Student Leader Interview - Ravindu Udayanga, University of Peradeniya



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

Well, I am the Local Committee Vice President (LCVP) of Marketing of AIESEC in Kandy which is based on University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. I'm in charge of the brand and digital marketing of the entity. I'm currently a mechanical engineer third year undergraduate of faculty of engineering  So in my academic background I am quite normal as it gets but when it comes in managing a team with another LCVP to be responsible to all marketing related stuff and business to business marketing and public relations. 

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

I had no marketing experience prior to joining the organisation. I got the interest and learned from my Team Leaders and managers and my predecessor about the role . I was more comfortable in my university to follow my course and be in the organization. I was no one when I joined it, this gave me purpose and a place that I felt I belong here.

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

Some time comes when you get saturated by both your academics and extra curricular activities. The thing I learnt was that I was never alone because everyone goes through this. I just kept going and going until my goal was achieved. Also when you have friends that have your back you all can move forward together. 

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

I'm proud of the way that now my team members look up to me and learn and grow. That is more satisfying than the feeling that you feel that you have grown. 

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

Anyone can say anything to make you do a good thing. Like, I will say this as a marketing person . So, if you want to attract people to engage with you other than saying a million things you just can show them a story by sharing an experience. You can see flyers or videos or listen to talks but when you go and experience something yourself like a conference or an internship  you get the real experience and the thing you wanted to gain and encourage another person to come . 


Interviewed by - Aman Gupta