Akash Verma, PGDM Batch 2016–18 at SRMS IBS, recently completed his internship with Bharti Airtel Pvt. Ltd. He claims it taught him different aspects of working in a professional environment but, more importantly, it offered him direction for his future career. “I have learned a lot about self-motivation, to push myself to the limit, grooming, and never giving up. In future I would like to work with a big brand, even if it means compromising on the remuneration, because the benefits are tremendous.”
First Steps Towards a Successful Internship
For Akash, the training for a professional career began from day 1 at SRMS IBS. He was involved in innovative learning activities, guest lectures, and discussions that taught him what to expect in the industry. Classroom learning drilled home the importance of time management, professional grooming, and presentation. “I had to rely on all these qualities during my internship. Since it was my first time with a top-rung corporate company I could have felt nervous, but I wasn’t. My faculty and mentors guided me to take on the challenges and perform to the best of my abilities.”
Executing the Learning on Field
Akash’s internship took him to the company’s offices in Kanpur. As a Territory Sales Manager he had to work with a team of Field Sales Executives and make sure that different markets were covered and targets were met. It was a fairly responsible position to dive into right from the onset of his internship. “It was definitely a demanding task but I handled it very well. I was told by my mentor that as a team manager you need to get the job done, even if it means asking for it a dozen times. So I had to discipline myself first and then ensure that my team was functioning at its best. It was a huge learning experience for me.”
Important Takeaways from the Internship
Working with Airtel Payment Banks Account brought many challenges for Akash. Interacting with retailers required his best negotiation skills. Also, he had to be patient and flexible. But he was prepared for the responsibilities, thanks to the special sessions he had at SRMS IBS before the internship. It enabled him to make the most out of the experience. “Now I know that whatever the situation might be in the field you can’t give up. I have become more adaptable and better at communicating with people, which are traits I will always bank on.”
