Making life large every moment
As Sahil Mokadam makes bold choices, he understands the importance of taking action and making choices that set him apart from the rest. This is precisely why he has secured a comfortable yet challenging role at MarketsandMarkets as a Team Lead in the Aerospace and Defence Division. “The idea is to embrace discomfort today to ensure a secure tomorrow,” he smiled. In a conversation with the Corporate Citizen, Sahil talks about his educational journey, his campus placement experience, shares a few tips for his juniors on how to prep for the campus placement and more
Even though Sahil is the only child of the Mokadams, they have ensured to instil in him the essential values of living a purposeful life and giving back to the country in the most beautiful way. He holds this value close to his heart. Born and raised in Amravati, Sahil has learned that being ambitious in life gives it meaning. “Although Amravati is a small town, it gave me the chance to be ambitious. The credit also goes to my parents and their upbringing. Even my cousins played a significant role in shaping my life,” said a humble Sahil.
A balanced educational journey
As we inquired about his experiences as a student, a proud Sahil was quick to respond, “Although I believe in balance, one could often spot me in the field rather than in the class. I enjoyed my time as a student, participating in more extracurricular activities than attending lectures. Yet, I found myself earning good grades, making me happy with the choices I made.”
Sahil completed his Mechanical Engineering from a university in Amravati and later moved to Pune to pursue his MBA in Sales and Marketing. Throughout his educational journey, Sahil was actively involved in leadership roles. “During my graduation days, I participated in many tech fests. When I moved to my MBA college, I became an integral part of the Student’s Council cell. In the first year, I served as the Discipline Coordinator, and in the second year, I took on the role of the Cultural Head. Additionally, I held the position of the official student photographer. All these activities made me realise the importance of leadership, patience, teamwork, networking, and ambition. So, I urge all students to step out of their comfort zones and explore the world through extracurricular activities.”
Big dreams
Courtesy of his cousins, Sahil had many to look up to when it came to inspiration. “They took their education from the same college as mine, and now they are working in big firms,” he added. Following in their footsteps, when he entered his post-graduation college, his dream was to focus on his studies without the pressure, all the while enjoying college life. And, he did exactly that.
Stepping stone
Life gave him many chances to show his worth and skills—Sahil did not leave a single stone unturned to shine bright. One of the biggest stepping stones was his internship with Whirlpool of India. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “At Whirlpool, I got the chance to explore the world. I was given the freedom to expand my skills. This is why I found myself more in the field, adding depth to my marketing skills. There, I was awarded the best intern for my work. As I walked away with a treasure trove of experience, the internship presentation that I was asked to give in college landed me in the top 10 rankers – making this internship an experience of a lifetime.”
Campus placement saga
The clarity in his thoughts gave him the upper hand during his campus placement journey. “The extracurricular activities I took part in were a learning lesson, a path to fare well in the campus placement season. Thanks to that, I never took any extra effort to study for the placement rounds. I sat for more than 10 companies before getting placed. This did not let my hopes down, as I believed in my worth, and I was patient. And when I got placed, it was an out-of-this-world feeling,” he said.
After working with ICICI Bank for a year and a half, he moved to MarketsandMarkets, where he experienced tremendous growth. Speaking fondly of his dreams, he said, “I have purchased a car; now the next goal is to buy a house and then settle down. I also wish to give back to my alma mater by grooming the young minds.” He signed off.
"Beyond excelling in your studies, it is imperative to enjoy college life. Forge friendships, participate in college festivals, and engage in the vibrant aspects of campus life"
-Sahil Mokadam
Tips on how to prepare for campus placement:
Don't succumb to pressure: Educational journeys are characterised by a mix of challenges and triumphs. The inevitable ups and downs may create pressure on students. However, succumbing to this pressure is counterproductive. It exacerbates stress and anxiety, adversely impacting both academic performance and the journey towards campus placement. Instead of succumbing to the pressure, it is more beneficial to embrace the challenges with an open mind. Embrace failures as opportunities to learn and grow
Explore and network: College festivals and corporate conclaves provide students with invaluable opportunities to connect with peers and professionals alike. These platforms serve as ideal arenas for exploration, allowing students to meet new people and engage in meaningful interactions. Networking emerges as a crucial skill in this context. The key to effective networking lies in building relationships based on trust and genuineness.
Keep trying never give up: A student's life is never hunky dory. There will be moments of success and moments of failure. The key is to learn from both experiences and persevere. Regardless of the challenges they face, students should never give up. Instead, they should use setbacks as opportunities for growth, applying the lessons learned to fuel their determination and hard work in the future.
Don't be too choosy: Students are fortunate to encounter numerous options on their educational journey. However, they should avoid being overly selective. Each opportunity carries the potential for hope and growth, and there is a risk of missing out on these benefits if one is too choosy. Embracing a more open-minded approach increases the likelihood of gaining valuable experiences and seizing opportunities that contribute to personal and academic development.
Enjoy your college life too: A student's educational journey is one of the most significant learning experiences. However, adhering solely to academic pursuits without incorporating leisure activities can lead to a lacklustre experience. Therefore, it is essential to relish every facet of this journey. Beyond excelling in your studies, it is imperative to enjoy college life. Forge friendships, participate in college festivals, and engage in the vibrant aspects of campus life. Striking a balance between academic diligence and social involvement contributes to a more enriching and well- rounded educational experience.