Harsita has been an achiever throughout her life. Be it sports, academics or extra-curricular activities, her name was always in the list of toppers. Her parents, teachers, neighbours always praised her. So much so that she felt that she is perfect in every way.

So, when she actually got rejected during the screening process for TCS Youth Employment programme, it was a big blow for her. Her candidature was reconsidered along with a few more students as we had a few seats left with us, thanks to the way Dr. Sanjay Kumar (Head education, M K Saboo PG College of Commerce) persuaded the team. “Madam, some of the students said lofty things about their career in the screening interview, but I can vouch for them, they are actually needy. Please reconsider your decision.” This is what Dr. Sanjay said at that time recalls Ms. Jaswant Kaur, our Vice President.

Be that as it may, Harsita joined the training with a lot of enthusiasm and confidence (read overconfidence). Within no time, she was exposed. The trainer, Mr. Anant Katayani gave her frank feedback. She always used to speak as if she knows everything. In fact, her first post on LinkedIn read like this, “Today I faced for the first time how being over confident can get you rejected. Thanks to my trainer Anant Katayani sir”. Most of the time she used to give superficial answers to the questions, even during the mock interviews.

Of course, she felt low at that time. But this feedback would do wonders to Harsita, no one had thought at that time. She bounced back and controlled her tendency to speak up without giving a thought. “I had to work a lot on this,” says Harsita, “but it has benefitted me a lot.”