‘Be honest and confident when appearing for campus placements’

For Akansha Verma, emotions are her strength and so she always aspired to be part of a creative field. The 22-year-old budding professional believed that  “emotions play a significant role in any creative field, especially advertising as emotional content connects with consumers’ personal experiences”. Thus, when she received an internship opportunity with Wunderman Thompson to work in their Creative Art section, the Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication (AIMC) student was thrilled. Akansha, with her BA degree in Journalism and Mass Communication as well as Post Graduate qualification in Advertising and Marketing Communications, is all set to venture into the field of creativity. Read edited excerpts:

Did you always aspire to join a creative field? 

I recently joined Wunderman Thompson as an Intern in Creative Art. This is my first job and  I am both excited as well as nervous. When I got the offer by Wunderman Thompson, I was really happy because it’s the #1 advertising agency in the world. I feel lucky to have this opportunity and feel grateful to have professors like Pijush sir, who believed in me and encouraged me to believe in myself all the time that I can do this and crack this interview. 

What skills did you develop in AIMC and how did the professors help you?

In AIMC, I learned how the media, advertising and public relation industries work. The day-to-day practical work along with theoretical sessions helped me familiarise with important knowledge and today, all of it is really helping me in my job, as I know what to do next and how this industry works.

How did these skills help you crack the job interview?

In AIMC, I created a portfolio which helped me during the placements. Moreover, all the skills I learned and gained from Apeejay helped me to crack different levels of the interview process.

Read This: ‘My talents were polished at AIMC’

As this is your first job interview, what has been your preparation strategy to crack it?

Cracking the interview to bag the first job is always special. I just stayed calm and believed in myself that if this meant to be it will. Because everything happens for a reason. So I appeared for the interview without any pressure and tension. The goal was to honestly answer each question during the interview. And I feel that is a key to success – to be honest and confident. 

Three tips for someone starting his/her career fresh 

1. Believe in yourself that you can do it.
2. Work on yourself and your skills.
3. Stay confident and calm because everything happens for a reason.

Where do you see yourself in the coming 5 years?

I see myself starting my own graphic design company in the next five years and providing my customers with effective design solutions. I’ll have the freedom to practice my creativity, work on a variety of projects, and have a significant impact on the industry, because I’ll be building my own firm. I’m motivated by the opportunities that lie ahead and focused to establish myself as a valuable entrepreneur in the design industry.