Securing a placement on the very first attempt is a milestone many management students aspire to achieve. Riya Singh, a student of Apeejay School of Management, did just that. Currently placed at Lots Wholesale Solutions, she is navigating a role quite different from her specialisation. In this candid conversation, she reflects on her journey, learning experiences, and the importance of being authentic during placements.
Read edited excerpts:
What role have you been placed in, and what does your organisation do?
I have been placed as a Category Manager at Lots Wholesale Solutions. It’s a B2B company with multiple stores across Delhi NCR, and now it’s also expanding into B2C. I manage the confectionery category, ensuring product availability and working on new product introductions.
How did you feel when you received your placement offer?
I felt really glad. It’s a great company, and many of my seniors from college are already working here. Having alumni in my team makes me feel supported, and it almost feels like a continuation of college.
How has working with alumni impacted your experience?
It has been incredibly helpful. They understand academic commitments like exams and are very cooperative. It feels like having mentors who genuinely guide you.
Can you walk us through your placement process?
The process began with submitting our CVs through the CRC faculty. The first round was an HR interview. Interestingly, my specialisations are HR and Marketing, but the role offered was in operations. Despite that, I was very interested and decided to go ahead.
What do you think worked in your favour during the interview?
Honesty. I clearly told them that I come from an HR background and may even consider switching internally in the future. I also shared my internship experience at Bharti Airtel in HR shared services. I think they appreciated my clarity and willingness to learn something new.
What have you learned in your role so far?
It’s been a steep learning curve. I ensure 95%+ product availability in my category and handle new product launches. This operational exposure is completely new for me, and I’ve learned a lot in just three months.
How did your college experience prepare you for this role?
Being the Vice President of the CRC and participating in HR and operations clubs helped build my confidence and communication skills. In my current role, I interact with suppliers daily, so clear communication is essential.