From Classroom To Conference Room: My First Job Journey                       

The journey from a college class to a corporate room is filled with challenges, excitement, and a plethora of learning experiences. As a B.Com(Honours) graduate, my first job as a Digital Marketing Coordinator in a software company turned out to be quite a spectacle. It turned out to be an adventure that tested my resilience, versatility, and ability to adapt quickly to new surroundings. Now that I’ve completed a month in my new role, I am eager to share my experience- an experience that began with confusion and exhaustion but turned into a rewarding experience filled with growth, support, and learning.

From Management to Software

Coming from a different background, I knew a lot about Accounting Principles, Finance, and Business Laws. But, when I joined Paanduv Applications, I immediately realized how it’s a completely different dimension I am stepping into. I did a lot of prep work going through recruiting, but most were about my role and very little on learning the ins and outs about their products/services. I did not realize the extent of what I was getting myself into until after my interview. I felt the learning curve was steep as I had never heard about CFD, additive manufacturing, and software solutions. The first couple of weeks were especially tough. Dreamed of writing marketing plans and making branding content, publishing it in different places, and in parallel learning some technical stuff about the software industry. Given my management experience, I did have some context about what a business is looking for in general, but specific to software marketing — well that was not something you could pick up easily. I remember questioning myself—how could I market something I knew so little about? There were moments when I felt completely out of my depth, unsure of how to navigate this new world.

The Turning Point: A Supportive Work Culture

I am happy to work for an organization that nurtures its employees and follows a healthy work environment. At 5 pm we have a one-hour of unwind time where me and my teammates play chess or some UNO set. That may sound minor, but that time has turned into one of the highlights of my day. It is a clear message that the company views our mental well-being as equally important to bring productivity. This one-of-the-hour relaxation each day not only turned my friends but served as a channel to de-stress after putting in rigorous learning and working hours.

That ecosystem of work and rest has helped reshape the way I think. It was a reminder that work is not always about satisfying deadlines and getting it done — it can also be spent savoring the ride, connecting with others in meaningful ways, & cultivating an environment of belonging.

A Month In: Reflecting on Growth

So here I am, one month later from when this all began, and in hindsight the growth that has come about over time is easy to see reflecting on those original weeks of insecurity. I no longer find myself completely lost in conversations about AM PravaH, computational physics, or building a brand identity. No, instead I've created a wonder about how really our items and administrations work. It taught me how to get familiar with the lingo of different industries and blend that into my marketing approach.

A very great achievement for me has been learning the overall positioning of our software and how we present it to the market. Initially, the challenge was what to post and how would I present company solutions to prospects. With guidance from my team and a steadfast ability to learn through trial & error, I have cultivated content that speaks beautifully with our audience. I even have positive comments from my supervisors and this has given me more confidence.

Looking Forward: Excited for What’s Next

I think the future will be interesting. So much more to learn and I am so excited for the journey! I am thankful for the tremendous amount of support I have been given by my co-workers, mentorship, and a workplace culture that has made this transition surprisingly easy.

I take pride in my growth too, going from lost in technical jargon to contributing positively to the team. Though I know there will be other challenges to come, now I have a few more things in my toolkit that enable me to face them. The journey from the classroom to the conference room has marked the beginning of a whole new era for me—one filled with new challenges, learning, and growth. I learned through this experience that growth can be found where one least expects it. It has taught me that no matter how foreign of an environment you are put in outside your comfort zone if the right support is available to our constant openness and need for growth/learning/patience — we can adjust. That, arguably, is the most valuable lesson of all.

                                                                                              Kashish Sambhwani (Digital Marketing Coordinator) at Paanduv Applications