Interview: Santosh Mishra
3 min read |
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Many thanks for agreeing to speak to do this interview. To start things off, could you first tell me a little bit about your current job role and what you are responsible for?
I am presently working as a Software Developer in Accenture and as an E-channel Director in Formula Bharat. I also mentor a few FS teams.
Could you describe your background, qualification and how you got involved in Formula Student?
I graduated with a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology. Right at the end of first year, I was selected to join the very first formula student team at our University – Veerracerss. I worked for the same as Assistant Marketing Head in 2014 and was the Team Captain and Suspension Design Head in 2015.
Give us a brief of your role on Formula Bharat.
Right after my graduation, I applied for the post of an E-channel Director at Formula Bharat, as I have always wanted to be a part of such an event. Working along with the Event manager, Cathy, I drive programs which lead to enhance the social presence of the event. Introducing the teams via posters and hosting of the social media contest for the Most Popular Team at Formula Bharat 2017 are a few the initiatives I led this year.
Has Formula Student been helpful with gaining career prospects?
Being on a team lets you learn hundreds of things such as team work , time management and stress management. I thank the team, Veerracerss, which gave me the opportunity to grow as as an individual and as a professional. Participating is such a large event is as big as winning it and you get to know a few amazing people throughout the journey. I am glad to work with people who used to be the people I admired a lot while I was a student.
Applying for jobs after graduation can be a frustrating activity; what was your experience post-graduation?
I was one of the few lucky ones who directly got into the job upon graduation.
They usually say that once you are in FS, you eat, sleep and breathe it. What was your experience when you graduated and could no longer participate?
After my last FS event, I wondered how can I could stay active in the same field as I have a lot of interest in Formula Student. Thanks to Cathy for getting me on the Formula Bharat team as I am able to live my dream again but in a different way.
What do you think the main benefits of FS are and how would you recommend that students make the most of it ?
- Team work – 25-30 members designing and building a brand new car with coordination; nothing can teach you more about team work than this!
- Time management – wherever you go in life you will have deadlines and a person who is part of a FS team always knows how to make the deadline (the sleepless nights were the best parts)
- Networking – connect with new people. I have various contacts via FS, who have been my go-to people when I am in need of something.