Mr. Suvamoy Roy Choudhary, Regional Director- HR, Reckitt Benckiser (South Asia) speaks at IMT Ghaziabad’s 2012 Induction Program

The students of IMT Ghaziabad’s batch of 2012-14 were recently welcomed into their new lives with an Induction by Mr. Suvamoy Roy Choudhary, Regional Director – Human Resources, Reckitt Benckiser (South Asia). Without mincing words, he talked to them of the realities of the corporate world. He did it in a way that answered all their doubts and allayed their fears.

With the weight of 24 years behind him, Mr. Suvamoy Roy Choudhary has a packed schedule. One day merges into the next as he works tirelessly towards meeting his company’s and his own personal goals. Getting him as speaker for IMT Ghaziabad’s Induction was a touch-and-go affair. Not because he was unwilling, but because he was always travelling from one place to another.

He began his address by saying, “My God! What a batch!” to a huge round of spontaneous applause that came from 600 pairs of enthusiastic hands. “You will grow as individuals in the next two years,” he promised.

“I believe what you learn here, and if learnt well, will have a bearing on your life,” he said, continuing, “the theories are not unimportant. They form the foundation and bedrock of everything that you do.”

Dwelling a little on his personal history, he said, “When I joined my MBA programme, there were 20 people. When I passed out, there were 18. One of them joined the IPS and the other got married. All 18 were grabbed by companies who were hungry for professionals. Today, the scene is different. IMT Ghaziabad itself has almost 600 students passing out each year. Employers are getting tougher, expecting more out of the new MBAs.”

After this brief glimpse into the past, he then looked into the future and spoke to them about factors that would give them an edge into their careers.

Some of the IMT students come with work experience and some don’t. Often those that do not have the backing of work experience feel inadequately prepared for an MBA. To them, he said, “It’s ok. You cannot undo the clock. It’s all a matter of application. How curious are you? How much of you do you want to invest?”

Instead of dwelling on what they lack, students need to concentrate on bringing out the best in themselves. Each one of them is uniquely blessed with special qualities and capabilities. Just as each one has weaknesses that need addressing. And today, help is at hand. A variety of interventions and techniques like trainings, coaching, self help seminars and on the job learning help people overcome weaknesses to bring out the best in them.

Some of the students gathered there were really concerned about their summer internships. “If you are interested in a marketing career, you must try and do your summer internship in a marketing company. Going and working in a financial institution will not add a lot of value to your marketing career,” Mr. Suvamoy Roy Choudhury advised.

Make that summer internship count by choosing the right company, he told the students. “Think through your summer internships and plan them well,” he added. Often, students get their pre-placement offers from companies they intern at, and that could be the key to a secure career.

While a career is important, so is play. In other words, the work-life balance. “It is something everyone must give thought to and is a personal thing. Every individual’s choice is different. How you unwind depends on you, and what makes you comfortable. You need to know how to balance yours, and that is your decision,” he said to the IMT Ghaziabad students as they stepped into the two years that would shape their careers and their lives.

“Make wise choices,” Mr. Suvamoy Roy Choudhury wished every one of the 600 belonging to IMT Ghaziabad’s 2012-14 batch.