My Journey: A Year of Growth

One year ago, I faced a common dilemma: studies or a job? I decided to prioritize gaining professional experience first, with the plan to pursue further studies later. With two prior internships under my belt, I began my job hunt.

My first post-graduation opportunity was an unpaid internship at Haldiram's International Pvt Ltd. I committed to it for three months, and it proved to be an incredibly valuable experience. Following that, I secured a paid internship through LinkedIn, which lasted about 1.5 months before health issues led me to leave.

Next, thanks to my mentor's help, I landed a job at a startup. This was a challenging period; the fast-paced, unfamiliar environment made it difficult for me to learn quickly. Despite my hard work, I was terminated, with a fire accident at the office being a contributing factor. This setback hit me hard.

Undeterred, I resumed my job search. I sent hundreds of messages on LinkedIn and attended dozens of interviews over the past year. Finally, my perseverance paid off, and I secured a position at a great company.

This past year has been a period of immense learning. Here are some key takeaways:

• Networking is crucial: I significantly increased my activity on LinkedIn, connecting with many professionals to expand my network. I also learned the importance of building connections outside of LinkedIn.

• Don't hesitate to ask questions: While I was proactive in asking questions during my internships, I realize now that I didn't do so enough at my previous company, which likely hindered my learning.

• Seek help when needed: I actively asks help from others for resume building and job leads. If a person responded to my inquiries but didn't have vacancies, I'd always follow up by asking what skills were needed for their positions and what interview questions they typically asked.

• Mastering written communication: I utilized various online resources and email examples to significantly improve my email writing skills.

• Showcase your abilities: I consistently used LinkedIn to highlight my skills and accomplishments. Posting about my experiences and insights allowed professionals to see my activity, which even led to job offers.

• Continuous Improvement is Key: Always strive to enhance your skills and knowledge

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to my family. Their unwavering support during my job hunt was incredible. Whenever I had an interview, they'd wake up in the middle of the night; my mother would cook for my father and me, ensuring we were ready. I don't see these moments as struggles, but rather as integral parts of life's journey. Viewing them as struggles would imply a lack of interest or force, which was never the case.

A huge thank you also goes to my mentors, Narayan and Priya mam, for guiding me throughout this entire process. There were times I felt discouraged, especially after completing three-month internships and questioning how much I could truly learn in such a short period. This feeling of only partially grasping things often created a sense of fear. It was during these moments that my two mentors provided immense support and encouragement.

I am eternally grateful to Swadha Foundation. Without their invaluable assistance, I simply wouldn't be where I am today. Words cannot express the profound impact and numerous opportunities the foundation has given me.

My sincere thanks to Lokeshwaran sir, who believed in my skills and abilities. With just one message, he changed the course of my journey, referring me to a truly supportive and great company.

Finally, I remain enthusiastically committed to my learning journey.

Happy learning! 😃