Cruising through the Winds
Ketan Awalellu is a person who embraces offerings of life with open arms, always eager to explore. “It helps me grow,” he says with a smile. Whether it's delving into extracurricular activities late in life, visiting new places or mastering the intricacies of the corporate world, Ketan is committed to giving his best. Presently, he serves as an e-commerce Manager at Paxcom India. In an interview with the Corporate Citizen Magazine, Ketan 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…
He sounds confident about what he wants from life, quite unlikely for a person of his age. “It comes with experience, and once you start taking the roads less travelled, you flourish. That's how one becomes confident of what they want. Plus, my family played an enormous role in shaping me into the person I am today. So, I have a lot to thank them for,” said a confident Ketan, who was born and raised in Pune in a humble Awalellu family.
The initial days
In his early years, Ketan maintained an average academic record, yet what distinguished him was his exceptional self-awareness, a quality not often seen. "Until the 8th grade, I consistently earned good grades. However, it's widely acknowledged that performing well in Board exams paves the way for a successful career. I took the initiative and approached my studies with a newfound seriousness post-8th grade. The results were extraordinary. I not only cleared my 10th grade but excelled with flying colours. The crux of the matter lies in being self-aware," he expounded.
Ketan completed his graduation in Mechanical Engineering, and for his further studies, he opted for an MBA in Marketing and Sales. He believes that receiving the right type of education, the one that nurtures and amplifies your strengths, can lead you to great heights.
"Often, students end up working on their weaknesses while forgetting about their strengths. Alongside addressing their weaknesses, they should also cultivate their strengths to create a well-rounded skill set"
- Ketan Awalellu
The turning point
It was during his MBA phase that Ketan actively engaged in extracurricular activities, and it opened up a whole new world for him. "Once I started, there was no looking back," he recalled with a smile. "Shortly after the induction session, I was offered the role of class representative, which I gladly accepted. Then came the fests which resulted in me being involved in various teams. The level of exposure I gained was beyond my wildest expectations," he added.
Reflecting on his experience, he said, "I came to understand the significance of networking, and before long, I had forged some genuine friendships. So much so, that these friends became my pillar of strength when I lost my father. In the end, I realised that all along, I had been capitalising on my strengths, particularly in leadership roles. Overall, it definitely helped in my personal development". Lending a helpful tip for juniors, he said, “Invest in making good friends, they will help you sail through your toughest times.”
The campus placement saga
Ketan expresses profound gratitude to his college for thoroughly preparing him for the campus placement rounds. "They spared no effort and groomed us effectively to step into the corporate world. In addition to that, I made it a habit to read the newspaper daily and conducted mock Personal Interviews (PI) and Group Discussions (GD) with my friends. I had a clear idea of what I was aiming for, so I patiently waited for the right opportunity. All the hard work paid off when I secured a position with Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetable. After gaining valuable experience, I transitioned to Paxcom, where I am currently thriving."
When it comes to his personal aspirations, Ketan has already achieved two significant milestones. Having diligently saved up, he acquired his dream cruiser bike, and he hopes to travel places on it. As a devoted son, he is on the verge of acquiring his own house in the city. Looking ahead, in terms of personal goals, he aims to climb to a top management position in the coming years. Beyond that, he views the world as his playground, brimming with enthusiasm to explore every corner of it.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR CAMPUS PLACEMENTS
Work on your strengths too: Often, students end up working on their weaknesses while forgetting about their strengths. Alongside addressing their weaknesses, they should also cultivate their strengths to create a well-rounded skill set. This will enhance your confidence, boost your self-esteem, and further develop your abilities. Overall, it will help you secure a good placement, adding to your satisfaction and fulfilment.
Build connections and network: Succeeding in life, college, or the corporate world requires building genuine connections. When done wholeheartedly, it offers career opportunities, valuable knowledge and insights, which leads to personal and professional development and confidence. With that, make good friends, they will help you sail through all the tough times be it professional or personal life.
Be emotionally intelligent: We need to remember that emotional intelligence is the key to both personal and professional success. Being emotionally intelligent will help the students be self-aware, act with empathy, and effectively communicate.
Nurturing confidence in imperfection: Not every student is perfect; they are a work in progress. But by being confident, they can present themselves in a better version of themselves. This will help them tackle fear, anxiety and the pressure of performance. It keeps them motivated to do better. This is particularly important during GD and PI rounds, where confidence can make a significant difference.
Get out of your comfort zone: Explore the world, for it is your oyster. Students should learn to engage in activities that they are not familiar with, as it helps with the learning process and pushes them out of their comfort zone. It promotes the idea of discovery and removes the fear of failure.