Familiarity often breeds contempt. The process of getting into a B- School begins with a test of one's aptitude and ends with an interrogation that reflects his attitude. By the time I sat for my interview with IIM Visakhapatnam, I believed I knew very well, the tricks of the trade. The interview started off on a good note. But what followed became the reason why I chose this institute.
In life, we get to choose once we are selected. We usually know why we were selected, we almost always know (but never accept) why we were rejected and sometimes we expect the unexpected. With the power of being able to choose, comes a greater responsibility of making the right choice. We sometimes choose something because we have no other choice, or, when we are spoilt for choice, we pretend to justify our choice.
My interview with IIM Visakhapatnam exposed my weaknesses. Words seemed to orphan me when I needed them the most. I forged a sheepish smile almost in self-pity. It felt like a prolonged execution. I had no hope of getting through. I did not expect the unexpected.
Expectations sometimes lead to disappointment but the unexpected leads to introspection. Perhaps, the interview reflected a strength that I am not aware of, the same way it exposed my weakness. I found an opportunity to improve. I did choose the institute but why the institute chose me has more mystic colours to it.
It is one thing to bask in reflected glory but with IIM Visakhapatnam being a relatively new B-School I believe this journey provides an opportunity of creating one’s own existence.
After completing my Engineering, I began my professional career with thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel. The company has a fascinating product – Grain Oriented Electrical Steel, and I had the privilege of first understanding the product and its manufacturing process and then working with the Sales & Marketing team and understanding the business. I thoroughly enjoyed working there and developed a strong affinity towards the metals industry which is full of challenges in the form of depleting resources, increasing awareness regrading pollution, technological upgradation and many more. Equipped with better skills and knowledge acquired during the management course at IIM Visakhapatnam, I would cherish the opportunity to work with Hindalco Industries where I believe I would be able to leverage my skills and experience alongwith my passion and interest to contribute significantly to the organisation. It is always a pleasure to work with a strong organisation with a glorious past and the courage to take on the challenging future.