. “Earlier, I had opted for Marketing, but a few days into it, I realised that this is not my cup of tea. That's when I thought of taking operations, and I fell in love with it. So, my point is one must try everything before you find your passion,” he said.
The transition from Jaipur to Pune proved to be more challenging than he had anticipated. What initially seemed like a daunting task of connecting with the students, eventually turned into a breeze. “Having achieved a perfect attendance record, I was honoured with the role of class representative. This marked a significant turning point in my life. Initially, I was reserved and apprehensive, but within no time, I began forming connections and building friendships. This experience bolstered my confidence, equipping me to face any challenge that came my way.”
The Campus Placement Saga
A focused Nilesh was sure of what he was expecting from campus placement. “Of course, I wanted to gain all the knowledge and experience, but more than that I was looking for a great placement. And for that, I needed to give my best and I was ready to do so.”
Come campus placement, and Nilesh had a great plan of action. “I sat for more than 30 companies, without a specific agenda in mind. I aimed to gain the experience of participating in the campus placement session. Through this, I came to realise that nothing in life is truly difficult if you set your mind to it and put in the necessary hard work,” he said. While he further added, “I grasped the entire process with ease, and this bolstered my confidence for the actual interview. I was well-prepared for the aptitude round and approached it with confidence.
As for the group discussion and personal interview, my habit of attending lectures, staying abreast of current affairs by reading newspapers, truly paid off. Finally, the day arrived when I received the news of my placement in my dream company, Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS).”
After working with TCS for three years, he moved to PwC where he is having the time of his life. Talking about his future plans, he said, “I wish to climb the ladder of success slowly and steadily, without any haste. Additionally, I am keen on gaining a comprehensive understanding of the realms of investment and finance, knowing it will undoubtedly enhance my resume. Moreover, I aim to allocate more time for travel. Recently, I fulfilled a cherished dream by visiting the Jyotirlinga with my parents. This experience has reinforced my belief that the world holds endless opportunities, and I've only just embarked on my journey to conquer it,”
How to prepare for campus placements
Find your purpose: Strive to discover your purpose to make your life more meaningful. It will provide clarity in your educational and personal life, driving and motivating you. It will also contribute to your personal growth and development, giving you a sense of fulfilment. Also, having clarity about your goal will take you a long way.
Attend lectures: An invaluable cheat sheet for success is the simple act of attending all your lectures. Paying close attention can pave the way for significant progress. It fosters accountability, instills discipline, and hones your time management skills. The well- organised lectures are designed to dispel any doubts you may have, proving invaluable during campus placements and throughout your corporate journey.
Consistency is the key: Love what you do and do it every day. Achieving good marks or securing a placement requires consistent effort. Revise your subjects regularly, as the rewards of consistency are outstanding.
Solve papers: For the aptitude round along with attending your lectures, you should also solve one paper each day. This will give you a stronger hold on the aptitude round.
Read newspapers: Allocating at least an hour each day to reading a newspaper is highly beneficial for students. The advantages are numerous. It ensures you stay well-informed while enhancing your knowledge. It fosters critical thinking and improves analytical skills. Moreover, it aids in understanding current affairs, and most importantly, it plays a crucial role in preparing students for their future careers.
Embrace rejections: Setbacks and rejections are inevitable on your journey towards your goals. Embrace them as valuable learning opportunities. Take the lessons from these experiences and apply them to grow stronger. Remember to find joy in life amidst the challenges.