What do most business school students aim for at the end of their summer internships? A PPO! For the lucky few who manage to bag one, it is nothing short of a dream come true. What do these students have that separates them from the crowd? What is it that companies see in these students that gives them the confidence to offer them a job even before their course ends? We spoke to two such students of FORE School of Management who got a Pre-Placement Offer at the end of their internships. Nazuk Agarwal bagged a PPO with the leading consultancy, Deloitte, while Pragya Bhandari received a PPO from Nestlé - the world's largest Consumer Goods company.
Being placed in leading companies is one thing, but what does it take to get a PPO from such giants? Nazuk and Pragya spoke to team InsideIIM, giving us a glimpse into their summer internship. How did they prepare for the placement process? What was it that helped them bag the placement? What tools did they use to tackle their internship? Find out in the article below.
Below are snippets from the interview:
(Questions put forward to Nazuk Agarwal, Deloitte PPO Holder)
What was your interview process at Deloitte like? How did FORE School of Management prepare you for the same?
The hiring process started with a case-based discussion wherein we were given a real-time scenario of a client-facing hurdle. We were asked to brainstorm about various approaches to the solution and then put our best foot forward. It was a very business-oriented case that covered all the important aspects of decision making in an organization. Having completed the case discussion round, there was a personal interview round which revolved around my resume and why I wanted to work with Deloitte.
The rigorous curriculum at FORE prepared me well for the corporate world. Amidst all the activities happening at the campus round-the-clock, prepping up for summer internship tops the list of priorities. Numerous case study discussions and events on campus will always keep you on your toes and allow you to think on your feet which, I believe, helped me a lot during the process.
Tell us why you targeted Deloitte to be your dream company to work with? What are some of the key factors that impressed you?
One’s summer internship experience can be tremendously valuable, providing them the opportunity to build skills for the resume and meet people who are working in the preferred industry. Personally, being a fresher, I was really looking forward to this experience as it was going to be my first peek into the real corporate world. So, I wanted to make sure I leave no stone unturned in securing an internship that made a difference in my life. This is one of the many reasons why Deloitte was my dream company to work with. Deloitte puts great emphasis on the growth and development of its interns and provides a supportive work culture. This impressed me the most. The organization allows you an opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues and smoothens the transition from a student to a professional.
The summer internship program is a gateway to companies you desire. What was your experience of the summer internship with Deloitte?
Deloitte gives a lot of importance to their Summer Internship Programme and ensures that all interns get ample opportunities to grow and become the best version of themselves. From covering the basics of Microsoft Office to working with various advanced tools, from meeting highly experienced professionals to interacting with clients, from working as a team to partying as a team, Deloitte takes care of it all. This made this internship experience complete and memorable for me.
What was your project about and how did your first year at FORE School of Management prepare you for the challenge?
My project was about change management in an organization that had recently acquired another firm. Deloitte was helping the parent organization in navigating through this change smoothly and with ease. Hence, it covered various aspects like Stakeholder Management, Employee Relations, Customer Service, etc. all of which were covered in my curriculum at FORE. Hence, Deloitte allowed me an opportunity to put my theoretical knowledge to use and further learn new things with practical experience.
A fast-paced consulting journey accompanies you once you step into Deloitte. What were some of the major factors that challenged you during your project?
Some of the major challenges that I faced during my project was managing my time well between the project and the other engagements that I was a part of. Also, since it was an overseas client, we were connected to the onshore team and it became difficult to coordinate with them at times due to the time constraints. Having said that, all the practitioners at Deloitte have always been supportive and helpful which made me overcome these challenges easily.
What was the reason behind you shifting from the engineering stream to the management stream for pursuing your post-graduation?
During my second year of graduation, I realized that I could not see myself working in the technical field a few years down the line. This made me sure of the fact that I needed to change my stream after graduation. Owing to my goals and aspirations, I always had an inclination towards pursuing MBA and so I decided to give that a shot and gladly, it worked out well for me.
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(Questions put forward to Pragya Bhandari, Nestlé PPO holder)
What was your process of getting into Nestlé and how did FORE School of Management prepare you for the same?
I was enrolled in Nestlé’s Sales internship program which was offered at our campus. The process involved a group discussion and 2 interviews with the Sales Development Head and Branch HR. We, at FORE School of Management, New Delhi are a product of great mentoring and regular assessment by some amazing professors through assignments, class presentations and exams. This college taught me the value of networking and respecting others, by providing me with the facilities, committees and seniors who could guide us in the right direction.
Post my internship period with the company, I was offered a PPI and after a rigorous interview process it got converted into a PPO.
Tell us why you targeted Nestlé to be your dream company to work with? What are some of the key factors that impressed you?
Nestlé is my dream company because it is a brand that I knew even before I could understand the concept of brands. This company provides some of the best quality products in its respective categories, something that I am proud to be associated with.
The summer internship program is a gateway to companies you desire. What was your experience of the summer internship with Nestlé?
I was a fresher with no corporate experience when I joined Nestlé for the summer internship program. In the summer program gave me a taste of how the corporate world functions. My experience in Nestlé was great because of the guidance and mentorship that I received during my internship.
How are you taking help from FORE School of Management’s ecosystem now, as you are preparing to enter your job in a few months?
A b-school teaches you to manage multifarious situations with peace and sanity and that has been my biggest learning from FORE so far. I am trying to get as many new experiences as I can before stepping into the corporate world. But most of all, I am making sure that I make numerous memories and enjoy my college time while it lasts.
What was your project about and how did your first year at FORE School of Management prepare you for the challenge?
My project was in the Chilled Dairy section of Nestlé India North Branch. I was given a target of increasing the numeric reach of this segment and thereby help in business growth. Being a part of committees in the first year of my college, target achievement and hard work was something that came to me naturally and did not surprise me.
How is FORE School of Management professional pursuing a PGDM program different from others that gives him/her a distinct advantage during a summer internship?
As a FOREian, we know that we have to take advantage of every opportunity that we get. Thanks to the tight-knit network of FORE School of Management, I was able to consult with my senior who have already worked as an intern at Nestlé, this was the best advantage that I got.
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