Anamika Anand from IIM Shillong is one of India's Most Promising Incoming MBA Students 2021!
About Anamika Anand: "My name is Anamika Anand and I have graduated from the University of Calcutta, with specialization in Electronics and Communication. I have prior work experience of 2 years with Tata Consultancy Services where I worked in application operations and as a change coordinator. I have worked on monitoring, automation and change management. My hobbies include hiking, trekking and reading non-fiction books."
The following is Anamika Anand's set of responses to a questionnaire floated amongst incoming MBA graduates to determine the top-50 Most Promising Incoming MBA students of 2021. Amongst the massive number of entries and responses being evaluated, Anamika's story and profile stood out. Here's her story in her words.
Tell us about a time when you messed up, and what you learnt from the experience?
While working for the Applications Operations role at TCS, I was on the call with various teammates and clients and I was performing a deployment. While deploying the application I made a mistake and messed up the sequence of the steps to the performed. I panicked and my mind went blank because there were over 25 people waiting in the call for me to complete the steps. To handle the situation, I took 5 deep breaths and started looking for the mistake with a cool mind and not over worrying, then I called a teammate to help me with the process, and eventually got things right. In that call, I understood the value of calming the mind and looking into the situation and asking for help whenever required. A simple solution I learned that day, which I could not come up with earlier whenever faced with a crisis situation.
Tell us something about yourself that others may be surprised to know about you.
I am always found reading even when I find a short break, I head to the library and grab a non-fiction or any magazine or newspaper. I feel that if I am not reading or learning something new each day then I will be stagnating in life. My love of learning extends to learning new languages especially European languages like French, Swedish, German.
What have been your two biggest successes in life? What did you learn from them?
I implemented various automation scripts to reduce manual efforts in Application Operations using Windows PowerShell and Linux Shell Scripting. I had seen or written any scripts before in my life. But I volunteered and took up the task, learned it during the weekends and after office hours and was finally able to automate them.Another major success in my life would be at the time when I volunteered full time with the World Wide Fund (WWF) and Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, for 8 weeks in people and protected areas program with an aim to demonstrate how technological innovation can help in conserving the resources of the Protected Areas as well as support sustainable livelihood of local communities living around them. Every day was a challenge there and left me exhausted at the end of the day. But I kept on going with a feeling that this work will help the marginalized communities, and at the end of 8 weeks I collected the data of all 200 homes of 5 villages living around Bhimbhandh Wildlife Sanctuary, Bihar.
Professionally, what is your ideal image of yourself five years from now? Where do you see yourself?
I wish to pursue my work in general management and solve the problems faced and develop innovative solutions.
What is the one skill or characteristic you possess that you are most proud of, and why?
I have an explorer mindset. I always try to look for new things to work on and learn. I am always trying to look for solutions with a new perspective.
In your opinion, what skills or qualities does a successful manager possess?
Problem Solving SkillsConflict management skillsAbility to handle pressure wellLook for innovative and sustainable solutions to the issues faced.
Tell us about an ethical dilemma that you may have faced, and how you resolved it.
I was appearing for a coding exam and I was not accepted with coding at that time. So, I had an easy option to cheat and copy the codes of my friend and pass the exam. This thought was quite enticing but somehow, I felt that it would not be the right way to take it. So, I choose not to copy it from friends and eventually I couldnt pass the exam. I learned coding for 2 full weeks and then reappeared for the exam and passed it without using any unfair means.
If you were the CEO of any company of your choosing, which company would you choose and what would your first action be as CEO?
I would choose to be the CEO of Scholastic. And My first step as a CEO would be to make strategies with the marketing team to expand the business and make it more reachable.
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For the Class Of 2022, we are back with the 8th season of InsideIIM's Best 50 - India's Most Employable MBA Graduates - Class Of 2022! If you're graduating from a B-School in 2022, you're eligible to take part in this competition! Grab the chance to bring out your best side and impress your recruiters and peers. Take the opportunity to show the world why you are special, on your own terms.
If you're using a web browser (Mozilla or Google Chrome), then you can take part through this link. Otherwise, please download the Kampus App (Android | iOS), and head over to Competitions.