The Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB), Pune, hosted an engaging HR leadership panel titled "Building Corporate Careers: Conversations with HR Leaders" as part of its Induction and Orientation Programme for the incoming MBA Batch of 2026-28. The session featured eminent HR leaders from diverse industries, including Ms. Preeti Ahuja, Global CHRO of Husk Power; Ms. Rinita Laskar, Director HR at Marquardt India; Mr. Sudhanshu Gawande, Director HR at Zepto; and Ms. Sayantani Basu, Head HR at Spring Energy. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Alka Maurya, Director of SIIB.
Self-Awareness as the Foundation
The panel unanimously agreed that career success begins with self-awareness. Students were encouraged to engage in regular self-reflection to understand their strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, and areas for improvement. Maintaining a personal journal or to-do list aligned with goals was suggested as a practical habit. According to the panelists, recognizing one's uniqueness early sets the trajectory for the future.
Internships as Extended Job Interviews
The most emphatic message of the session centered on summer internships. The panel urged students to treat their internships as two-month job interviews rather than mere formalities. They stressed that the quality of work and initiative taken matter more than the company brand. A student who develops a market penetration strategy for a mid-sized company will outshine one who merely collected data for a multinational. Three critical questions were posed as yardsticks for a successful internship: Do you thoroughly understand the business? Can you articulate the problem and your solution? Did you make at least one critical observation not asked of you? The panelists emphasized that stipend should be the last consideration, and willingness to work for learning builds a resume worth reading.
CVs Should Tell a Story of Impact
When building a curriculum vitae, the discussion steered students away from listing roles and responsibilities toward quantifying impact. Recruiters look for evidence of what changed because of the student's presence. A CV must read as a structured story of contribution, not a job description. The panel also cautioned against over-reliance on artificial intelligence to write CVs, as AI-generated resumes become indistinguishable. Authenticity has become a differentiator, and students were advised to ensure their CV reflects their individual voice and to know every word on it before walking into an interview room.
LinkedIn: Build a Brand, Not Just a Network
The panel devoted considerable attention to LinkedIn's role in shaping professional identity. Simply accumulating connections adds little value; what matters is sharing learning, posting certifications, expressing ideas on industry topics, and engaging meaningfully with professionals and mentors. Recruiters actively review candidates' LinkedIn profiles, and a well-maintained profile serves as a living portfolio, speaking volumes about intellectual curiosity and professional seriousness.
Attitude, Patience, and the Courage to Run Towards Problems
The most memorable advice was distilled into four words: run towards the problem. Whenever a challenge arises, the student who steps forward rather than back learns, grows, and leads. This philosophy separates mediocre careers from great ones. The panel also emphasized patience, noting that early career years are for observation and absorption, not entitlement. Promotions and leadership roles come in time to those who invest deeply in fundamentals first.
SIIB as the First Organisation
The session closed with students reminded that their MBA journey is their first professional assignment. The institute is their first organisation, the faculty their first stakeholders, and every interaction shapes the brand they are building. The call to action was clear: begin making an impact from day one, as habits formed now will define future careers. The panel discussion was part of the SIIB Induction and Orientation Programme 2026, featuring alumni and industry leaders from diverse sectors. SIIB continues to create platforms bridging academic learning and industry expectations, equipping students with the mindset and tools for successful and meaningful careers.
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