Mystory@A Sai Sharath Reddy: How I chose my course and college

My course of study in school was Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. It was not out of any particular interest towards these subjects, but mostly because I was not attracted to Biological Sciences and Mathematics seemed easy, something that I could carry off without much effort. After choosing these subjects in my 11 and 12th, it was quite obvious that I had to do engineering. I chose Electronics and Communication Engineering (CSE), because I wanted to learn and know the science behind the most happening micro devices which connect the world together! I have to say, I learnt good stuff and was astonished by the technology that’s embedded into a small device that can just connect you to everyone and everything across the world. I liked the subject and my hunger to know things is taken care of! But I was not really so passionate to continue my further studies in electronics and to build something on my own.

I realised my strength in managing and organising, may it be people or events when I have volunteered for the innumerable events that happened in my college during my bachelors. I realised I was good at it, enjoyed doing it and so I wanted to be a professional in it. I always had a feeling that if you enjoy doing something, it doesn’t feel hard, but feels challenging. So then came my decision to pursue Masters’ in business administration. Everything follows, once you decide! I gave MAT and found that IPE is the top college for MBA. Shiksha.com is the platform that helped me choose the best for my career and personality. I got an opportunity to talk to current students and alumni of IPE and that made it easier to know the course and college in and out! I applied to IPE and got an admission into the course.

How I cracked college admission

Getting admission into IPE for this course was more a result of the fact that I wanted to be in Hyderabad and pursue Masters’ in business management or administration. I took classes for CAT, the national level examination for getting admission into top level MBA colleges and institutions. I gave CAT and I also gave MAT. I applied with my MAT score, got an interview call from IPE, Hyderabad in the month of April and was given admission.

I applied to five more institutions along with IPE and got called for the interviews everywhere. I gave interviews at the other institutions too, but I made up my mind to join IPE because it stands top among all of them and I got an insight of what life’s going to be in IPE when compared to other institutions from the interview.

I took coaching for the entrance which helped me clear MAT, but I was on my own for my interviews. There was a clear difference in the way I got interviewed for IPE. It was not about your achievements or profile. It was more about the potential in the candidate and ability to bring it out. It was a teaser for the rest of the two years of the life that was about to begin at IPE.

What I gained from my college experience

Most of my time in college goes in classes and after-class assignments. But we do make time for sports, gym and of course hang out with friends in the beautiful campus. Our campus is a pleasant get away from the chaotic city environment, close to nature, beautiful in itself and at the same time we get all that’s usually needed. I attend almost all the classes, and try to participate more in the class too. It’s mostly about learning various techniques which intrigues us to do better than the already existing ones. The classes are more interactive and there’s more scope for action. It’s not just transfer of knowledge, but application of transferred knowledge and innovative thinking to make things better. There are team presentations, and individual presentations which put us in different roles each time and gives us an immense opportunity to unveil the hidden potential in us, say to be a leader or to be a part of the team with different people and organising everything together, in spite of tremendous differences amongst individuals. I’m a part of all the extra-curricular activities that happen in the college. We have sports and drama. We recently won a match in the college and I was given the outstanding performer title. I’m part of many other teams. We are competitive, so competitions happen round the year on various occasions and there we go again, participating, organising, volunteering and winning!

If given a chance, I would most probably have plans to visit and interact with entrepreneurs across the country. I would also prefer role-plays as manager, employee or entrepreneur in real time in real industries just to get a flavour of the future. We do get many guests to share their experiences, the market strategies and performance expectations from the society and industry. We interact, speak, open up and try to find all the possible dimensions in which growth is expected.

College experience doesn’t change you as a person, but gives you a different perspective to everything. You are not changed, but you can feel the change in you and that is because college has helped you realise, what you are capable of and what can you be capable of. You become what you want to, when you understand what you are and realise all your potential within.

It is indeed a great experience at IPE so far and I’m looking forward to much more wonderful experiences by the end of my course. It’s been a complete makeover from what I was in my bachelors and that made me realise, it’s more important to be able to manage things and people. It has given me a bigger platform and I’m just performing! I get to learn new things, to meet new people from different backgrounds and professions every now and then, which is quite exciting and at the same time nostalgic.

Every time there is a new opportunity, we get to prove ourselves better. So, it’s always like a competition which is very healthy and there’s scope for overall development, be it professional or personal. The perspective differs and there is a bigger platform, so are the expectations. The experiences in IPE are just wonderful and they are definitely going to be more memorable and exciting!  

About the Author:

I’m Sai Sharath Reddy Appidi. I’m doing my PGDM course in IPE, Hyderabad. I have a bachelor degree in Electronics and Communication engineering from Nalla Malla Reddy Engineering College, Hyderabad. My hobbies include playing cricket, watching movies and playing all kinds of outdoor games. I’m more of an action person and like to get involved either ways, organising or participating in events or anything that sounds exciting.

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