Saimi Kumar banks on his ‘Best Summer Internship Project’ award-winning experience to make his mark in his chosen career

As the Class Representative of the batch, member of the Student Welfare Committee and Grievances Committee, Saimi Kumar, PGDM Class of 2020 was gaining vital exposure that helped his personal and professional growth. But it was his internship that not only helped him identify his interest in the world of banking but also gain a foothold in the industry. Winning the Best Summer Internship Project award has just been the beginning as he is now making his mark as Deputy Manager, Business Lending Group, ICICI Bank.

Industry interaction initiatives at IMI Bhubaneswar have been consistently robust to help students get valuable exposure. Saimi talks about the MDP programmes and the launch of an incubation centre that helped bridge the gap between the classroom and the corporate world. “I also got Six Sigma Green Belt Certification from KPMG. I also did two short internships with Marico and KPMG that helped me gain insights into the retail industry and                                                                                                   human resources,” he reveals his steps to be industry-ready.

But it was his ‘CRM: A digital tool for improved lead management and business development internship with SBI that turned out to be the game-changing experience for him. Talking about his prestigious award-winning internship project he says, “The project focused on understanding the benefits of CRM in Banks and comparing those used by other banks with SBI. I enjoyed what I was doing and thrived off the energy of those around me. It helped me develop my interest in Banking and zoom in on the career path I wanted to choose.”

Saimi’s project was presented to his industry and college mentors. The organization too appreciated his efforts during the internship and considered his recommendations for implementation. If that wasn’t rewarding enough, he also bagged the Best Summer Internship Project award. “I have to say, your hard work always pays off. Remember, internships are an important part of your MBA journey. You have the opportunity to interact with professionals in a sector, and also put your theoretical learning into practice; give it your best,” he advises.

Now as he has started his journey in the professional world, Saimi can rely on this experience and the overall learning at IMI Bhubaneswar to prove himself. ‘Love what you do, and you will excel at it,’ is the one key takeaway that has stayed with him. “I think IMI Bhubaneswar stands out because it is aware of the expectations of students. It gives students the independence to perform, be industry ready, stay engaged in classroom and campus activities. The responsibility and appreciation for it empowered me to be a confident professional,” he ends on a thoughtful note.