‘There are no short-cuts to success’

Hailing from a small sub-division of Sirsa in Haryana, Rajvinder Singh had no idea about Apeejay’s Higher Education programmes while pursuing his diploma from a Polytechnic in 1998 in Mandi Adampur, Hisar. After completing the course, his friends told him that if he was looking to pursue engineering then Apeejay institute was the best place to study.

That is precisely what he did. His was the second batch that took admission at the Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA) for the lateral entry programme back in 1999. At that time the education society had just bought the land in Sohna. Haryana. With no building in place, his classes took place at Apeejay School in Sector 15 in Faridabad. “Though there was no structure and the classes were conducted from temporary rooms, there was not a single day that a faculty member failed to take the class,” Singh said.

In an impromptu interview, here’s what he had to say.

How was your experience studying at ACFA?

To be honest I had not expected the level of dedication that the faculty members showed. Though the classes were held in temporary structures, the teachers were always present for the lectures. I don’t remember skipping any class while pursuing my course; I did B Tech in Electronics and Communication. The dedication with which they taught us was amazing. It was so different from what I was used to when I was doing my diploma.

Of course, the programme itself was so different from what was taught to us in the diploma course. The BTech course even back then was lengthy and labourious. But I loved each minute of my time and have extremely fond memories that I still carry with me. I owe my success to ACFA.

What made you pursue engineering?

There was no thought process. I had taken up Science in Class XI; non-medical. At that time, there were few options available – it was either medicine or engineering. I took the latter. And things just took off from there. I think it was destiny that took me to where I am today.

Why did you choose to work for the Airport Authority of India?

When I graduated in 2000, there were only a handful of Multinational Companies and for those that were there, getting a job in the private sector was extremely difficult. Also, my father was in a Government job and it followed that I do the same. There are so many advantages of working for the Government– the salary structure is good, promotions take place on time and there is job security – a big plus even today.

What is the best part of your job here?

My work here is very interesting and unique. I work with Air Traffic Control. This means that it is my work to be in touch with the aircraft from the time it revs up its engines to the time it shuts off. It is my job to guide the aircraft when it takes to the skies, taxis and finally lands. The minute the pilot switches the engine, he/she comes in contact with me.

What are the challenges that your job throws at you daily?

I would say each day is a challenge. No two days are the same. There is always something new that happens and I get to learn new things. The weather is unpredictable. This means my job can throw a curve ball. The lives of all the people in the aircraft are in my hands. It is my responsibility to ensure that passengers have a safe flight.

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“To be honest I had not expected the level of dedication that the faculty members showed. Though the classes were held in temporary structures, the teachers were always present for the lectures. I don’t remember skipping any class while pursuing my course”  

-Rajvinder Singh, an alumnus of Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar

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What advice would you like to give to those wanting to pursue engineering?

While the field offers plenty of opportunities, it depends on the individual whether he will be able to excel in the sector. There are plenty of jobs but a person should only work here if it interests him/her. A lot of people take up studying the programme because their friends are doing it or a family member has advised them. I would say follow your passion.

What is the lesson that you have learnt to date?

Everyone today wants to take short-cuts and achieve great heights. But in my experience of over two decades, I would say that there one has to work hard towards achieving success.