‘Looking beyond one’s curriculum was nurtured at Apeejay’

From Mechanical Engineering to Software Development, Abhishek Maitra, an alumnus of Apeejay Stya University (Batch 2014–2018), has charted a truly versatile career path. Today, he works as a Senior Application Developer at Greenleaf Engineering Ltd., a US-based company serving clients like Indian Oil, BPCL, and even Tesla. In this conversation, he reflects on his memorable classroom experiences, cross-disciplinary learning at Apeejay, and the values that continue to shape his career.

Read edited excerpts:

What’s one classroom or project experience from Apeejay Stya University that still stands out for you?

While all my teachers were extremely knowledgeable, one of my favourites was my Manufacturing Engineering professor. Workshops are usually seen as tedious, but with him, they became engaging and memorable. He had this rare ability to make even technical sessions enjoyable. I think that’s why he was so popular across both second and third-year students in the Mechanical Department.

Apeejay is known for its liberal arts approach. How did that influence your learning?

That’s something I truly valued. Although I was pursuing Mechanical Engineering and Product Design, I got to explore subjects like Economics, Fine Arts, and Computer Science. This cross-disciplinary learning broadened my perspective. Today, despite being a Mechanical graduate, I’m working in software development. That flexibility of thought, looking beyond one’s curriculum, was nurtured at Apeejay.

Were you able to explore hobbies and interests beyond academics during your college years?

Absolutely! I was always fond of art and singing, but never got the chance to explore them much in school. At Apeejay, I not only studied Fine Arts for a semester under a Fine Arts teacher but also performed in the college fest and helped create murals on campus. Those creative experiences added a refreshing balance to my technical education.

Which subject did you find most challenging yet rewarding?

That would be Fluid Dynamics. I remember no student scored beyond a B2 grade in one semester, it was that tough! But working through it taught me resilience. Eventually, I was among the highest scorers in the subject, which gave me a lot of confidence.

How did Apeejay help you step into the professional world?

My first job came through campus placements at Fortuna Colours & Prints LLP in Gurgaon, where I worked as a Mechanical Engineer Trainee in digital inkjet technology. The industry has since become a massive revenue generator, but even back then, those four months gave me invaluable learning.