Mystory@Disha Malhotra: How my college education impacted my career

I have been given this extraordinary opportunity of sharing the bunjee ride that got me insane and shaped me into what I am today. It all started with a dream; a dream to touch the sky, a dream to hug the world.

On a Sunday morning, while flipping through the channels I started watching a movie by Madhur Bhandarkar titled “Corporate” starring the famous actress Bipasha Basu. It was crazy to see how people enjoy the status and fame in the corporate world and since then my dreams started to take a beautiful shape. I was an above average student and always wanted to do something that will fetch me fame and money along with a respectable position, therefore, what could have been a better choice than becoming a Lawyer.

How I selected my stream after Class X

Frankly, it wasn’t that difficult. Being sure of what to do and what not plus with very minimal opportunities in school I chose Commerce with Mathematics because I knew I was definitely not made for Science. I feel Science makes you go crazy and less social (which I am definitely not). Choosing Mathematics

can be quite a horrendous thing if you are not good with numbers. Eventually, I developed a rivalry with Mathematics. I worked like the farmer works on his fields to harvest the crops and scored a decent 62 in Mathematics becoming sure that I am definitely not the chosen one. With a decent aggregate of 88% (since my score in all other subjects was 90 and above) I cleared my 12th boards.

How I cracked college admission?

Restricting yourself to one course can be too risky unless you are ready to work your ass off to get through. During my XII board I hadfilled in every possible form for BA LLB and made up my mind to work as a legal advisor in some MNC. There is cut-throat competition that makes you a dope head and then you feel disheartened. Most of all, what is required is determination and motivation that shields you in every possible phase. I started taking coaching from Singh Study Circle, Rajouri Garden and they prepare you well before the exams because of which I cleared all my entrance exams and chose Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, GGSIPU for my 5-year BA LLB(H).

Did I choose the right career?

A girl often faces a lot of societal pressure when she chooses a distinctive course and labelled ‘rebellious’. Trust me it is only how
your parents take it. Therefore, encouragement by parents is the only source of support at that tender age. The journey of becoming a lawyer was full of lows and highs, happiness and sadness and winning and losing. Internships are a necessity for attaining good exposure before entering into the real world. Withcontinuous efforts and endless internships at various courts and firms, I grabbed my degree in 2015. I attained my LLM degree in 2016 from Amity University, Noida and started searching for jobs.

Learnings from internships and job hunting

Grabbing a job is as difficult as climbing Mt Everest (not really!). Not all institutes have campus recruitment; therefore, building up your nexus is the key source of grabbing a good job. Keep your eyes wide and ears wider. Whenever you receive a good opportunity – grab it.I went for my first interview with Fidelity Investments and got selected struggling with 17 other candidates for the position and joined as
soon as I completed my LLM. Not everyone is so lucky and blessed. I left my osition as an associate after working for six months and grabbed another opportunity at a Law firm.

Currently, I am working as a patent and trademarks attorney. Phewww! Quite a roller coaster ride! Still there is no limit to learning new
things and exploring more in this world. We may sometimes become shattered in this rat race or may sometimes question our capabilities and doubt our abilities but every human is blessed in his own way. Talent is something one has to recognise and when talent is coupled with your dreams then there is no looking back. Keep upgrading your goals and tighten your grip on the check list of life because there is nothing one cannot conquer.

About the Author:

Disha Malhotra has done 5-year BA LLB (H)LLB from Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, GGSIPU. She attained an LLM degree in 2016 from Amity University, Noida. Currently, she is working as a patent and trademarks attorney.

Mystory is a new Shiksha initiative to provide students a unique platform to share their experiences right from college admission to career selection. Here’s your chance to get published on India’s leading education portal. We’ll be happy to publish your story.   Write in to us at: mystory@shiksha.com