The University's Comprehensive Curriculum & Experienced Faculty Made me Choose SOMM, says Meemansha Joshi

I am Meemansha Joshi, a second-year media student at the School Of Modern Media, UPES. I’m pursuing Bachelors's in Digital and Mass Media (broadcasting) from UPES. I’m a native to Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. I have got a keen interest in Digital Marketing, Production and Post-Production, Social Media Management and Content writing. My academic record demonstrates that I am capable of providing and creating creative content. I have made quite a few short films, documentaries, and creative non-fiction during my course. I'm a creative, optimistic, and hardworking person. My hobbies are travelling, sketching and dancing.

Q1. How did you choose your course of study in school (class XI-XII)? What made you choose your current college/course (undergrad/post-grad)?

I was always interested in media and marketing. I took commerce in class XI-XII and scored 89% in my board exams. I was interested in learning business studies and gradually developed a keen interest in videography and content writing too.

After completing my higher secondary education, I began contemplating my future academic pursuits. I was interested in a career that would allow me to combine my passion for communication with my business acumen. This led me to explore options in the field of mass communication. After extensive research, I discovered that the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) offered an excellent undergraduate program in mass communication and it is the first digital media school in India. The university's comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, and state-of-the-art infrastructure were also instrumental in influencing my decision to choose UPES for my undergraduate studies.

I was attracted to the numerous opportunities for hands-on experience that UPES provides through internships, industry collaborations, and workshops. These aspects aligned perfectly with my desire to gain practical skills and knowledge while studying mass communication. I am confident that this choice will provide me with a strong foundation in the field of mass communication and equip me with the necessary skills to succeed in my future career.

Q2. How you cracked admission in your current college? What all entrance test(s) did you give? Any coaching classes that you took for preparation? Any other colleges that you were trying out for?

The admission process for UPES and securing a seat in my current college required thorough preparation and strategic planning. To gain admission to UPES, I had to go through their interview process. I have not enrolled myself for any coaching classes rather I preferred to study through the books that I had and through youtube. Apart from UPES, I also considered a few other colleges while exploring my options for pursuing mass communication. Some of the colleges I was considering were the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (SIMC), and Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC). However, UPES remained my top choice due to its excellent reputation, industry connections, and comprehensive curriculum. I was particularly drawn to the practical training and industry exposure that UPES offers, which aligns well with my career goals in the field of mass communication. After successfully cracking the interview procedure, I went through the counseling process and secured admission to UPES in the mass communication program.

Q3. How you spend your time at college? Which classes do you like to attend? Which extra-curricular activities are you a part of in college? If given a chance, what else would you want to do? How has your college experience changed you as a person?

My time at college has been a blend of academics, extra-curricular activities, and personal growth. I strive to maintain a balance that allows me to excel in my studies while also exploring my interests outside the classroom.

I thoroughly enjoy attending classes related to my mass communication program. Subjects like documentary and creative non-fiction, multicam, metaverse, blogging and web publishing intrigue me, as they provide insights into the dynamic world of media and communication. In addition to academics, I am actively involved in various extra-curricular activities on campus. I am a member of the college's cultural and literary club, where I contribute as a graphic designer and cinematographer. I’ve covered a lot of events of my college and the university too. I have developed a keen interest in content creation for the organization and my personal projects too.

Moreover, I have also been selected as the marketing intern of UPES which is providing me invaluable exposure to the industry and will also help me to learn from professionals in the field. As a Marketing Intern at UPES, I’m looking forward in supporting the marketing team in various tasks such as creating content for social media, assisting in the organization of events and campaigns, and analyzing marketing data. I expect this internship will provide me with valuable experience in marketing and communications, and the opportunity to develop skills that will be useful in your future career.

My college experience has had a profound impact on my personal growth. It has transformed me into a more confident, independent, and responsible individual. The practical learning and industry exposure at UPES have equipped me with the necessary skills to thrive in the media industry.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha