Alumni Speak
‘School taught me to aim high while staying grounded’
Apeejay School, Noida alumnus says school experiences beyond his comfort zone shaped his career and confidence later
He passed out of Apeejay School, Noida, in 2004. After school, he started working towards his professional education and pursued an engineering degree and later took up a job in the same field. Eventually, he decided to pursue a master’s in management. That shifted his career path towards management, and over the years there have been a couple of job transitions as he continued growing professionally. Meet Nirjhar Virendra, who is working with Deloitte at present.
In a candid interview, he talks about one lesson from school that has stayed with him throughout life, among other things.
Which school experiences truly shaped you the most?
There were many experiences that constantly pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me later in my career. Most of them revolved around presenting in class and participating in Inter-house activities. It taught us to think independently and, most importantly, to speak up confidently. One of the most impactful experiences for me was participating in public speaking competitions. These experiences helped me immensely, whether it was preparing for group discussions during competitive exams or addressing larger audiences in my professional life.
Was there a particular stage in life when you realised the path you wanted to follow?
Life keeps evolving because the world itself is so dynamic. There was never one single lightbulb moment for me. The foundation, however, was definitely laid during school. That was where I first learnt problem-solving, teamwork and coordination through class projects and holiday assignments, often with limited resources. Those early lessons remained relevant everywhere. Even in consulting today, I rely on the same fundamentals: breaking down problems, working with teams, managing limited resources and being practical in my approach.
What matters more than marks in the long run?
Marks are definitely important because they open doors and create opportunities. They help you reach the right places. But in the long run, what matters far more is your attitude towards learning and the kind of character you build. Qualities like curiosity, integrity and resilience have helped me sustain my career over the years. People do not remember you for scoring 99 or 100 in Math. They remember how you handled pressure, whether you took responsibility and whether you stood by people when it mattered.
In today’s AI-driven world, what skills should students focus on?
Beyond academics, I believe students should focus on three key areas: Communication, problem-solving and digital fluency. Communication is extremely important because it helps you express yourself clearly and leave a lasting impression in professional environments. Problem-solving helps you deal with both personal and professional challenges effectively. Then there is technology and digital fluency. Students must stay aware of what is happening around them, learn quickly and also be ready to unlearn and relearn whenever necessary.
One lesson from school that has stayed with you throughout life.
I would say the school motto itself stayed with me deeply. School always taught us to aim high while remaining grounded in strong values. Success was never only about titles or salaries. It has always been about the quality of work and the kind of person I become. I strongly believe in doing the right thing, preparing sincerely and treating people with respect.
