How the university taught me the power of networking

I overcame my inhibitions and made the most of my university experience while I pursued MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LSCM) from 2019-2021 at UPES

I decided to enrol for post-graduation five years after completing my graduation. The journey started in July 2019 at UPES. I came to the university with the aim of scoring good grades and enhancing my personality. But the fear of failure kept me confined to the campus for nearly two months. 

During the orientation program we were divided into four houses and we used to engage in group activities. And then came the Dale Carnegie workshop for personality enhancement. It really helped me with my communication skills, collaboration and critical thinking.

The first time I stepped out of the campus was for the 3^rd World Water Summit held in New Delhi. That opened my eyes to the enormity of the water crisis and how we could use innovative ideas to solve this global problem.

Thereafter, I got an opportunity to be on the discussion panel for ‘Budget 2020 Young Minds’, organised by Education Ahead in association with India Ahead News and hosted by UPES, where I put forth my views on why “we need inventors before investors”.

Industrial visits to Volvo, Bengaluru; Unibic, Bengaluru; and Tupperware, Dehradun, exposed me to industry operations and sustainable business practices.

During Covid, when we were forced to work from home, I was selected as an intern at Digital Marketing at Sarvodaya Infotech where I learned how communication, technology and innovations impact my area of study, i.e., LSCM.

Working on a dissertation was also an enriching experience. I researched ‘Green Supply Chain Practices in Electronics Industry in India’ to gain insights on consumer perceptions regarding the use and disposal of electronic products in our country. It also helped me in mapping the impact of existing supply chain practices on our environment.

And then there were events like Wow Wednesday, Logistikas, Uurja, Udaan, Eltonia, Ignite, Manthan, etc., that kept us busy and entertained all year round.  

Academic events such as Agro-Horticulture Supply Chain Conference (AHSCC) and Supply Chain Summit, helped me to know how policies are planned and how debates and discussions lead us to find the best solutions. I also learned about new researches and innovative strategies being implemented in the industry. Interactions with alumni and industry experts, masterclasses and guest lectures further kept me updated about the market trends.

No words can sum up my gratitude and admiration for the faculty at UPES. Dr. Neeraj Anand, HOD, Department of Transportation Management, was like a father like figure to me, forever ready to guide and lend a helping hand. Course Coordinators, Asst. Prof. Rohit Sindhwani (1^st year) and Dr. Rupesh Kumar (2^nd year), were also very helpful. Even in Covid times, they ensured smooth functioning of our online classes. Our Placement-in-Charge, Dr. Rupesh Kumar, along with Dr. Saurabh Tiwari from the Department of Transportation Management, helped us in securing gainful internships.

All the faculty members were so supportive that I soon overcame my reticence to emerge as one of the most interactive students in the class! I could also connect my theoretical knowledge with real-world problems. I learned how important connections and networks are in helping a person succeed. At the E-Farewell, the Dean of UPES School of Business, Dr. Githa S. Heggde gave us an assurance that the faculty would be there for us at all times. This just goes to show how committed the university is towards its students.

The camaraderie with my classmates and a friendly, competitive environment shaped me into the people-oriented person that I am today. I shall forever cherish the memories of my time at UPES. It has given me lifelong sounding boards in the form of my teachers, besides providing me the best possible opportunities to discover my strengths and reinvent myself.

(The writer is an alumni of UPES School of Business)