Mystory@Rohan Jain: How I chose my course and career path – Challenges and learnings

Mystory@Rohan Jain

While in the final year of my Engineering, I realized that I wasn’t much interested in it. Moreover, the jobs too don’t provide many opportunities to grow and learn. They fail to provide the exposure needed to grow for an individual. So, I wanted to be as far as possible from this life and wanted to learn more and more. It was then that I started to develop some interest for MBA, especially in the Finance sector. Moreover, I had some champion friends who encouraged me for it as they themselves were interested in it. So the company of my friends helped it to develop too. Then I started taking management subjects as electives (like Personnel Management) in my UG itself. That increased my interest in the field of management.

How I prepared for competitive exams

First of all, this was my second attempt at CAT. The first being CAT 2015 in which I scored 99.08 percentile, but being an absolute GEM (pun intended) I had no calls from any old IIMs. So even though I converted IIT B (SJMSOM), I gave up on it and started to prepare for CAT 2016.

Taking out time while working for a job is difficult. You have to make some sacrifices. However, I made use of whatever time I had to study for CAT. A couple of hours every day from July onwards and regular tests on weekends and its analysis is how I prepared. CAT is not very tough but you have to be patient for it and be calm, especially on the exam day.

I took coaching last year when I was in the final year of my college and it helps in the way that it forces you to maintain regularity in your practice. After all, practice is the only thing that helps. I knew my strong area was Quant and you have to reap its benefits to take your score to the next level. This is where I failed in CAT 2015, but this time I didn't and this is what helped. Specific books don't matter, most of them are good. I would like to suggest others to follow the same approach of practicing regularly and taking tests at least once a week and their analysis to understand the areas of improvement.

Given a chance to change anything, I would definitely like to change my HSC marks as they are damaging a lot in my journey to a reputed MBA College. I messed my 12th scores as I did not give any importance to it and gave my whole hearted effort to IIT-JEE and AIEEE preparations. I regret taking 12th standard scores for granted till today.

Lastly, I would just like to say that be focused towards your goals but also enjoy life simultaneously. And if anything bad happens, just let it go.

About the Author:

I did my primary education from Godhra and then moved to Vadodara for higher education and proper coaching. I then went to NIT Surat (SVNIT) wherein I did my bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. Thereafter, I joined National Engineering Industries in Vadodara. At present, I am a Graduate Engineer Trainee and will be Assistant Manager as soon as I complete my training.

I love sports and I am particularly interested in Cricket, Badminton, and Football. I love playing and watching Football. I have been a part of the U-19 District Champions team and went on to play the State Level Tournament.