B.Tech IVth year, 2004-2005.  I was having a whale of time. We used to play cricket in college everyday, besides doing many other things (except studying). Those were the best days of my life. I was completely occupied, even to think about my future after engineering. Then, one day in 4th year 2nd semester, news spread around the campus that Satyam is coming for campus interviews. I was very happy and expecting to get placed .

However, after going thru the details, found out the cut off for written test to be 70 % (Forget 70%, i was hovering around the elusive 60% mark). I was not even allowed to take the written test.  All hells broke loose and I was suddenly apprehensive about my future. There were no more campus interviews scheduled @ our college.  What am I going to do ? How the hell am I gonna find a job ? How ??? I was taken over by grief and fear. I started to think of different ways that would save the day for me. But nothing seemed to work. It was all sad and gloomy.

Satyam selected only 3 candidates out of 120 students .  Most of the rest, were going for MS (GRE). Few opted for M.Tech(GATE). I was still undecided on what am I going to do !!  Couple of months down the lane, I graduated out of college with a percentage of just above 60% (Thank god!!). Rather than preparing for an year and attempting for Masters entrance, I thought my best bet would be find a job on priority. I never lost confidence and after struggling for three months,  found a job at a small company in August 2005.

Fast Forward to April 2008 – I joined Amdocs, Pune after leaving Wipro. During induction in Amdocs, we were told that we can pursue MBA as part of highter studies program, from Symbiosis. I had heard this name before! Googled it and found out more info. My interest towards MBA was shooting up. After a few days, when I was speaking to a couple of friends pursuing MBA (one of them from NMIMS and other from MS RAMAIAH), I found out more details on CAT. Instantly, I was intrigued by their success stories and I felt the zeal to go for CAT. Finally, I decided to take CAT 08. However, everything came down crashing after my father’s untimely demise and I had to divert my focus towards many things other than CAT. I was destroyed. I felt GOD did not approve my decision. Done and Dusted, I forgot about CAT.  Time flew away. 

Over to Jan 2009 — Came to know that one of my relatives cracked a plethora of MBA entrance xams including CAT. I was inspired. I felt I can do it as well. This was the push I needed. I discussed with him and my friends about my chances at CAT after gaining 4 years of work exp. Finally with immense optimism  and confidence, here I am preparing for Common Admission Test. 

MISSION CAT HAS BEGUN  !    

Who am I ? —

Madhusudan Deshpande, B.Tech (Comp)

Currently working in  Amdocs, Pune