Manika Bansal graduated from NSIT in 2004 and joined Tavant Technologies, a Silicon Valley startup firm, working as a software engineer in emerging technologies. She evolved into a business analyst, and currently works in the Loan Markets for Royal Bank of Scotland.

1. What are your functions and responsibilities at this position?

At RBS, I work closely with our London, Singapore and NY businesses to put together the Global Operating Model for various business processes in Loan Markets. For the implementation and support of this model, I collaborate with the Technology team to produce Business Architecture and Requirements Specifications.

2. How can a person add industry value to himself/herself without pursuing higher education?

By constantly striving for excellence - to deliver better quality work every time. It is applicable towards any deliverable - a product or a service. To achieve this one needs to continuously equip oneself with the requisite skills and what better way than from the experts in your field!

3. Opportunities you would recommend students to explore while at N.S.I.T. ?

I strongly encourage students to keep abreast with the latest in their field of study – be it Computer Science, Biotechnology, Electronics or any domain that you envisage yourself in. Research what’s going on in these fields, interact with the experts and get acquainted with firms active in those areas. This not only exposes one to a host of opportunities but also gets one acquainted with some key people. And of course, never let go of that extra-curricular activity that is so dear to you and that adds that extra spark to life!

4. What factors should a person consider when moving to another organization?

Follow your passion. Identify what drives you, what makes you wake up every morning yearning to go to work. If the new firm provides the opportunity, infrastructure, support that enables you to do that one thing that keeps you energized the whole day – go for it! You would not only maximize your performance at the work place but also have an incredible sense of achievement towards the end of the day. The rewards will follow.

5. Do you feel there is a saturation level in the career-path of individuals who do not pursue higher education, and why?

In my opinion, one should pursue higher education only if it adds skills to one’s arsenal and accelerates the growth in the chosen career path. However, if one has successfully learned the ropes as he/she moves up, I see no reason why absence of higher education could be an impediment to one’s career growth.

6. Generally, what are the hot destinations outside India where freshers, not interested in pursuing masters, can expect a favorable response?

Economies of Latin America, China and India would see growth in the coming years. The students could gear up now to pursue opportunities in these regions in the coming years.

7. What do you do when you are not at work to escape monotonicity?

Travel – it does wonders to my creativity.

8. Please feel free to provide any additional information here.

There is always an upside to a downside. In the current economic conditions – market disruption, there are opportunities. The wise would sense them and the adequately equipped would seize them. So be on the look out!

9. What is your message to the young and creative students in campus?

Make excellence a habit and not an event. The competitive world eventually rewards meritocracy.