Student Leader Interview- Apoorva Goel from NMIMS, Indore

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1. Tell us more about your role and responsibilities at your college.

 ‘Placement Committee’ has always been an integral part of any B-School and we all aspire to be a part of it. I was lucky to be a part of the Junior Placement Committee during my first year of PGDM. Post observing the zeal and enthusiasm of the senior members I was motivated to work as much as I could and beyond. This helped me achieve the position of President of the Placement Committee in my second year. The role of a placement team member is very crucial; it just does not mean getting the companies to the campus. It begins by setting up the base, preparing CV, organizing numerous mock GD-PI sessions along with Aptitude tests. 

The struggle does not end here, it involves inviting guests and faculties to deliver various lessons and training, organizing conclaves and managing the social media platforms such as LinkedIn. I am sure I might be missing out on a lot of things that are essential but run as support activities for the main ones. As a placement member, it is very necessary to regularly maintain good and long term relations with the Corporate and also maintain and update the database regularly. Being the president, I could not let go the minutest of detail which could be important for the placement of my colleagues. There are no specified working hours, I would take out five minutes from my breaks and would either search for a job opening or contact any organization for any job opening.

2. How did you rise up to your position and how can a student aspiring the same, approach it?

As it is said, ‘You reap what you sow’, all the hard work put in by me as a junior placement team member helped me reach out to this position. Not to boast but I was always working for the team whether during my holidays or when I was at various places for my Summer Internship. The position has always motivated me to work harder as I felt proud to get an opportunity to work for my colleagues. Be it 11 at night, I along with my team was always on toes to find and do the best. 

One should not shy away from taking responsibilities instead take it as an opportunity to shine. Anyone aspiring the same should just go ahead with it as I believe you will transform yourself for the good. Any aspirant needs to have will power to do whatever comes their way, should be extremely spontaneous in their actions and the rigor will drive the rest.

3. What have been some of your biggest challenges and learning from what you do?

 All the tasks are loaded with challenges. My role was full of it. The biggest would be peer pressure, I generally do not speak about it indeed it was there. I felt myself responsible for the good of my colleagues. Another challenge was managing the academics and personal development with my work as there were times when I would have to miss my classes, or work just a day prior to my exam.

I try to focus on finding the solution rather than cribbing about the problem. The best learning that I received from the faculty I worked is that we cannot keep everyone happy at the same time and to do what was in favor of all. This role completely transformed me as a person and also as a management student. It taught me being punctual, maintaining relationships, records, databases and the most important being calm and patient.

 4. What did you do in your current role that makes you feel really proud of yourself?

 I am proud of myself that I was able to carry out the entire assigned duties well and I feel all the learning will help me throughout my professional life. I also take pride in helping my colleagues take their first step towards achieving their goals. I can proudly say that I organized various events that built in the sense of healthy competition among students and could help them in future.

 5. What is your message to encourage students to do internships and attend conferences?

 I would encourage every student to undergo as many internships they can in their desired fields as that will help you gain practical knowledge and also enhance your various skills. Every job teaches us something new and internships provide the best learning. Conferences are the places where the top leaders share their experiences, thus the best place to learn from their mistakes and how they have become so successful. Conferences also keep us updated on the current industry trend, thus attending it will help you gain lots of general awareness.