‘Keep communication going with faculty; it can help further your prospects’

Applying for higher studies and pursuing graduation at Apeejay Stya University (ASU) for someone who lives in Gurugram is a no-brainer. Yet, for this software engineer, working as Engineer Training, there were a few things that needed to be ticked on the checklist.

“Yes, applying at ASU’s School of Engineering and Technology was convenient since I live in Gurugram but I didn’t apply here with blindfolds on. I did some research and read quite a few social media posts before I finally zeroed in on ASU,” Anirudh Chauhan said.

Excerpts from an interview.

Why did you choose ASU?

Once I passed out of SD Memorial Senior Secondary School, I was looking for colleges where I could pursue Computer Science. Of course, the obvious choice was ASU since it is in Gurugram. But there were other things that I needed to check out. I saw what the faculty was; I also looked at the infrastructure and other facilities that it had to offer. I was satisfied on all counts and applied.

How was the experience of studying here?

Actually, I spent only 15 months on campus attending classes. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everything shut down. The classes shifted to online mode. There is a vast difference when it comes to learning online as opposed to being physically present in the class where the professor is teaching. I would say the overall experience was satisfactory. I did get to learn the necessary skillsets I needed to get the job.

What were the challenges of studying online?

Definitely, there was a challenge, to begin with. To be honest, I hated the idea of learning online; I didn’t like the way things would be done. So much so that I didn’t attend even a single class for an entire month. But after a month of no-shows, my mentor Garima Sharma called me and explained the importance of attending online classes.

I was a bit reluctant but when I started attending the classes, the faculty made learning easy even though it was strange to see your friends’ faces but not interact with them face-to-face.

 Is this your first job?

Yes. I was hired straight out of campus through the placement cell with Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd in Noida. The company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of components for the automotive industry. I have been working here since April 2022.

The temptation when you get your first salary is to blow it all away. But I decided to start saving from the day; so that is what I did.

Was there any particular reason why you chose a programme in Computer Science?

Even when I was in school, I knew what I wanted to do and therefore took Science (non-medical). Computer Science always interested me. This sector offers plenty of opportunities and growth prospects in terms of pay packages and moving up the corporate ladder.

Did ASU hone practical skillsets as well?

Yes. Even though the classes were online, they gave a few projects that we could work on. I remember that my first project was making a bladeless fan in Physics; it was part of the engineering topic that was being taught at that time. The other one was a Microprocessor chip.

The practical skills that I learnt as part of the curriculum are coming in handy today in my job. As part of an external course that I did – Oracle PL/SQL. In my present company, the work is all about PL/SQL.

“The practical skills that I learnt as part of the curriculum are coming in handy today in my job”

–Anirudh Chauhan, Engineer Training, 
 Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd

Advice you would like to give to present ASU students.

It is important to keep the communication going with the faculty; be in touch with them. This will help you learn more. Keeping this channel open will help you further your career prospects. The faculty can guide you on where to apply once your course is over and what other skillsets you will need as you move up the ladder.

What kind of help was extended by the placement cell at ASU?

There were a few key areas where the placement cell stepped in and that helped quite a bit. First, they helped me shortlist the companies that I wanted to apply to. I had to prepare for the written test by myself but they told me how I could go about preparing for the same. Second, they told me where I could get tips to prepare for the interview.