How I chose my career: Abhishek Pandey

Parul University

I was not even 12 years old when I understood that I had a connection with machines, especially computers and devices. I started to dig more and more about my passion towards technology and I became obsessed with it. I’d take anyone’s mobile or device and start scorching it to the end. I always liked to repair what was broken and break something that was already working. This is exactly how I knew my future was within these technological items or I would say Computer Science, specifically. I took the subject of Computer more seriously than other main subjects such as Physics, Maths, and Chemistry. I forced my parents to buy me a computer although it wasn’t easy for them to afford it. This scenario was the only reason that I took Computer Science as my course. My family backed me even when I gave up sometimes. Nothing in this era comes cheap but strong determination about something allows one to achieve it.

So, the course was set for me earlier than most of the students, but the platform to achieve it was never that easy. I chose Computer Science because I had an interest in this subject.

How I cracked college admission

Even after my Class 12th results were declared, I didn’t stop learning as I had to score well in JEE. I took tuition classes especially for JEE Main, which helped me a lot. I would study hard for Chemistry and Maths as they were my weaknesses at that time. I went through previous years’ question papers to prepare myself for the upcoming one. The questions were trickier than the usual; the answer would be lying in front of me but I wasn’t able to see them. My coaching class helped me read and understand the problem given in the question and to solve it. The coaching classes would take a lot out of me. Time was running fast for the months when I was preparing myself for the entrance test. The test was on the first weekend of April 2016. Results were declared soon. I scored satisfactory marks. According to the marks in Class 12th and JEE Main, I was given a rank amongst the students in Gujarat through ACPC. The best way to prepare for this entrance test is to learn from a well-experienced teacher because the level of complexity in this particular examination is excessively high for a student.

ACPC conducted rounds where a student could mark his interest in colleges according to the position. The results were out each week and the next round also begun right after that. Students could appear for the second round if not satisfied with the given colleges in the previous round. I got the college of my interest in the third round of ACPC. I went to the college and confirmed my admission by paying the fees. Getting admission is not easy sometimes; one should be prepared very well to present himself in front of the authorities.

I gave them the reason I should be there and also discussed the need to get there in the college. I believed in myself, which gave a confident look to me. Since then, I am making the most of my college days, not only by submitting the assignments but also by taking time to understand things and spending most of my time with my passions.

My college life

College for me is special in many ways. I indulge in sports and extra-curricular activities of my college. I am making my college days count for me and also making sure that I make the most of every day that I spend here. It’s not only about studies; I love every other thing that’s happening around me. It’s like something inside me is always asking me to participate in something that I have never been a part of. I took the advantage of my college life to the most. I never wanted anything to be left to experience, so I made sure that I did everything in my power. I also participated in different kinds of sports to keep myself occupied. Sports are an extremely significant part of my life, also, my college life. Sports inspire me in many ways.

I was always interested in technology, so I made sure that I took something that was capable of enhancing my knowledge. I chose this career for me as I had wanted this for myself. I was even lucky with my family that I was allowed to choose something that I wanted for myself. Also, there were cousins who counselled me with the course and the college. So yes, I chose the stream and college for myself very nicely according to me.

I was sometimes distracted from my course, sometimes by sports or sometimes by particular people. The mistake I made was not paying attention to what was happening around. Also, I was under the impression that I could pretty much cover everything without paying proper attention, and that gave me a major setback once. Overconfidence is really the worst thing, especially for a student. The worse thing about overconfidence is that one never really knows whether or not he/she is trusting too much.

I always tried to apply whatever I learnt. Application of knowledge is an important aspect of education, as everything becomes useless if someone is not able to apply it. There were lab sessions that created significant impact on me. Lab sessions were too important for my course as they allowed the application of my knowledge.

I took advice about every decision of mine from my seniors and also consulted them while choosing the course and the college. I think that this consulting worked for me very well. I find myself at a very good position when I am surrounded by good advisors. I also took many workshops which worked for me very well. I was also interested in other fields’ concepts, so I also attended other fields’ sessions. Gaining knowledge from every corner of the campus was one of my major objectives and that worked out well for me.

Career selection is as simple as ‘Just do what you want to do from the inside’. Doing what we love makes us feel secure about what we choose. Never doubt your own decisions and back yourself up with confidence.
Trusting one’s instinct is important, it’s just like the reflexes.

About the Author:

Abhishek Pandey

My name is Abhishek Pandey and I am pursuing BTech in Computer Science and Engineering from Parul University, Vadodara. I have passed SSC and HSC from Gujarat board. I am extremely active on social media and I also sing. I play a lot of games but Volleyball is my favourite. I am a state-level Volleyball player and a district-level Kabaddi player.