It was a coaching institute poster where I first got to know about the Indian Institute of Technology. I was curious and asked my father what IIT means. He told me that these are the most prestigious engineering colleges in the country and only the brightest minds get admission here.
I was always good at Science and Mathematics and wanted to pursue a career in the same field. The other reason I worked hard to crack JEE and earn admission into IIT is that I come from a humble background and I wish to provide my family with a better life. My father is a stationery shop owner and my mother is a homemaker. We are three sisters and I am the middle one.
How I chose IIT Madras and my course
I am currently in the final year of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at IIT Madras. During my counselling, I had options to choose between IIT BHU, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras and some other IITs. I chose IIT Madras after looking at the syllabus of all the branches. I zeroed down upon Naval Architecture as I like wave hydrodynamics when I studied it in Class 11 and 12. One of the other reasons I chose IIT Madras is because it ranked best amongst all colleges. Also, I wanted to choose a non-core subject only. My all India rank was approximately 12,000.
My day begins with attending classes, after that, I am busy with SAATHI (student wellness cell of IIT Madras) core work. So, if we are organising an event then I am generally caught up with that. Once I am done with activities, I finish my homework and study. I go swimming every day at 7 pm and after dinner, my friends and I go for a walk. Since this is our last year, we don’t have much academic workload so we indulge in different activities and competitions happening on the campus.
I also practice the guitar from 6 pm to 7 pm. I am not a seasoned player but just wanted to learn an instrument. I mostly participate in academic clubs and not cultural ones. I am a part of the entrepreneurship, finance clubs and internship team.
SAATHI and why it is important
In my first year, all students were allotted a SAATHI mentor to guide and help us. Even after four years since we met, we are still in touch with them. She still helps and guides me. My experience with my mentor left a great impression on me and I felt that if I am in this team, I will be able to strengthen it. Since the programmes organised by SAATHI had a positive impact on me, I wanted to make the programmes even more effective. The other reasons were I love organising events and am passionate about leading a team. Being a SAATHI core, helps me to achieve my goals.
We work with the general secretary and other college authorities. Leading a team is a great learning experience and you get to guide various vertices and help other students as well.
Being a SAATHI core this year, I am not a part of the finance club and internship teams. In the finance club, I was engaged as a correspondent and wrote articles about what was happening in the economy. In the internship team, my job is to get companies on board and manage interviews of students with companies, resolving if any issues crop up. I also interned with an institute-funded start-up as a data analyst. Once, I graduate I will be working with JP Morgan Chase as a global market analyst. I have a PPO (pre placement offer) from them. I interned with them as well. I was interested in finance and the e-cell of IIT-Madras was helpful in getting internships in the finance field.
Last semester and fun with friends
Since this is my last semester and we don’t have a lot of workload, I have become a movie buff. My friends and I watch whatever films — be it Hindi or English — showing at the nearest movie hall. And, once a week all of us will have a pyjama party where we will awake all night and talk.
When only girls are hanging out, we chill in the hostel as there are our rooms, common areas and even sports facilities. When all of us are hanging out we either go to CCD (on times we have a lot of money) or the Himalaya food court. We are allowed to go to boys’ hostels as well. We mostly eat together. There is Mummy Daddy Andhra Mess, Bihari Dhaba.
In these four years, I learned that you have to find where you belong, your calling and what makes you happy. The path may be difficult and unconventional but you shouldn’t give up. It is easy to do what everyone else is doing but finding your path is important.
Courtesy : The Indian Express