My summer saga did not start on the 4th of April, 2015 when I landed in Kuwait, neither did it start when I appeared for Alshaya’s selection process some months back…the journey towards Alshaya started almost about the same time I took admission in IIM Lucknow, in a subtle way of course.
Life at a B-school is full of peaks and valleys. It had been all hectic, full of thorns in the form of assignments, classes, unimaginably long nights and sleepy days until one fine afternoon which gave me a justified reason for all the delayed gratification. I got to know that I had been selected to work as summer intern at one of the most sought after companies on campus or rather a bank-HSBC.
Internship in Aditya Birla Group Leadership Program is one of the most coveted internships in the campus. Selected for one of the prestigious conglomerates in the HR profile, my joys knew no bounds.
I visited McDonald’s with a pledge that I will not indulge my self with French fries. When I reached the order counter I firmly said, ‘1 Fillet-o-fish & a small Coke, please.’ She keyed in my order, looked up & with a hint of smile asked innocuously, ‘Would you like French fries to with it?’. The tempting 'offer' melted my will power & what I can only put to a moment of indiscretion said, ‘yes’. While munching on French fries I reflected on how I was made to buy what I was determined not to buy. And then I realized that it is not only McDonald, but most brands deploy various strategies to get us to either buy or consume more so that they benefit form increased sales. Here is a partial list of industries & strategies deployed by them to make us buy / consume more:
The story begins on one fine day, at 6:30 in the morning I receive a mail saying ‘You have been selected to the final round of Summer Internship selection process. Please report at 9:00 AM SHARP!’ It usually takes just 30 minutes to reach college from my place, but those who stay in Mumbai or have committed a crime of coming here during heavy rains can understand that it’s not just 30 but you should preferably avoid looking at your watch and pray to the almighty to reach there in time. My case too was not different.
I was too desperate to find my name in the list of selected candidates on the notice board. Three good companies were already done with their processes taking 16 of my friends. Twice I made up to the interview round. Somehow stumbling on the last roadblock – I didn’t know what to do. Pressure growing all around. Doubts over my own credibility and suitability haunting me every night. This placement was getting too much on my mind. That was when “Idea” changed my life.
There’s something eerily suggestive about Day Zero.
All management aspirants who want to a bag a seat at a top B School have to navigate the crucial Group Discussion and Personal Interview. These are important opportunities for candidates to make a lasting impression. Dr. Prabhat Pankaj, Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur, reveals the secrets that can help students ace the selection process. Shedding light on the importance of the GD he says, “It’s not only meant for assessing the candidate’s knowledge of current affairs, but also to measure his or her ability to respond to their teammates.”
