I am profoundly grateful to my seniors, friends, and professors at NIT Warangal who have generously supported me in securing the DAAD WISE (German Academic Exchange Service) Working Internship in Science and Engineering, which entails a research project at the University of Cologne spanning two months in Germany.
Allow me to encapsulate the essence of my learnings with the anecdote titled " 🌟 90/10 Contribution":
1. Embrace the act of reaching out to others, as they are invariably willing to extend their assistance. 🙋♂️
2. Embrace the lessons from both favorable and adverse experiences, persistently striving for future opportunities.
My journey commenced in August 2023 during the internship drive, with the initial visit by ITC Limited as part of the KITES program. Despite my earnest efforts, I did not secure the position, leading me to reflect on the importance of interview preparation and understanding the interviewer's perspective. Seeking guidance, I reached out to Pranav Bhaiyya, whose invaluable advice resonated with me: "Keep working hard; you never know what awaits you." Subsequently, I pursued an interview with ExxonMobil, aligning my projects with their objectives on carbon sequestration, yet fell short during the initial screening. Undeterred, I attended a talk by our senior, Varun Tallam, whose passion for chemical engineering left a lasting impression. Inspired, I sought advice on the DAAD WISE scholarship process, ultimately approaching Prof.shirish sonawane sir for assistance in securing a German host professors approval. Despite initial setbacks in securing a response from foreign professors, Prof. Schmidt, with Prof.shirish sonawane sir's reference, provided an opportunity contingent upon a research proposal outlining my interests and contributions. It was here that my knowledge of nanoparticles, imparted by Prof.Ramya Araga mam, proved instrumental in securing Prof. Anette Schmidth's approval.
The unwavering support extended by Prof. Praveen sir, Prof. Venkata Suresh Patnaikuni sir, and Prof. Venu Vinod sir, along with invaluable guidance from my senior Varun Tallam, paved the way for my selection in the DAAD WISE program. Amidst these endeavors, I encountered setbacks, including an unsuccessful interview with AB InBev in the initial screening despite a better performance from my side which I believe. This served as motivation to excel in the GATE examination, culminating in securing All India Rank 30. In retrospect, the words of senior Pranav materialized into reality, emphasizing the profound impact of mentorship and support in shaping my journey.
Moving forward, I remain committed to learning from my experiences, rectifying mistakes, and expressing gratitude for the immeasurable support received. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Varun Tallam for his invaluable time and guidance throughout this journey.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch vom Lack- und Druckfarbenverband und viel Erfolg! :-)