It was a typical KGPian afternoon in April. The last day of the easiest and most peaceful semester of our lives at KGP, the 4th semester. Basically, we had finished with our exams and preparing for the journey back home. I found myself in Akki's room one evening playing FIFA. After 4 straight defeats, 3 of which were goalless, I felt a bit low. Sensing the oppportunity Akki played his card to cheer me up, "Hey ! Dont worry... Intern mei tu macha dega :D ". Little did he knew, he touched my weak nerve, and made me gloomier and darker.
The fight for intern was now on...
May 2016 :
I sat at my home and could feel the pressure of intern piling up. It was not easy to behave relaxed, but I tried to stay away from nonsenses. GeeksForGeeks had become a demi-god creation in the batch of people with superior levels of intelligence. And here I was, still unaware of my career path ahead. There was a motivation of off-campus intern on some sparse occasions while some days were dark. But I held my nerve and moved on. I had to relax.... I relaxed.
June 2016 :
This month found me in KGP, the scene of action after a few weeks. I felt the competitive air quite intensely once here and that made the alarms go off. I started coding and revising old stuff. But basically all the time, I was fighting within. To be or not to be... To research or to industry-fy. I had this constant rebel within me which served no good. But I had to move on some track. I started off for both. I started coding for my industry aspirations and started reading papers and publications of profs I was targetting for a research based intern. It was a terrible one month that flew. All I figured out in the end was that I was lagging behind steeply as compared to my batchmates for an industry intern and I had not a very commendable CG to apply for a premier college for research. So basically, I had closed all paths for myself. This was the harsh reality. I had to face it. But I would not fall down to petty and cheap methods to getting success by mugging up stuff somewhere. I had confidence within me.
" I had the knowledge, I had the skill.
Even if I didn't specifically prepare (or rather mug), I had the confidence to move ahead still. "
I guess that's what is important in the end.
Contrary to the gloomer side of the subject matter, the month ended with me being in Germany though. :P
July 2016 :
I was in Germany. There was no reason to be tense and bring upon the subject of intern on this holy and pious trip (:P). I enjoyed the week there and had enough experiences for quite some time. I missed my international flight. Was alone in Delhi Airport for a day. Travelled alone to Frankfurt. Travelled alone from Frankfurt to Leipzig (via train bitch) and alone, post midnight, to my hotel. This incident made me more confident in myself and played a huge role in reaffirming my trust in myself. I was ready to risk it. If it wasn't for me to get a cool Day 1 intern, I was ready to face the consequences. I will not succumb to mediocrity and dishonour. I was filled with ecstacy and a thrill to perform. I had to perform.
Soon, the semester started. I found myself back in KGP, with trained and well groomed batchies. There was thrill as companies started pouring in. I saw MS, GS, Tower, AmEx and others and I couldn't help applying. But I had brought with me, from my 2 months back home, confidence and a will to take risks. I was now taking risks. I had mentally shortlisted Microsoft as the only company I could sustain in my ego from those on Day 1 ( I know this is weird, but yeah. I couldn't have been happy with others... ). I carefully flunked the GS paper and the DE Shaw paper got flunked accidently. So I was even. I was shortlisted only for Microsoft for the group fly after I solved 2 questions (Though I believed I had solved all 3. One test case is all that matters sometimes...:P).
Day 0 :
Visited the Microsoft PPT and couldn't have been more happy with my decision. Microsoft was my best chance for Day 1 (It was my only chance though. :P ) and I wanted to make the most out of it. In the group fly, I solved a question and provided an algorithm for the second and to my amazement, was shortlisted for interview besides 35 people on Day 1. I checked the clock, it was 00:20 am on the 6th of August. I had to report for the interview at 6 am on the same date. I loved my sleep. But something needs to be lost to attain something. I slept only for 4-ish hours. :(
Day 1 (Pre-interview) :
Waking up at 5 am reminded me of constant struggles I indulged in during the past 2 years for health and fitness. This struggle was no less. I got ready in formals, with a RED tie (which soon became popular) and my coat (which was vestigial, ofcourse) and reached the interview control room by 6 am. We sat there hopelessly till 7 am and then there was a roll call and some people were called for interviews after 7:30 am. Soon people began disappearing and reappearing. They went with tense faces and returned with mixed emotions. In the words of a worldly saint free from desires, this scene could've been compared with a circus. I sat there soon indulging deep in thought and moving away from material pride. It was soon 9 am... and then 10 and 11. But I was still not called for my interview. I sat in a place and observed people. People with emotions, people with aspirations and people with purpose. I lamented on this shallow being of humans and started becoming more melancholy and philosophical. I had to prevent that to enter my selfish intern-seeking body... But I can't. It was impossible to separate 2 miscible fluids in the air of the mental ether. I was gloomy, I was philosophical, I was hungry. No good signs for an interview. I ate some snacks and hoped for ATLEAST an interview. Finally it was at 11:30, that I got my turn. Broken with fatigue and hunger, I still made my way to the interview room. I found myself in. I knew I won't have a second chance...
Day 1 (The interviews) :
I found myself infront on the interviewer. After greeting and basic conversation about the room and environment, he glanced at my resume. He asked about my task at KRSSG which I explained to him in a most delicate way. He looked satisfied and happy. He asked me further steps I intend to take in my role at KRSSG which I explained to him clearly. Impressed with my frank and honest attitude, he asked me a question on graphs. It was incredibly easy. I told him an algorithm straight away and he asked me to write the code on paper. I was stunned. I had not practised this. I started rambling code on the paper and it looked all unorganised and dirty. He asked me to re-write it clearly. I carefully copied my code in a decent manner and he read it. There was a bug there. I cleared it. And then there were more... and more. I felt ashamed as I had brandished ACM ICPC on my resume. He asked me to write a test function to check if my code works. I wrote it fine enough and he concluded the interview. I was not sure how it went. I had screwed it up badly. I had to wait. I resolved in my mind that I will not let the opportunity slip if I'm selected further.
I was selected further...
Round 2 found me facing another interviewer who asked for my resume again. He glanced through it and asked some questions on it. Next I had to face another written question. I immediately figured out a way to do it. I asked follow-up questions and I proceeded to writing the code. I started writing it on paper and wrote it with relative ease. He followed up with more questions on heaps, priority queues and scheduler systems. He asked me OOP concepts like Polymorphism, Operator Overloading (with code) and resemblance of some concepts with the real world. He made to code one or two more questions and I did them with increasing confidence. I was now sure that I have now been greased by practice and could solve and write whatever I am asked to. I answered all his questions and I think he looked satisfied. I came out. Whatever the result may be, I had discovered my confident self from within. Even if I'm not selected now, I knew, I could do something great with my life. I was happy and content.
Then a recruiter came forward to me and asked me to return back after lunch for the 3rd round. I was overwhelmed. I was filled with joy that I still had a chance. I came hurtling down and decided to return to my hall. But I met Akki, Vishal and Goel at Subway. They all had got offers. Akki and Vishal from Goldman Sachs. Goel from Microsoft. I told Goel about my interview. He told me to hold my nerve as this could be the final deciding interview and be true and just to your self, just as PP Akash told me during my melancholy hits that morning. (I'm indebted to both for bringing out the confident self within me... :) ). I was ready for the next round.
Round 3. This was easy. There were 2 questions. One on linked lists and the other on 2-D arrays and I solved then both with rapid speed. The interviewer was happy and asked me general HR questions like Why Microsoft etc... I answered whatever came from within and expressed my desire in the most outspoken fashion. He looked content and asked me if I had some questions for him. I had many. I asked all of them. He answered them profusely for about 15-20 minutes. I was content and ended the interview. I was getting optimistic vibes.
I came out and washed my face. I approached the placecom incharge and asked her to check my status. She went in and came out with a message of greatest happiness magnitude.
" I was selected for IDC. "
I felt accomplished.
I felt responsible.
It felt good.
I came down the stairs and met Goel, Vishal, Sahil, Vaishal and Akki again in Subway. All had offers. Sahil and Vaishal got offers from DEShah Shaw. They will live together happily, again. I called my mom, my dad and started getting calls. Someone had posted on my timeline. It was a beautiful moment. I reached my hall and was congratulated by all I met. I logged on to fb and there were congratulatory messages and posts. It was great. Words can't hold the emotional sanctity of those moments. They got saved forever somewhere in the confusing paths of the mind maze only to be unravelled sometimes later.
But I wasn't that happy. I was waiting for an official confirmation. I waited till 7 pm. Then came the big moment. The results of Day 1. That was it. The end of a struggle... Beginning of a new chapter.
But more than anything I learnt, you just have to keep faith in the divine and most importantly in your own self. "Faith can move mountains..." I realized that.
Then it was all pomp. We dined together (MS Hall wale) at MS Hall canteen. Played games. Went for a walk. Slept a deep and relaxed sleep for quite some time.
There was only one regret - MS is not a word in my dictionary anymore. It is either MS (Microsoft) or MS Hall... :P
Thus was my experience for Microsoft Intern selection process. Now I'm open to deliver newer and more tested and tried funda to keep up with my reputation as "Funda God" :P.
//
I wish all my friends who got selected on Day 1, heartiest congratulations.
To all those who didn't, Best wishes ! You'll all certainly get to beautiful places too...
Thanks,
To the placecoms, especially Apoorva and Ankit, from the core of my heart. I admire your selfless dedication to help us attain our dreams.
To Microsoft, for selecting me, ofcourse.
To my parents for being so helpful and allowing me to apply in whatever way and company I want. I still recall my conversation with my mother when I asked what company or path to take when she said, " Just ensure you are happy !! ".
To my seniors, for all the guidance and support.
To all my friends, for their constant motivation and support.
To Vaibhav Agarwal, who didn't let Vaibhav Agarwal down.
To God, to make all this happen.
Finally the awaited statement :
Summers 2017 at Microsoft.
#peace_for_now
#challenges_ahead
#faith_within
#faith_throughout
***************************END of Article****************************
The fight for intern was now on...
May 2016 :
I sat at my home and could feel the pressure of intern piling up. It was not easy to behave relaxed, but I tried to stay away from nonsenses. GeeksForGeeks had become a demi-god creation in the batch of people with superior levels of intelligence. And here I was, still unaware of my career path ahead. There was a motivation of off-campus intern on some sparse occasions while some days were dark. But I held my nerve and moved on. I had to relax.... I relaxed.
June 2016 :
This month found me in KGP, the scene of action after a few weeks. I felt the competitive air quite intensely once here and that made the alarms go off. I started coding and revising old stuff. But basically all the time, I was fighting within. To be or not to be... To research or to industry-fy. I had this constant rebel within me which served no good. But I had to move on some track. I started off for both. I started coding for my industry aspirations and started reading papers and publications of profs I was targetting for a research based intern. It was a terrible one month that flew. All I figured out in the end was that I was lagging behind steeply as compared to my batchmates for an industry intern and I had not a very commendable CG to apply for a premier college for research. So basically, I had closed all paths for myself. This was the harsh reality. I had to face it. But I would not fall down to petty and cheap methods to getting success by mugging up stuff somewhere. I had confidence within me.
" I had the knowledge, I had the skill.
Even if I didn't specifically prepare (or rather mug), I had the confidence to move ahead still. "
I guess that's what is important in the end.
Contrary to the gloomer side of the subject matter, the month ended with me being in Germany though. :P
July 2016 :
I was in Germany. There was no reason to be tense and bring upon the subject of intern on this holy and pious trip (:P). I enjoyed the week there and had enough experiences for quite some time. I missed my international flight. Was alone in Delhi Airport for a day. Travelled alone to Frankfurt. Travelled alone from Frankfurt to Leipzig (via train bitch) and alone, post midnight, to my hotel. This incident made me more confident in myself and played a huge role in reaffirming my trust in myself. I was ready to risk it. If it wasn't for me to get a cool Day 1 intern, I was ready to face the consequences. I will not succumb to mediocrity and dishonour. I was filled with ecstacy and a thrill to perform. I had to perform.
Soon, the semester started. I found myself back in KGP, with trained and well groomed batchies. There was thrill as companies started pouring in. I saw MS, GS, Tower, AmEx and others and I couldn't help applying. But I had brought with me, from my 2 months back home, confidence and a will to take risks. I was now taking risks. I had mentally shortlisted Microsoft as the only company I could sustain in my ego from those on Day 1 ( I know this is weird, but yeah. I couldn't have been happy with others... ). I carefully flunked the GS paper and the DE Shaw paper got flunked accidently. So I was even. I was shortlisted only for Microsoft for the group fly after I solved 2 questions (Though I believed I had solved all 3. One test case is all that matters sometimes...:P).
Day 0 :
Visited the Microsoft PPT and couldn't have been more happy with my decision. Microsoft was my best chance for Day 1 (It was my only chance though. :P ) and I wanted to make the most out of it. In the group fly, I solved a question and provided an algorithm for the second and to my amazement, was shortlisted for interview besides 35 people on Day 1. I checked the clock, it was 00:20 am on the 6th of August. I had to report for the interview at 6 am on the same date. I loved my sleep. But something needs to be lost to attain something. I slept only for 4-ish hours. :(
Day 1 (Pre-interview) :
Waking up at 5 am reminded me of constant struggles I indulged in during the past 2 years for health and fitness. This struggle was no less. I got ready in formals, with a RED tie (which soon became popular) and my coat (which was vestigial, ofcourse) and reached the interview control room by 6 am. We sat there hopelessly till 7 am and then there was a roll call and some people were called for interviews after 7:30 am. Soon people began disappearing and reappearing. They went with tense faces and returned with mixed emotions. In the words of a worldly saint free from desires, this scene could've been compared with a circus. I sat there soon indulging deep in thought and moving away from material pride. It was soon 9 am... and then 10 and 11. But I was still not called for my interview. I sat in a place and observed people. People with emotions, people with aspirations and people with purpose. I lamented on this shallow being of humans and started becoming more melancholy and philosophical. I had to prevent that to enter my selfish intern-seeking body... But I can't. It was impossible to separate 2 miscible fluids in the air of the mental ether. I was gloomy, I was philosophical, I was hungry. No good signs for an interview. I ate some snacks and hoped for ATLEAST an interview. Finally it was at 11:30, that I got my turn. Broken with fatigue and hunger, I still made my way to the interview room. I found myself in. I knew I won't have a second chance...
Day 1 (The interviews) :
I found myself infront on the interviewer. After greeting and basic conversation about the room and environment, he glanced at my resume. He asked about my task at KRSSG which I explained to him in a most delicate way. He looked satisfied and happy. He asked me further steps I intend to take in my role at KRSSG which I explained to him clearly. Impressed with my frank and honest attitude, he asked me a question on graphs. It was incredibly easy. I told him an algorithm straight away and he asked me to write the code on paper. I was stunned. I had not practised this. I started rambling code on the paper and it looked all unorganised and dirty. He asked me to re-write it clearly. I carefully copied my code in a decent manner and he read it. There was a bug there. I cleared it. And then there were more... and more. I felt ashamed as I had brandished ACM ICPC on my resume. He asked me to write a test function to check if my code works. I wrote it fine enough and he concluded the interview. I was not sure how it went. I had screwed it up badly. I had to wait. I resolved in my mind that I will not let the opportunity slip if I'm selected further.
I was selected further...
Round 2 found me facing another interviewer who asked for my resume again. He glanced through it and asked some questions on it. Next I had to face another written question. I immediately figured out a way to do it. I asked follow-up questions and I proceeded to writing the code. I started writing it on paper and wrote it with relative ease. He followed up with more questions on heaps, priority queues and scheduler systems. He asked me OOP concepts like Polymorphism, Operator Overloading (with code) and resemblance of some concepts with the real world. He made to code one or two more questions and I did them with increasing confidence. I was now sure that I have now been greased by practice and could solve and write whatever I am asked to. I answered all his questions and I think he looked satisfied. I came out. Whatever the result may be, I had discovered my confident self from within. Even if I'm not selected now, I knew, I could do something great with my life. I was happy and content.
Then a recruiter came forward to me and asked me to return back after lunch for the 3rd round. I was overwhelmed. I was filled with joy that I still had a chance. I came hurtling down and decided to return to my hall. But I met Akki, Vishal and Goel at Subway. They all had got offers. Akki and Vishal from Goldman Sachs. Goel from Microsoft. I told Goel about my interview. He told me to hold my nerve as this could be the final deciding interview and be true and just to your self, just as PP Akash told me during my melancholy hits that morning. (I'm indebted to both for bringing out the confident self within me... :) ). I was ready for the next round.
Round 3. This was easy. There were 2 questions. One on linked lists and the other on 2-D arrays and I solved then both with rapid speed. The interviewer was happy and asked me general HR questions like Why Microsoft etc... I answered whatever came from within and expressed my desire in the most outspoken fashion. He looked content and asked me if I had some questions for him. I had many. I asked all of them. He answered them profusely for about 15-20 minutes. I was content and ended the interview. I was getting optimistic vibes.
I came out and washed my face. I approached the placecom incharge and asked her to check my status. She went in and came out with a message of greatest happiness magnitude.
" I was selected for IDC. "
I felt accomplished.
I felt responsible.
It felt good.
I came down the stairs and met Goel, Vishal, Sahil, Vaishal and Akki again in Subway. All had offers. Sahil and Vaishal got offers from DE
But I wasn't that happy. I was waiting for an official confirmation. I waited till 7 pm. Then came the big moment. The results of Day 1. That was it. The end of a struggle... Beginning of a new chapter.
But more than anything I learnt, you just have to keep faith in the divine and most importantly in your own self. "Faith can move mountains..." I realized that.
Then it was all pomp. We dined together (MS Hall wale) at MS Hall canteen. Played games. Went for a walk. Slept a deep and relaxed sleep for quite some time.
There was only one regret - MS is not a word in my dictionary anymore. It is either MS (Microsoft) or MS Hall... :P
Thus was my experience for Microsoft Intern selection process. Now I'm open to deliver newer and more tested and tried funda to keep up with my reputation as "Funda God" :P.
//
I wish all my friends who got selected on Day 1, heartiest congratulations.
To all those who didn't, Best wishes ! You'll all certainly get to beautiful places too...
Thanks,
To the placecoms, especially Apoorva and Ankit, from the core of my heart. I admire your selfless dedication to help us attain our dreams.
To Microsoft, for selecting me, ofcourse.
To my parents for being so helpful and allowing me to apply in whatever way and company I want. I still recall my conversation with my mother when I asked what company or path to take when she said, " Just ensure you are happy !! ".
To my seniors, for all the guidance and support.
To all my friends, for their constant motivation and support.
To Vaibhav Agarwal, who didn't let Vaibhav Agarwal down.
To God, to make all this happen.
Finally the awaited statement :
Summers 2017 at Microsoft.
#peace_for_now
#challenges_ahead
#faith_within
#faith_throughout
***************************END of Article****************************
