Orientation. It can be a process, procedure, idea, layout to mark the
beginning of a new start and to align
you along a set procedure. In this case, it was for my MBA programme. With all
new faces, entering into the new world, orientation
was a new thing for many of us, especially the kind of orientation we
have it here at SIMS. Coming from diverse backgrounds with different qualifications,
skills, experiences, knowledge and stature, it was the orientation which
brought all of us to the same platform.
The orientation was evenly planned and well executed. It was designed and formulated in such a way that each and every student,
understands the nuances of working culture of
corporate world, right from the way you dress up, to the way you address
and the business etiquettes essential for a corporate professional and much more.
Starting from day one, the schedule was designed in such a way that, we as
beginners get taste of all the activities like running, yoga, meditation,
physical training, dance, etc. There was a lot to learn from each and every
event and activity, right from the
morning exercise to the assignments till night.
Then having classes from morning till afternoon helped to get into the
mode of classroom learning after a long break and helped everyone to know each
other in the batch better along with the faculty. In classes, teachers shared
their experiences of the corporate life,
which served as a good base to understand the business environment prevalent in
the different sectors existing in our country. There was also a lot to learn
from the seminars organised in the afternoon session, with eminent speakers and
industry people addressing the gathering. It was great to listen to their
personal experiences and hard deeds which proved to be great source of
inspiration and motivation to keep going well.
Then, there were the batch-meets in every session, so called “ FALL-IN”.It proved to be great source of ‘skills
gathering session’. Right from the analysis of the
assignments to the powerpoint presentations, every session had
new things to learn from. Opportunities were provided to present your work on
stage which helped me overcome my stage fear. Activities like ET quiz required
thorough reading of the Economic Times
and other business magazines. This certainly ensured that i get into the
habit of reading important business magazines which is very much essential to
keep oneself updated on a day-to-day basis.
The most important skill which orientation helped me to learn and
incorporate is “TIME MANAGEMENT”. Completing the assignments within the given
frame of time with deadlines was both fun and eye-opener. It made me to realise that
how in a corporate organisation, one can be tested at different times ‘within short time’. Also getting ready
within minutes, managing your meals with loads of work on, taught a great deal
of managing time. Working within time
limits, that too with full efficacy is the primary requirement for any
professional. Moreover, proper time management helped me to carve out time for
other activities like reading, socialising, etc. Thus it would not be wrong
to say that, orientation played a great part in understanding the necessity of
proper time management.
Another major learning from the orientation has been “TEAM WORK”. Being
together in a group, working in groups and exchanging ideas within group assisted in
understanding the coordination and cooperation required for a perfect execution of plans and ideas. Working in trimate and pentamate groups was a great experience and helped me to realise the criticalities of
team work. I got to learn and
experience the importance of effective coordination and knowledge sharing while working in
teams. Team management is the most
important aspect of organisational working and having been given an opportunity
to experience
it at the very beginning of the course, is something to cherish upon.
To sum up, orienatation as a whole was a great life-time experience that
helped in gaining discipline, getting more punctual, in learning time
management skills and important aspects of working such as team-work. Besides
these, it also helped me realise my potential and capability of pushing myself
beyond my comfort zone. It was a superb learning experience which incorporated
both working values and the joy of working to attain your goals, which forms
the basis of satisfaction.
