Rise Against All Odds With The Aditya Birla Group - S. Shyam, NMIMS Mumbai

Being a Material Science Engineer, Aditya Birla group has been part of my learning in terms of quality processes followed at HINDALCO, one of the world’s largest Aluminium rolling companies and Ultratech Cement. The effect of this learning reflected in our preference during our house renovation. Two products – cement and aluminium wirings- remained constant with one commonality, i.e. Aditya Birla Group.

Starting from my farewell at School to the last Interview at NMIMS, Mumbai, the link with the Aditya Birla group has been in terms of Clothing by sporting products of brands- Allen Solly, Van Heusen and Peter England- to name a few which shaped my personality with its perfect fittings, eventually exhibiting confidence. Being away from home during college, retail outlet ‘More’ brought stability to my daily functioning with its standardized products.

The presence of Aditya Birla group has been there in not just my life, but to everyone around me as there is a value addition in everyone’s experience. I extend my gratitude to the initiatives and vision of the Aditya Birla Group in touching people’s lives in India as well as across the globe.

How I overcame challenges to achieve my ambitions in life so far

In the formative years of an Individual, a change in a used-to-environment can lead to personality changes and stress/depression for few. I changed my School, i.e. with students from modest background to a relatively high-profile school. There were inhibitions of coping up with the different curriculum and method of teaching, but most importantly, the question of whether I belong here was always there at the back of my mind. From a reclusive individual to be a part of the senior football team, I was able to come out of this bubble by coming out of the comfort zone and simply involving myself at each possible opportunity available.

My passion has always been sports, especially football. Being a part of the football teams since school to college, getting on the football field with the boots on was a different zone for me where I could express myself and excel. The knee injury at the final’s in the college tournament, was a defining moment in my life, due to which, I’ve had a ligament surgery and the sacrifices that came along with it, changed my perception to life in general. The physiotherapy sessions and my determination to at least gain enough strength to run, was a mental game and eventually, I did come over these inhibitions. Although, I do not play football, I’ve taken up to running and squash, through which I’ve redefined my passion for sports!

Working as a sales engineer to getting promoted to a General Management role of Executive assistant to the Managing Director, there were challenges at each stage of being true to the workplace even if the sales were drying up and simply, trying to do more for yourself and for the company, eventually paid off as the efforts put in were recognized and I had the opportunity to work with the Managing Director. This brief period is where I’ve learned exponentially and grown as a person.

At the same time, my personal wish of doing an MBA from a reputed college was coming in the way of my work. The end goal was getting into a top B-School in the country and the challenge was to manage the workload and the preparation for the entrances. I realized to achieve my goal, I had to counter it head-on and I did it by speaking clearly to my boss, i.e. Managing Director of the Company, on my plans and took cues from him on time management. The outcome of that discussion is, I’m currently pursuing MBA at NMIMS, Mumbai and the relationship with my boss is on a personal level.

I would like to sign off by saying, challenges will be there at each juncture, but facing it with optimism and eyes on the end goal, will most often reward one with the best possible outcomes.

#NMIMSMumbai #ABGLPWooMe