An Internship With M&S In HR Profile, Converted To Final Placement With Pantaloons Fashion and Retail Ltd. For Soby, SCMS

Soby completed her BBA and had to pick a business school for her Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM). She was looking beyond just bagging a great placement, she was looking for a stimulating environment to learn from and prosper. SCMS Cochin School of Business happened.

It was after finishing the first year of PGDM with SCMS, Soby did her internship with Marks & Spencer’s HR wing and was soon clear about what she wanted next.

Soby sailed through the final placement interviews and rounds with Pantaloons Fashion and Retail Ltd. and that was not mere luck or chance. She was preparing herself towards it, every day.

SCMS was an obvious choice

“I was hearing about SCMS Cochin a lot; from friends, through the media etc. I knew it to be one of the top B-Schools in the state to do your PGDM from. Hence it was an easy decision since I always wanted to pursue it to boost my corporate goals,” she says.

According to her, it was a sound decision because the program has given her theoretical knowledge along with practical exposure that will help her excel in her career.

Stumbling steps were steadied

Soby admits that when she joined the institute she was filled with anticipation and apprehensions. But right at the onset, the B School put her through the paces and created a solid foundation for her management dreams. “It has been a wonderful learning experience with the institute and in some ways it matters to me more than the placement. The discipline made me more responsible and being a representative for different programs made me more confident,” she says enthusiastically.

“All the sessions we had to go through were constantly updated in keeping with the latest trends and practices in the industry. That’s why we were abreast with the latest at all times.”

Juniors, ahoy!

Like all management students, even Soby had aspirations to bag a good placement. As the placement season began, there was a flurry of activity. However she managed to stay calm because she has been preparing for the moment for two years. “I think what set me apart was my calm and positive attitude. I answered all the questions genuinely, maintained proper eye contact and body language and always had a smile on my face,” she says.

We asked Soby about her future role and how she plans to tackle the challenges of her professional life. She quips, “I did my internship with Marks and Spencer Reliance India Private Ltd, Gurgaon where I got good practical exposure to HR department. The role I have been offered now is of Store People Officer at Pantaloons Fashion and Retail Ltd. My main task would be execution of day-to-day HR related activities, which I feel equipped to handle.”

Soby speaks with the confidence of a seasoned professional who has come a long way. And going by that you can tell that she’ll go a lot further too.