Internship Experience

13th Oct 8 AM

Like everyone, I was also apprehensive about the market – The job market. Virtually goods jobs were drying up. “Grab what ever u get” was the mantra given to us by everyone.

I dint make it in the shortlist of Citibank, consoled myself by saying that from the very beginning banks are not the place where I want to go.

Strangely IBM found me worthy enough to shortlist me. It is the same company which I dint joined few years back ever after getting selected. None the less now IBM was a hot pick for everyone. There would be a GD with 12 members each and 4 groups in all. Maddening competition it was. Being the first day of the summers everyone was beaming with energy. Everyone was dying to perform to get out of the race, the race of rats.

GD started and was anything but a fish market where everyone was trying to sell their ideas, dying to sell their ideas. I also raised my voice a bit and threw some crap. I had to speak, there was no other option. It ended, thank God it ended. I was calm, waiting for the shortlist.

I made it in the first GD shortlist. They selected 13 and my lady luck worked. As always my interview was at the end, name with “V” has some disadvantages and this is one of them. After 2 hours of wait I went inside with some confidence of making it through. They took just 1 and I was not that lucky one. Sleep was the only thing now which was playing in my mind as next war was on 8 hours away.

14th Oct 7.30 AM

Sleep, though not as sound as I would have liked it to be, helped me to recharge my batteries. Infinity research, Wipro and Avalon were lined up for today. Day started up by not making in the shortlist of Infinity research but rays of hope were still there in the form of Wipro and Avalon, so I ignored this temporary despair.

Avalon GD started. We were only 5 candidates (as they call) discussing some bizarre topic. As always I spoke, had to but we all were lost and were blabbering. I knew it and I dint make it in GD. But Wipro was still there. Competition was getting intense and people were becoming more aggressive.

1 more GD with 12 people in one group and 4 groups in all. I made it in this GD. This time my interview was not at last so some respite. I was observing strange pattern in my selection. Shortlist in every alternate company, every alternate GD shortlist and after one rejection I was hoping to make it in Wipro, hoping to maintain my logic.

“Sometimes I wonder if it’s better to wait for the interview or wait for the result”...

With all the thought lingering on in my mind I entered into the interview room with a big smile which was not that fake. It was 12 minutes of blitzkerg. 3 hours of wait for the result. But they we were informed that results will not be declared today so I went back to my nest trying to control my thoughts and calm myself. I logged on to the internet and saw message “Summers@Wipro”. It was from one of my classmate who also gave the interview and I got to know that I dint make it in top 5.

First real setback. I was putting all my energy to keep calm. It was only 10.30 PM but I slept, which is early by any standards. I needed rest. I needed to replenish my energy because the race was still on. I wanted to prepare myself...mentally, physically….

“My BE placement experience was coming very handy to keep the situation/thoughts under control”. This always strength my belief in experiencing, good or bad, everything in life as it always come in handy in the later part of your life.

15th Oct

Day started with so called bad news

I dint make it in TCS shortlist

I dint clear the aptitude test of Latent view

Body was starting to break...mentally, physically. 12 hours of wait and watch game daily was taxing.

But some hope was still there. “HP sales” was coming tomorrow. I was trying my level best not to put pressure on myself for HP sales. I was trying to ease the pressure by saying to myself that I am not born to work with HP so it’s ok, relax. I was constantly talking to myself…keep cool was the mantra. I did look in few marketing topics but that was it, nothing more than that. Then got the good news that TCS has selected 8 candidates and not the count was 22...the lucky one who were out of the race, the rat race.

16th Oct

General mood of the class was numb. People were loosing impatience to grab summers. Anything would do was the attitude. The wait was driving everyone crazy.

I read few things here and there and Dint attends the class. Listen to some nice music.

I reached the department in the after noon. The energy levels were really low. I could see lots of grim faces all around. I would not say that I was fully cheerful but I was still not broke. I was somehow managing the stress.

GD with 12 people and 4 groups was more or less the standard format. This time everyone tried not to make GD a fish market because few companies have given the bad feedback regarding the same. I fired few nice points in the GD, while trying my best not to confront anybody. When I came out my heart was pounding hard, sinking. I knew that my GD has gone fine but I was not acknowledging it as I know expectations hurt. It hurts when they are shattered.

I made it in the top 10. But competition was still hard because they might not take anyone was the verdict. Again the last interview. 8 minutes of blitzkrieg…crap...crap...crap...

Came out with no idea of how it went.

I made it…HP sales people found me worthy enough to select. I was numb for some time. Only thought that was coming to my mind was that of exit form the rat race. I was finally out of the rat race, the maddening race.

Every dog has its day

Today was my day…

It is nothing more than that.

Last four days have reinforced my belief in luck. Even as a science student I strongly believe in it. Yes hard work is important. It is a necessary but not a sufficient condition. I you want to make it, improve your luck. There are ways to improve your luck… “Being a good human being” is one of them.

Keeping calm in the most stressful situations is the most important mental condition one can strive for. One can’t fake it because it’s internal and not external. You have to develop it, slowly but surely. I took me two years to learn it, though I still need to go a long way.

Looking at the bigger picture is also imperative. One loss here and there does not make a difference. Your overall average should be good. You have to keep faith in your capabilities.

First 3 days @ DoMs--> Revisited

When we landed in Chennai we knew that coming two years are going to be the best time of our lifetime but barely did we know that everything will start the way it started. First three days at DoMS had a profound effect on all of us. Those three days looked like a long journey with hundreds of defining moments.
Let’s experience this unique experience.

Day 1

with millions of thoughts lingering in their minds bunch of students entered legendry Room no 101 without really knowing what to expect. It was there first class of MBA. We had lots of perceptions about everything and everyone was trying to judge everyone. Smart bunch of colleagues, great and kind faculty and great infrastructure overturned many of our apprehensions. Day started with the address from our HOD, faculty and was followed by a confusing lecture of "thinking globally" by entrepreneur from the Industry who confused everyone with the clarity of his thoughts. This was a nice part of the day. Quick lunch at Tiffany's as no1 wanted to go to mess in scorching heat. Non availability of cycle was starting to hurt almost everybody, especially by not so fairer gender.
At 5 PM seniors barged in, told every1 to give presentation on "How to sell DoMS" and write how we landed in DoMS till 9 PM. It seems that four hour is a good time for this. But no food, long distances made everything difficult. None the less everyone assembled and presentations started and went on till 1 AM in the night. PPT on Mausi proved to be a benchmarking performance and made a entry in the golden and elite pages of DoMS history. Hunger was almost killing everyone. Going to sleep was everyone's dream. But that dream could last only for 4 hrs as next day was a campus tour which was scheduled to start at 6 AM.

Day 2

waking up at 6 AM is not difficult especially when you don’t sleep at all. Campus tour started at 6.15 Am. This serene campus already had taken everybody’s breath away. This tour only added to it. With great flora and fauna and some nice sport facilities, the only reactions invoked were “WOW". Cricket stadium, Banks, Hospitals, Departments were all hidden behind a tick forest. This one hour walk revealed many hidden things. At 7.30 Am the only thing I could think was to catch some sleep before I again start the day at 9.30. But I always say you don’t get what you desire. Half asleep we barely managed to enter the class at the right time discovering yet another shortcut to the department. Lecture on CSR by Ex Editor of Frontline unveiled a lot of things and sensitized everyone for this noble cause. It was followed by a very sleepy lecture on IIT facilities and hierarchy. This still was good time.
History repeated itself and we were again told to give presentation on some weird topics. At the same time challenge was thrown open to people to get registrations for PAN IIT Meet from the Alumni’s who were present in the campus in big number for tomorrows 45th convocation. After quick dinner everybody again assembled in #101. Four hour of interactive session followed. Everyone was happy to finally end the day at 2 PM after having some enlightening discussions with super seniors who came to give us some Gyaan.


Day3

Some more Gyaan from Alumni who was working with CTS. It was followed by a presentation on “Choosing Career Path” by HR Head of Nissan-Renault. Auspicious practice of sleeping in the lectures had already begun with people struggling to keep their eyes as well as ears open. Finally free after 2 PM people decided to go out of the campus for the first time. Some reached ASCENDAS, one of the most famous places in Chennai with Chennai’s only MacD and KFC. Few decided to explore the campus and few decided to interact with the fairer gender which could make their stay at DoMS a pleasant stay. This was nice time for everyone. We felt like free birds dying to soar high in the sky. Food was already an issue almost among most of people especially North Indians as they are fondly called. To have something seemingly north Indian lots of people decided to Basera for dinner. Basera was not a big disappointment and we had found at least one place where we can come to satiate our quest for some Good Food. At the same time IIT Madras was already growing on everybody. We felt it when we went out for few hours. The whole ambience of IIT Madras had an occult effect on all of us.


By the end of first three days things have started to fall on place for all of us. We have started to developed strong bonds with each other. We have started to dream about our future, future of a successful person…

Epitome of Inependence

15th Aug 2008 8 AM

All of the India was celebrating its 62nd Independence Day. Everyone was Commemorating the independence of India. At the same time in a small room some where in Chennai some unique celebrations were going on. They were also celebrating Independence. But this was a distinct celebration of some other kind of independence. We all celebrated independence of 25 visually challenged girls of Goodwill foundation. Undoubtedly they epitomize true spirit of independence. Their independence is not about freedom of land from foreigners but it symbolizes the freedom of their soul. Efforts to make these talented girls independent have started to bear fruits which were displayed by the beautiful stage performances by these girls. Everything came up really beautifully.

Let’s experience this unique experience…

Room no 101 of DoMS, which surely is our second home was buzz with excitement. The whole atmosphere was electrifying as well as patriotic with everyone carrying small flag on their white kurtas, which was our de facto dress code. Big red tilak could only add more flavor to our theme. Entry of our 25 visually challenged momentarily altered the ambience of the room. Everyone now was calm and confused with what to expect next. It started with a meaningful welcome note by Shiwani and was followed by lamp lightening ceremony which was made international by presence of our Germans friends . CR sir added his own flavor prodding these girls by assuring his unstinted support to these girls. “Rang de basanti chola” changed everything all over again. With everyone singing and clapping it brought everyone back to high energy levels. Then a performance on Tamil song, which half of us dint understand, captured imagination of everyone present. It indeed was a gem of a performance by our talented young singers. Vipul played the guitar skillfully and I am sure he must have earned few hidden admirers. Now it was the time for our girls to come to the stage and showcase their singing talent. For the next 20 minutes there was an utter silence in the room. No body moved even an inch. Everyone was thoughtlessly thoughtless. Only one thing was playing in every bodies mind and soul and it was being sung by our hugely talented guests…………Without an iota of doubt the best performance of the day or perhaps of the long coming time.

As MBA students a lot of us use to think that when it comes to expressing their idea no one can beat us but all of us were easily proved wrong in the free style elocution competition in which our girls show cased their talent. Someone talked about Gandiji and some talked about Nahruji. But each one of the performer had something unique to offer. It again left us spellbound. Till now all most everyone present must have started to admire these hugely talented and confident girls who have decided to take on the challenge of the life head-on.

Next 2 hours were complete fun when we played few music games. It was extremely gratifying to see them laugh, clap and smile. We ended on a small prize and gift distribution ceremony where every volunteer and faculty present gave away the prizes and all of the girls.

I don’t have words to describe a lot of moments which all of us experienced subconsciously. All I can say is that when I was walking back to my place, my soul was completely at peace. I was completely void of thoughts…

This has marked an end to one phase of our efforts. Now we plan to start all over again. Miles to go before we sleep because a lot still needs to done…. …

Inching towards true Independence

15th Aug 2008 1 PM

It was an effort of more than 15 motivated students of DoMS IIT Madras to make this Independence event a unique experience for everyone involved. Everyone was busy giving finishing touches to the preparation till 1 AM in the morning. From small goodies bag to donation boxes to posters everything was made by all of us. A mere look at all the stuff we made everyone proud. But I must say that it was more of a fun , with everyone sitting in one room working dedicatedly and at the same time doing all kind of crap. Singing (perhaps) sutta and XLRI song gave everyone especially Vyas their well deserved break. Bragdeesh’s hidden talent was unveiled when he sang some strange English song with his melodious throat ;). Everyone now claims that Shiwani has grown up watching TV 24 7. The way she still remembers all the Nirma ads and chandarkanta title song is enough to prove this. Ranjith grew double of his size through his project on the wall. It (size) must have given everyone a heart attack. There were few silent members who truly believe in “Quiet excellence demonstrated”. Rangoli, Yukti, Swarnali ,Yuvraj truly form a part of this elite and not so vocal group. They gave a strong foundation to our preparation. Everyone just wanted one thing and that was to make our guest truly special and privileged.

With only few hours to go it was time to grab few hours of precious sleep…
Aloha

True spirit of Independence

We (Jyotika team) when sit and look back at our journey of one year with Goodwill reactions invoked are nothing but satiating. Achieving milestone was not the idea rather it was the journey towards that milestones that mattered. We definitely were able to leave some subtle prints on the hearts of the young and dynamic souls of Goodwill.

Glimpse of our journey of last one year…

Last year was a mix of every possible reaction humans can experience. Self reliance of these visually challenged girls was of paramount importance. Realizing this, we decided to fund the various trainings like Music, computers, handicrafts that these girls were undergoing. Every related and unrelated person made some wonderful contributions that helped us inch toward our first goal of making them self reliant. Watching them grow, learn, laugh, feel in front of our eyes was a gratifying and enthralling experience. Their appetite and passion to learn amazed each one of us.

To further take the whole Goodwill organization to the next level need for more space was felt badly. At that time we dint had that kind of money. But money is the last thing that could have come in their way. Like manna from heaven Ravi came in contact with Goodwill. He made a small documentary on the Goodwill and sent his nomination in international film festival that was going to be held in Austria. God could not possible have crashed millions of dreams that everyone had. It was the best documentary and prize money enabled us to move to our desired location.

Now we all want to celebrate. We want to celebrate the independence of these passionate and full of life souls. We want to tell them that there are people who are standing strongly behind you and they want all of you to soar high in the sky. So a three hour event has been planned on 15th August 2008 to celebrate their journey of last one year.......

Contact me on my mail id if you think you can contribute in any sense for this noble cause..
vikas.pec2002@gmail.com

Awaken

15th July 10 AM

No one woke him up. There were no alarms, no phone calls, nothing. Nothing but unwilling to sleep more could awake him. Finally this prince of Persiawas awake. "Being Laid Back" was the mantra that was followed all through the day. So no rush what so ever. Slowly but surely, after having some nice breakfast he reached office with a big radiant smile. After fetching the water bottle from the pantry shop he started to look at his “to do list” which looked like this.

Party at 6
Shopping for DoMS
Birthday XXX
Farewell
Letter of Reco.......

This so called bright software engineer had everything but software in his list. Perhaps software was not his cup of tea anymore. Scanning emails took his another 15 mins and his urge go some where, kill something keeps on growing.

11.30 Am

it was tea time now. Friends who all were close to his heart start pouring in. His GYM partner was also waiting for him in the GYM. Nothing but life teaches you the real management. With many things lined up he has to make a choice. This time he decided to go to gym as yesterday nights party was still making him feel guilty for many things, some wanted and some unwanted. Gym lasted for about an hour and company of his perfect gym partner made it a real feat. He succeeded in focusing on the gym despite some surreal distractions in some strange attire around.

1 PM

At this Universal lunch time office food was the last thing on his mind. Few quick calls and he was off some exotic place for lunch. Gyming of 1 hour was proving to be the motivation to go for some thing that can quench his gourmet inclination. A bottle of chilled beer and some nice non veg brought some smile on his face and the party went on till some pleaded that he needs to go back urgently for some crap work, at least that what he thought. Considerate and kindness were this two special traits and off they were, back to the office, his second home.

3 PM

If anyone think that now he will work he is grossly mistaken. This is a gyaan giving time. Time to meet and give gyann to all friends who none the less have some work. Everyone has problems in their lives. And don’t know y everyone wants to discuss their problem with him. At least this is what he thinks. He is with everyone like manna from heaven. Discussing and counceling and dissiminating gyaan all over.

5 PM

This time is reserved for some surreal ;)....

9 PM

Party starts and it goes on till the wee hours

And finally at 1 Am time to go to bed with millions of thoughts lingering in mind...Today he has chased thousands of dreams. Few accomplished few broken. He is happy for the ones he has accomplished and also happy for the one he hasn’t for knows that dreams are dreams. Surreal but nice they are..

Few years back he wanted to have lots of friends. Now with many people around him who love and care for him like anything he feels content. Never in his life would he have imagined that he will get so many gems in his life. They say "You reap as shall you sow".

But with this glittering life style he feels a sense a emptiness, shallowness. He has always lived with some purpose in his life and he has always strived to achieve it. But these last three months have almost passed without any purpose. He could have done a lot as a first step for the new phase in his life with knocking on the door but he was busy living in his dream world, where there was a great luxury, emotional security, love, care and everything which anyone can aspire for. But some thing was missing. Perhaps sense of purpose was missing. But they say sometimes you have to take the things as they come. You always can’t make the things to happen. You have to flow with the flow. But he has always swum against the flow. He has always tried to force the things. Now when his life is flowing smoothly he is feeling restless. He is missing that force which he has always felt swimming against the flow.

But he knew this is going to change soon. Next week he will be some where else. Away from the shell he has been provided with. Shell of utter care, love and affection. He is again dreaming, aspiring, sense of purpose is coming back.

What about the last three months?? Has he lost some precious time?? He knows that something surreal has happened in the last three months which has already changed his life forever. With this welcome thought he is feeling sleepy and finally sleep prevails.....

22th July 3.30 AM

Dynamics of life profoundly changed. Sense of purpose arrived.
His next post awaited ;)...

It finally Started

First marketing class....Perhaps my favorite subject....I always try my best to confuse myself by adding "perhaps"..Ewaz a stern looking Prof entered into the class and started off by "Dnt's" in his class, the usual one like dnt be late n ol. They came the assignment without teaching anything. But this "Guru of marketing" as ppl call him is a no nonsense Prof. We were told to go to one of the oldest retail store "Sarvayana", few world famous saree shops and few more branded outlets to observe the way they do their business and we were told to give presentation on any on the product. I was very happy for the fact that finally I got some seemingly fancy to do as otherwise I was too bored of orkuting and doing faltoo things. After our photoshot and group photo which perhaps was for the DoMS site we decided to go to TNagar to get some vital information today only. My eyes were dying to sleep but sleep is the last thing here. Walk of 1 km and then jam packed bus took us to our destination. Presence of a localite was of great help and hence without trouble we were at Sarvana store. This 7 story builing is inspiration for retails giants like Like Kishore biyani and ol. Perhaps this is the only store that is welcoming Walmart with open arms. There were few peculiar things about the store like ladies welcoming on the enterance, round billing counter, Hindi songs on few floors(rare in Chennai) , queues extending sideways n many more.

7PM

Call from a classmate informing that the interviews for the clubs start at 9 PM. We looked at each other and decided that having food should be our priority rather than this information colection spree....Rushhhhhh...Had foood..Came back at 9PM ..almost...My interview slot came out to be 12.30 PM....Now 40 mins to go..Feeling sleepy but here dey say that if u sleep for more than 5 hrs den u r missing out on something...Bull!@#!@#...

Perhaps we are stretching ourselves beyonds the limits only to reap benefits later...Convinced I am trying to focus on the job on hand.....

First three days @ DoMS..

Day 1

With millions of thoughts lingering on in my mind I entered the class, My first class of MBA. I went in with lots of perceptions about everything but within 1 hour they all were blazed. Smart bunch of colleagues, great and kind faculty and great infrastructure overturned many of my apprehensions. Day started with the address from our HoD and faculty and was followed by a confusing lecture of "thinking globally" by a made entrepreneur from the Industry who confused everyone with the clarity of his thoughts;). This was a nice part of the day. Quick lunch at Tiffany's as no1 wanted to go to mess in scorching heat. Non avaliability of cycle was hurting me the most.
At 5 PM seniors barged in, told every1 to give presentation on "How to sell DoMS"and write how we landed in DoMS till 9 PM. It seems that four hour is a good time for this. But no food, long distances made everything difficult. None the less everyone assembled and presentations started and went on till 1 AM in the night. Few good performances and few fumbles. Hunger almost killed everyone. Going to sleep was everyone's dream. But that dream could last only for 3 hrs as next day was a campus tour which started at 6 AM :).

Day 2

Waking up at 6 AM is not difficult specialy when you dnt sleep at all. Campus tour started at 6.15 Am. This serene campus already hadaken everybodies breath away. This tour only added to it. With great flora and fauna and some nice sports facility , the only reactions invoked withme was "WOW". Cricket stadium,Banks,Hospitals,Departments were all hidden behind a tick forest. This one hour walk uncovered many hidden things. At 7.30 Am the only thing I could think was to catch some sleep before I again start my day at 9.30. But I always say U dnt get what u desire. Orkut consumed my precious 1 hour. Half sleep I barely managed to enter the class at the right time discovering yet another shorcut to the department. Leture on CSR by Ex Editor of Frontline unveiled a lot of things and sensitized everyone for this noble cause. It wasd followed by a very sleepy lecture on IIT's facilities and hierarcy.This still was good time.
History repeated itself and we were again told to give presentaion on some weird topics. At the same time challange was thrown open to peoplt to get registrations for PAN IIT Meet from the Almunais who were present in the campus in big number for tomorrowa 45th convocation. Life is full of choices and priorities. I decided to go for marketing of PAN IIT and dint prepare my presenataion and it was a utter fiasco:(. But I was happy to finally end my day at 2 PM after having some enlightening discussions with super seniors who came to give us some Gyaaan.

Day 3

Some more gyaan from Almunai which was followed by a presentation on choosing carrer path by HR Head Nissan-Renault head. I was briming with questions and it came out that I am the most confused about everthing. Finaaly free for some time after 2 PM we decided to go out of the campus for the first time. ASCENDAS the most famous place in Chennai contains Chennai's only Pizza Hut , MACd and KFC. This was nice time for us. We posed in front of every eating point and had some familiar food for the first time in 3 days. KFC's chicken seemed like the most delicious food I ever had. Now I wanted a bicycle. Life was difficult without it. 3 hours of walk and search finally paid off and after lots of though and frustation we were finally coming back on cycle feeling like winning warriors on their back to home. We treated ourselves at CCD , which perhaps will be my second home, on this glorious victory.


Things have already falling at place with my new number finally working. Every seniors told us to have fun and utilize these two years to the max...

I was still confused.....Vikas in me is asking me to take the path less traveled..............