‘I am in this position today because of my time at AIMETC’

Sanjay Kumar is a newly promoted Sales Technical Engineer with MRF Ltd. He pursued a Master of Business Administration degree at the Apeejay Institute of Management and Engineering Technical Campus, Jalandhar (AIMETC) from the batch of 2018. In an interview, Mr. Kumar mentions how AIMETC nurtured him like a plant and gave the necessary confidence to speak in group discussions, interviews and extra-curricular activities. Edited excerpts:
 
What was the inspiration to pursue an MBA degree?
I come from a very humble family. I am the breadwinner of my family. I was always interested in theater but I also had a knack towards management. So, I chose to do an MBA. I manage a team of 60 members currently.

Please tell us about some of your best memories from the AIMETC campus?
Every second of those two years was special. I have thousands of memories with my teachers and classmates. All equally special.  I got the Best Actor award in the cultural fest in 2017. I portrayed 27 actors during my mimicry performance. I vividly remember playing Amrish Puri and Sunny Deol among others.

Please tell us about your professional journey?
I got selected at MRF in 2018 as a Territory Sales Manager. I underwent a six-week training at their Ludhiana district office. Then I got posted in Jammu and Kashmir. I was looking at the sales for the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir including Leh and Ladakh. When I joined, the average turnover of the company was 96 Crores. I ensured that the company had an upward growth graph throughout my career. Last month I was chosen as the number one Territory Sales Manager in MRF in India. I have received this award twice during my tenure here.
My role and responsibilities included dealer appointment, dealer growth, rupee value growth, dealer management and product group achievement. I opened more than thirteen dealers in my territory during my tenure. This was the highest figure a person achieved during their tenure.

How did the Apeejay Institute of Management and Engineering Technical Campus (AIMETC) help you to pursue your dreams?
I was well nurtured at AIMETC. I was a sapling and I got the space to grow there. I was initially very nervous and couldn’t speak in front of people. However, I was well-groomed at AIMETC, especially in theatre. I was also the winner of mimicry and mono-acting at the national level cultural fest at AIMETC. I got all the help possible from my teachers. They always encouraged and guided me to bloom in both academics as well as theater. They also prepared me for group discussions, interviews and made me confident enough to speak in front of people. I am in this position today due to my time at AIMETC.

What life lessons would you like to give to a current MBA student at AIMETC?
I would suggest that the students are in the best phase of their life. They are free to do what they want to do. They are the best institute of North India. I remember, I left my MBA seat at Punjab University to do an MBA from AIMETC. The staff here is very helpful, so make the best use of your time. You have all my best wishes.