An IT Student’s Journey from Industrial Insight to Global Opportunities
A third-year IT student, Arjun. Fuelled by dreams of landing a job in a prestigious IT company. His days were a medley of coding marathons, group projects, and endless mock interviews. Despite his diligence, a sliver of doubt always crept in, whispering, What if you don’t make it?
One chilly December morning, Arjun’s college announced an industrial trip. The itinerary included visits to a renowned manufacturing plant and a session with a visa consultant. Most students groaned at the thought of spending their weekend in a factory, but Arjun saw it as an opportunity—perhaps an unconventional one—to learn something new.
The bus ride to the industrial plant was lively, with students chattering about everything but their studies. Arjun sat by the window, headphones in, watching the cityscape morph into sprawling fields and industrial zones. When they finally arrived, the group was greeted by a towering building adorned with the company’s logo. It was an Industrial Boiler Manufacturing hub known for its state-of-the-art fans and pumps, essential components in many IT cooling systems and other applications.
The tour began with a brief introduction from the plant manager, a burly man named Mr. Khanna. He spoke with a mix of authority and enthusiasm, explaining how industrial fans and pumps played critical roles in industries ranging from IT to agriculture.
“This,” Mr. Khanna said, pointing to a massive centrifugal fan, “is what keeps data centers running. Without these, your beloved internet might just overheat and vanish.”
Arjun’s curiosity was piqued. He had never considered the physical infrastructure behind the virtual world he was so passionate about. The tour continued through assembly lines, testing chambers, and finally, the control room—a dimly lit space filled with monitors displaying real-time data. Here, Arjun’s eyes lit up as he recognized familiar programming languages and algorithms managing the machinery.
“Do you see that?” Mr. Khanna asked, pointing to a screen. “The entire system is automated and monitored remotely. We’re always looking for IT professionals who can optimize our processes.”
For the first time, Arjun saw a tangible connection between his skills and the plywood manufacturer industrial world. It wasn’t just about apps and websites; it was about creating solutions that powered industries.
As the tour concluded, the students were ushered into a conference room where refreshments awaited. Arjun grabbed a cup of tea and overheard a conversation between Mr. Khanna and a woman who had just arrived. She was introduced as Priya Mehta, a visa consultant who had been invited to guide the students on opportunities abroad.
“Hello, students,” Priya began, her voice calm yet commanding. “I’m here to talk to you about exploring global opportunities. Many of you dream of working in top IT firms, and often, these companies have offices worldwide. But breaking into the international market requires more than just technical skills.”
Arjun listened intently as Priya outlined the steps to apply for jobs abroad, the importance of tailoring resumes, and the nuances of visa applications. What struck him most was her emphasis on adaptability.
“Industries abroad value individuals who can bridge gaps,” she said, “not just between technology and business but also between cultures.”
After her talk, students crowded around her, bombarding her with questions. She had cold teeth during the conversation and it strikes it to her like she will be needing a dentist near by. 1Arjun waited patiently until the crowd thinned. When his turn came, he introduced himself and asked, “How can someone like me, with no international exposure, stand out to global companies?”
Priya’s eyes sparkled. “Good question,” she said. “Start by expanding your perspective. Today, you learned how your IT skills can apply to industrial systems, right? That’s the kind of mindset companies value. They don’t just want coders; they want problem-solvers who can think across domains.”
Her words resonated deeply. Arjun realized he had been confining his aspirations to a narrow path. That evening, on the ride back to campus, he couldn’t stop thinking about the industrial fans and pumps, the automation systems, and Priya’s advice.
Over the next few weeks, Arjun threw himself into research. He explored case studies on IT solutions in manufacturing, enrolled in a short course on industrial IoT, and even started a blog to document his learning. He reached out to Priya for further guidance, and she helped him refine his resume to highlight his multidisciplinary approach.
Months later, Arjun’s efforts bore fruit. He received an interview call from a multinational company that specialized in both IT and industrial automation. During the interview, he spoke passionately about his industrial trip and how it had shifted his perspective. He explained how he could leverage his IT skills to optimize industrial processes, citing specific examples from his research.
The panel was impressed. “We’re looking for someone who understands both worlds,” one of the interviewers said. “Welcome aboard, Arjun.”
When Arjun shared the news with Priya, she replied with a simple message: “This is just the beginning. Keep bridging gaps.”