‘My preparation started way before placement season officially kicked off’

For Raavi Chauhan, a B.Tech graduate in Computer Science Engineering with a specialisation in AI and ML from Apeejay Institute of Management and Engineering Technical Campus (AIMETC), Jalandhar, the journey has been one of discovery, growth, and ambition. Now working as a Software Engineer in the AI domain, Raavi reflects on how academic learning, startup competitions including TIE Global, mentorship, and hands-on projects at AIMETC shaped her career aspirations and professional confidence. Read edited excerpts:

How did it feel receiving your placement offer? What role were you offered?

Honestly? A mix of relief, excitement, and a little bit of disbelief — all at once. You spend years working toward something and when it actually happens, it takes a moment to sink in.

I was offered the position of Software Engineer, and it felt like a real validation — not just of my skills, but of every late night, every project, every failed attempt that eventually taught me something. It gave me this quiet confidence that I was on the right path, and it lit a fire to keep pushing forward.

How did you prepare for placements?

My preparation started way before placement season officially kicked off. I focused on getting my fundamentals solid — DSA, databases, core CS concepts — because I knew those would come up no matter what company I was interviewing for. At the same time, I kept building projects in AI/ML, because I wanted something real to talk about, not just theoretical knowledge.

One thing I genuinely believe made a difference was networking — and I don’t mean just adding people on LinkedIn. I mean actually having conversations with seniors, industry professionals, and recruiters. Those conversations gave me a much clearer picture of what companies actually look for, and they opened doors I didn’t even know existed. Mock interviews are important. Do them even when they’re uncomfortable — especially when they’re uncomfortable.

How did your teachers at Apeejay support you through the process?

The faculty were genuinely invested in us, which isn’t something you always get. Whenever I was confused — whether about a technical concept or just how to approach an interview — there was always someone to talk to. They ran mock interviews, aptitude sessions, and just made themselves available.

What really stood out was the Enhancement Employment Programs (EEP) organised by the teachers — structured sessions specifically designed to bridge the gap between academics and what the industry actually expects from you. Those made a real difference in how prepared I felt walking into interviews.

What I appreciated most was that it never felt transactional. The mentorship was real. And going into interviews knowing that your teachers actually believe in you — that does something for your confidence that no amount of practice problems can replicate.

What tips would you give to students preparing for placements?

A few things I wish I’d heard earlier:

Get your basics right first. Everything else builds on top of that. Build projects you actually care about. It shows in how you talk about them. Practice consistently, not in panic bursts right before placement season. Network — genuinely. Talk to people, ask questions, share what you know. It’s not about collecting contacts, it’s about building relationships. Learn from rejections. Every interview that doesn’t go well is data. Use it. Work on your communication. You can know everything and still lose an opportunity because you couldn’t explain it clearly. And please don’t skip the HR rounds thinking they don’t matter — they absolutely do.

What are your future aspirations?

I’m being honest, my biggest dream isn’t just to climb the corporate ladder — it’s to eventually build something of my own. A startup, a product, something that sits at the intersection of AI and real-world impact. That’s what genuinely excites me when I think about the future.

Right now I’m learning a lot in the industry, and I think that’s exactly where I need to be. But in the back of my mind, I’m always thinking about the bigger picture — how can AI actually help the world, not just make processes faster or businesses more profitable?

I’m particularly drawn to problems around environmental sustainability. These feel urgent in a way that’s hard to ignore. That’s the kind of work I want to dedicate my career to eventually.

So the dream is this: build enough experience, knowledge, and perspective in the industry that when I do take that leap into entrepreneurship, I’m building something that actually matters — technology that creates a measurable, positive difference for people and the planet. It’s ambitious, I know. But why aim for anything less?