Professional World- the World of Entrepreneurs, Employees, Boss, Manager, Office, blah blah blah.
There's a lot qualities needed to be a part of this professional world. Some are within us & some are needed to be indulged with us.
Among that list of hundreds & thousands of qualities, we come across a word 'Professionalism'.
For some, being professional (professionalism) might mean dressing smartly at work or doing a good job.
For others, being professional means having advanced degrees or other certificates framed & hung on the office wall.
Yes, definitely.. Professionalism encompasses all these definitions, but it also covers much more.
To sum up it in short, we can say that,
Professionalism is an ART..
An art of working selflessly for your designators..
An art of extracting work from your employees..
An art of being polite..
An art of being humble..
An art of having a learning mentality..
An art of living with your ability, your skills..
An art of keeping your status, your attitude..
An art of being Money-Grubber..
It's an art of being "Professional".
Every child, being a non-professional personality, is very keen and desperate to know about this world of Professionals, & so was I.
I was the smallest in my family. I have two sisters who had already spent a couple of years in this world.
I use to fetch as much information as I can from them.
It includes the procedure to get hired, what happens there in the office, the terminologies & some about the qualities we should possess, our mindset and our attitude, etc., etc.
I stepped into the train of Graduation in the latter half of 2016.
My mind was thoroughly concentrated on the semester, because it's the grades of the semester, which the society asks you about, rather than what you actually learned, whether academic or non-academic.
In spite of the concentration towards exams, my grades were not up to my expectations.
Yes, It was 'All-Clear', but still, the hunger of my expectations is not completed yet.
So, from then I decided that I will never work for the expectations; rather I will work for the work to be done & that too in a perfect manner.
Because, expectations are a kind of mood changer.
If you get what you expected, you will feel like you are on top of the world, but if by chance you fail to stand up to that expectation, you will face a severe depression.
So, better to work with Zero Expectations.
Keeping the same thought in my mind, I entered the second semester.
With the same "No Expectation Policy" I tried my luck in dancing.
Successfully qualifying the two audition rounds, I finally got the chance to perform on stage with the senior competitors.
I didn't expect this, but it happened.
This all took place in the mid-Jan.
Then in the end of January, I was trembling with my friends in the college campus. I saw two boys and a girl with full suit ON, sitting beneath a tree at Cafeteria with a table and some chairs.
They were all black suited, so I got a little excited to know what it was exactly.
We reached there asking what it was.
Then what?
They started their recorded speech & explained me in detail about the event, that it was a National Level Technical Event organised by their college. They told me about different competitions, their entry fees & prizes.
They also told us that accommodation facilities are provided by them & food is the only thing we had to pay for, in their college canteen.
With this many facilities showering on us & the college not being far away from our city, I agreed to attend the event.
Right after that I called my childhood school bestie Utkarsh asking him about his interest in this event. He showed a green light, so did my classmate Pravin.
We three left for Shegaon early morning.
The college Bus was ready at the railway station to pick up the students coming from different colleges.
When we reach there, we were 2 hours late according to the scheduled time, but luckily like all other events in India, this too started late!
We three were deciding, which event to participate in. There were many events like C-Genius, LAN Gaming, Web Designing, Talent Hunt, Box Cricket, but my mind was stuck on Mock Placement.
I asked them how it will be.
Listening to their explanation, I was excited. I asked Utkarsh, whether he is interested or not, but he denied with a "NO" gesturing move.
"I'll try my luck in C-Genius & Talent Hunt", he said.
So then, I was ON for three events, Talent Hunt in a group with Utkarsh and C-Genius & Mock-Placement individually.
I appeared in C-Genius Test & instantly after that rushed to Talent Hunt, which was basically a Quiz Competition.
Its first round was a written test in which only one group member can solve it.
So, as expected, Utkarsh pushed me in that well.
Fortunately, we survived & survived well, we stood second topper in the list.
Then gone through the Second & Third rapid-fire rounds, but it was the finals between top four teams, which forced us to return empty handed.
Right after the Quiz, I make a hasty run to Mock Placement.
Earlier that day, I asked my Sister about the sequence of rounds in placement and some keys to clear the rounds. She explained me in a subtle manner, that placement comprises of three main rounds, namely Aptitude Test, Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI), all in same sequence.
"To excel the rounds, your attitude must be positive, your thoughts must be clear & your way of thinking must not be simpler and regular one", she said.
She added that, "In Group Discussion, you must not cut others point, but to appreciate their thinking and put forth your point of view. Don't be arrogant, aggressive and disrespectful, either in GD or in Interview.
She also told me about some common questions & how they should be answered.
Also the way to present myself in front of them.
I reached the Mock Placement room.
The first thing which shook my mind was that, it was Group Discussion round, while my Sister told me that it'll be Aptitude Test first & then GD.
Later I came to know that the sequence was intentionally inverted just for the sake of maximum rejection.
It was among the last few slots.
Without waiting for a moment I entered the Discussion Room with whosoever waiting there. Later, sitting inside I came to know that they were all 3rd year and 4th year Students.
I was little Shattered.
But then I explained myself, that it is just a matter of ₹50 (entry fees). I don't have anything to lose, but surely has an experience to gain which worth way more than that ₹50.
Then, with a positive intend I got ready to face the challenge.
The GD-Conductor there threw-in the topic of "Whether playing the National Anthem compulsory in Movie Theatres is a good move or not?"
He offers us 2 minutes to think if required, but I was so desperate to win this round that I don't even used 30 seconds of that two minute & started discussing and delivering my thoughts.
Taking a favour side, I introduced them with some facts & possibilities. All other candidates put forth their views & thoughts which again make me to talk more and more. But then, the time reaching the finish line & our all aspects of the topic being covered up, we finally put a full-stop to the Discussion.
Among the slot of eight, three candidates were selected, of which I was the part (luckily).
After crossing the first hurdle, I don't even get the chance to take a two step run for the second one.
The second hurdle was of the Aptitude Test in the neighbouring room.
As my sister explained the level of Aptitude Test was in between of JEE & GATE.
The test seems interesting to me, with all types of questions like logical, mathematical, physics & reasoning.
I utilised my time & answered as many questions as I can.
Hush..!!
Finally the first day ended successfully.
College representatives promised us to offer good quality hostel & food, but the fact was completely opposite.
They made us to sleep on a piece of cloth spread over the room floor, which was a bit uncomfortable.
Even the washrooms were not clean enough to take a bath.
We ignored all that & took a look towards the food, but when we asked the canteen contractor about food, he ignored us thoroughly saying that "I was not informed to cook food for anyone except my daily mess tiffins."
We met the Kabaddi team of our college during the talk with Canteen Contractor. They were also angry & frustrated towards the management of the college.
Fortunately, we were little familiar with that city & know a bit about outside accommodation options, but what about the students who came all the way from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik & Aurangabad.
They too had to face the same consequences of poor management.
After a brief talk, we all decided to knock the doors of the Lord Gajanan Maharaj Temple.
Gajanan Maharaj Temple is a sacred place there & people visit there from different cities, have food & can sleep as well.
The afternoon 'Mahaprasad' is for free, but had to pay a little cost of ₹35 for dinner.
After that, we borrowed mattress & cushion from there for ₹5 each.
The Kabaddi Team had their finals next day & I too had my Finals i.e. the 3rd round of Personal Interview which was scheduled after the result of Aptitude Test.
We enjoyed there at the temple creating a chaos situation for others & slept silently when scolded.
Next Morning, a new day with new challenges.. But our mind was fresh & ready to face those challenges.
The first challenge was of charging mobiles. After a sturdy hustle for charging, we got ready & ate the Shegaon famous Kachori in breakfast, twice.
Taking the worship of God, we visited the college. Uptill then I was so excited to see the result, that without waiting for a minute, I make a quick run towards the Notice Board.
Being a First Year Student, I was so relieved & satisfied to see my name in 3rd position in that list.
Then at 11 in the morning, I was called for the Interview. I was preparing myself mentally for the challenge.
With my not-so-formal dress ON & the not-so-professional resume in my hand, I entered the waiting hall.
Two senior faculty members of T&P Department were ready in their respective cabin to peel-off our skull to see what's there in our mind.
I got two of my senior competitors sitting beside me, waiting for their turn. One of them was a guy from PCCOE College, Pune & the other one was a girl named Raksha of the host college itself.
We three had a brief chat, which turned into a good friendship, which is alive till date, especially with Raksha.
Not only students, but the Teachers there were frank enough to discuss our problem with. Our formal chat was going on & a guy with black shirt & the red tie ON entered the room.
The guy from PCCOE told me that the boy was from Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pune & he knew him very well as they were classmates in junior college. He also added that, "He never loses any competition related to communication skills. He is the best speaker the college ever had."
Prior to that, I was tensed because of my informal attire, but was then relieved by Raksha, as she was also not in a formal dress. But listening to the PCCOE's guy, my level of nervousness doubles.
But then I make myself to remember about the "No Expectation Policy" & entered the cabin.
So, here the encounter begins, I greet the interviewer & was asked to sit on chair.
He threw-in some short technical questions, then turned towards my GD topic & wanted me to re-elaborate my opinion on the same topic.
He was shocked by hearing the fact that I was from the First Year.
By the end of the interview he said that, "Whether you'll be winning or losing, I can't tell you, but after competing with your seniors and after successfully cracking GD & Apti, you are sitting here in front of me is indeed a great achievement for you. Good Luck for your future."
I was so happy to hear that words. Even the teachers standing outside appreciated my efforts.
Then after that was the time for the final match of Kabaddi between our college & the host college.
We were pretty sure to win & were ready for a maffick, but unfortunately the day was not ours.
Our college lost the match & stood Second.
Despite of the defeat, we enjoyed the DJ songs there, might be more than their college students.
The Felicitation Program was scheduled in the evening. We waited.
Then it starts..Still a little late.
The dignitaries were being greeted & then Prize Distribution begins.
After 5-6 announcements she said,
“Now the result of the most awaited competition 'The Mock Placement'. It is big because it has the most number of participants in whole events i.e. 230+
The Runner-up of the competition is Pratik Kale from SIPNA COET, Amravati."
I was so overwhelmed to hear these words.
She added that, "The most interesting fact about this boy is that he is from first year."
Listening to this, all students there started clapping & all dignitaries and Chief Guest stood up & congratulates me.
After collecting the trophy, certificate & a cheque of mine & also of the Kabaddi Team, we make a quick run to the Railway Station.
That was the first time ever in my life that I travelled without a ticket.
When I returned home & informed my parents about the competition & my win, they were actually happy for me.. I felt like my efforts paid off.
Then my Dad asked "Who is the winner?"
I told him about that boy from Sinhgad, his achievements & his skills.
After listening to this, his happiness was doubled thinking that I compete with this much experienced boys.
And believe me, I can literally feel their happiness & promised him to get more trophies like this.
Thanks to MGI's IGNITE 2K17 for such a great experience.
