Mystory@Eyya Ahmed: How I made my career- the challenges and successes

Mystory@Eyya Ahmed

I always think of myself as a student who believes that learning is a constant process. While working with Hewlett Packard, Chennai as a Process Associate in 2011, I realized the importance of management skills to climb up the corporate ladder. With an intention to get into a top business school, I prepared for CAT during my free time. Though I failed miserably in the first attempt, I kept the hope and gave another try in the following year, which brought improved results. Though my scores couldn’t take me to IIMs, I could still choose amongst the top business schools that I aspired to be in.

I came to know about VJIM, Hyderabad from my fellow mate at T.I.M.E, where I received coaching for all the entrance exams. I applied in VJIM and one fine day while I was in office, I got an interview call. I immediately applied for a sick leave at work and took a train to Hyderabad. On successful completion of interview and group discussion, I got selected in VJIM. That’s when I left my job, bid adieu to my colleagues at HP and set out to explore the best in me.

I have always believed in an overall improvement including my personality, subject knowledge, managerial skills and extra-curricular activities. At VJIM, I had tremendous opportunities to develop myself by taking part in Placement Cell, organizing events at Chrysalis, our annual cultural event, conducting interactive programs like business quiz, debates, and student forums and participating in various intercollegiate programs. One of the best experiences I had was while taking on the lead role in organizing the Business Conclave, a panel discussion that invited participation from top professionals in the corporate world.

The best part of VJIM was the time I enjoyed being in their hostel. We lived like a big family celebrating every occasion with students and staff who belonged to diverse cultures and came from across the nation. I am sure that anyone who has stayed in our hostel would agree that those were the best two years of their lives.

Our placement trainings had started six months prior to course completion. Being confident enough to crack any interviews, I turned out to be amongst the first few to get placed in Deloitte from the college.

Inspired by my friend Juhaim, Founder and CEO at Ridelogic, I always dreamt of setting up a business on my own. After gaining relevant experience from Deloitte, I chose to transform myself into an entrepreneur with Ridelogic: an innovative device to build a connected platform in the motorcycle segment. As a startup with five team members, we are still on our way to launch our product next year. Recently, we completed an accelerator programme from Singapore and also pitched the startup at RISE Conference in Hong Kong. Though there have been lots of ups and downs in our journey, the amount of learning and experience we have gained is priceless. With my passion towards branding and advertising, I currently run a signage company named Chanel Signs which is into outdoor and retail branding. My life has always been a roller coaster ride and it just continues to be so. That one thing which keeps me moving is the endless hustle to reach my goal.

My college has played a key role in transforming me into the person I am today. The faculty members, my batch mates and the college environment have also played an instrumental role. Right now, sitting in my own office, when I look back to those days, I can proudly say that I am a VJIM alumnus.

About the Author

Eyya Ahmed has done his Bachelors in Business Administration from Madras Christian College and further did PGDM Marketing and Finance from VJIM, Hyderabad. He has served a stint in marketing roles with corporates like Hewlett Packard, Deloitte and an Automotive IoT startup called Ridelogic. Presently, he is the Managing Partner at a signage company named Chanel Signs, Chennai.

Ahmed believes in endless struggle to bring success. His hobbies include outdoor adventure, fitness, travelling and exploring new places.