2020 has been a tough year, but it has once again proven to us the true extent of human adaptability. Despite the world having to isolate themselves, work has continued to happen. While many companies this year decided to cancel or defer internships promised to students, many others made good of their promise. Mahindra recognized the importance of internships for MBA students, and therefore quickly adapted their set processes to accommodate their interns, albeit virtually. Since most interns had already received their projects before the lockdown was imposed, these projects had to be modified based on limitations arising from a work-from-home setup.In today's article, we spoke to Anshuman Mishra, an HR intern who worked in the Auto & Farm Sector at Mahindra who opened up about his internship experience and being part of Mahindra’s GMC program. Read the full interview below!
Hi Anshuman, could you tell us a little about yourself?
Hey guys, I’m Anshuman Mishra. I am an engineer turned civil services aspirant turned HR in the making. Before joining XLRI I worked for 3 years in a PSU engaged in coal mining, which I had joined after graduating from NIT Rourkela. I am an avid reader, debater, and a movie buff who has recently developed an interest in Formula 1 and European club football.
Tell us about your experience during the Mahindra GMC Internship recruitment process. What was that one question during your interview that you think helped you bag your internship?
In B-schools, summer placements are like a festival. It has every element of a drama, from the anxious wait to find your name on the coveted shortlists, small naps in between interview calls, disappointment and numbness in rejections, and finally, the joy and relief of getting placed.Luckily for me, GMC was my preferred choice as well as the first shortlist. Before the CV shortlisting one has to go through a behavioral questions-based application form and psychometric tests. On the day of placement, one has to go through Chairman’s GD and finally personal interviews. For me, the Chairman’s GD was the most exciting part as that was something completely new. That is where, probably, I made my mark on the recruiters, in a discussion about euthanasia in India, as immediately after that, I was one of the few called for an interview.The questions spanned a breadth of topics, starting from my days as a civil service aspirant to my understanding of the auto sector. But I guess it was my answers on the labor laws that helped me bag the internship.
Tell us about the moment when you found out that your internship will be completely virtual. What was your immediate reaction? How did you prepare yourself for this unusual setting?
I was at home when the national lockdown had been imposed. Reaching Mumbai then seemed very difficult. LinkedIn was abuzz with posts of how some companies were pushing the joining dates or canceling the internships altogether. The good thing for us was that the GMC Team regularly updated us about each development. Initially, I hoped that the internship would start virtually, and we would be called to our locations as soon as the situation improved. But when the pandemic spread further it was decided that it would be completely virtual.On getting this news, I was dismayed. Not only do I live in a town with a very patchy internet, but two days into the lockdown my laptop broke down. Essentially, I was entering a virtual internship with unreliable connectivity, no laptop, and with the nearest service center closed shut because of the lockdown. My mentor and buddy were very helpful, regularly coordinating my daily tasks and helping me meet deadlines despite my virtual shortcomings. I believe their continuous support really helped me sail through the internship.For the internet, I managed phone connections with different network providers, so that I could have a backup, as well as a backup for the backup. For the laptop, I only had to find a person with a laptop and the willingness to lend it to me for two months. Finding the person was difficult as not many people in my hometown have laptops. The few who do need them for their own work. However, I did manage to convince someone, and after that, my work resumed, and I picked up my pace.
Tell us about your virtual internship experience. What were some of the challenges you faced? How did your project guide & team help you overcome these challenges?
It was an amazing experience. The internship began with the onboarding process. The GMC Team gave us an idea about how the whole two months would pan out. My HR put me in touch with my buddy and guide, and then slowly the journey began.Being a virtual one there were bound to be many challenges, but primarily I faced two. I had managed to get a laptop, but it was very old. So, I could not share my screen or give a presentation on that. The second was the complexity of the project itself. The project required a strong understanding of the business, which I lacked. Regarding both the issues I received immense help from my guide, buddy and everyone on the team. I would send the slides or the excel sheets to the team and then they would share it and change the slides as per my explanation. They would go out of the way to help me out.The same was the case with the required business understandings. They arranged for meetings and calls with various business leaders and managers, shared documents, and arranged sessions so that I could understand things clearly. On top of all this, they were always available to clear my doubts and queries.
Were there any initiatives to help enhance your internship experience and learning?
Yes, there were many, but two in particular which I liked the most. The GMC Team arranged for many interactive sessions with senior business leaders where you could ask whatever you wanted to know about the diverse businesses. The other was the ‘leadership connect’ initiative where we were mapped to a senior leader to have one to one conversation. I feel I benefited greatly from these, particularly in my understanding of how a career in HR looks like, including the career prospects I could expect to come my way.
What was your project about how you managed to complete it successfully?
My project revolved around identifying critical roles. The idea behind it is a fairly recent concept and not many companies have been able to execute it successfully. Mahindra, in fact, is the first OEM in the auto sector to attempt this. I managed to complete it successfully because of two things, the team effort, and the clarity of purpose. From the very beginning, my guide made it clear that the output has to be simple and versatile. This was the reason we knew what was not to be done, and we rejected many ideas which were complicated. Next was the team effort and guidance I received at every turn. Without these, I don’t think the project could have been completed.
Tell us a little about your evaluation process. What do you think helped you get that coveted PPO?
Evaluation in GMC is a two-step process. The first round is a sector level elimination round where I was evaluated by the CHRO of AFS (Auto & Farm Sector). This round was completely focused on my project. It is sort of D Day where you get 20 minutes to present your entire work of two months, followed by 10 mins of Q&A. I wouldn’t say it was grilling, but the questions were bound to be sharp, and the answers were expected to be crisp and precise.The next round is the group level assessment where the panel comprises senior leaders of the Mahindra Group. This round is where the focus is on the intern as a person. You get around 5 mins to present the brand called you, followed by an interaction.A PPO is the outcome of multiple variables, some of which are in your hand while some are not. I was lucky to get a project that was both exciting and challenging. Mahindra is the first Auto OEM that is attempting this project, so there were no examples to look up to; the team at Mahindra was aware of the difficulty of my project. Moreover, my guide, buddy, and the rest of the team were extremely helpful, putting in the time and effort needed to help me solve my doubts and improve my output.As a result, I could give a coherent shape to a very hazy and complex concept, which I guess helped me with the PPO, but then you never know.
What was the biggest learning from your Mahindra GMC Summer Internship?
My biggest learning was on the importance of presentation. I firmly believe that the quality of the content is everything. Working in a virtual environment made me realize how important the presentation is. Nothing kills a good idea swifter than bad communication. The goal should be to find the right balance.
Which is the most memorable moment/experience of your internship journey?
The most memorable moment, I would say, was when I made a presentation for the HR Head of the Auto Division. Though then, the slides were a work in progress, he liked the content so much that he asked everyone in the meeting to switch on the cameras and give me a round of applause. That was amazing.
With a PPO in hand, how are you approaching your second year at B-school?
Just because a PPO has been offered academics don’t start taking care of themselves. I still put in the same amount of effort into acads as I used to in my first year. At the same time, I am also clearing up the stock of the movies, which have been languishing in the downloads folder, unseen, and the unread books which have piled up.
Is there any advice you would like to give to your juniors, who want to intern in a top company like Mahindra?
What held true for me may not hold true for others. I can only suggest they keep true to themselves as much as possible. Focus on your strengths. In b schools, many are driven by this mad rush for CV points, committee selections, how not getting a consulting shortlist, or not getting placed on day zero is the end of the world. Don’t fall for those “gyan sessions”. Participate in things that you are genuinely interested in. Recruiters are smart enough to separate the wheat from the chaff. In the end, as we say in XL, ‘light lo!’.
About Mahindra GMC:
The Group Management Cadre (GMC) program recruits highly talented MBA graduates, empowering them to jumpstart their careers in key positions at Mahindra. Mahindra hires from the best b schools, and currently has over 150+ GMCs within the Group. The GMC is a fast-paced, challenging program that grooms high potential managers for leadership positions over a 10 to 15 years’ time horizon.