Anuj started his career with SRIJAN (NGO) based in Delhi. He was responsible for driving inclusive growth in rural areas through livelihood generation and capacity building thereby creating impact through development at grass root level.
After a short stint, he came back to his hometown- Indore and met one of his mentors which took him to his original passion of teaching at Globalizers. He started with Quantitative Aptitude classes for GRE and GMAT there and eventually started his own venture – OPTIMUS ( Educational Institute for CAT Preparation).
He is now involved in counseling, mentoring and training for various entrance exams especially CAT and business development. He engages with students across different age groups and backgrounds to educate and inspire them in choosing their career path. He adapts different teaching strategies and methodologies to meet diverse learning needs of the larger group.
He firmly believes that purpose is not what you do for money, it’s what you do with all the love you have in your heart which for him is shaping the future of students through education.
Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/anuj-bansal-1a939816/?trk=contact-info
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/share/1AMgLFSu6f/
Q. Tell us about your School and College before you came to IIFM. How was your experience there? And how did IIFM happen?
A. I completed my schooling from NDPS, Indore. I enjoyed studying, especially Maths. My School had some great teachers who made classes engaging and exciting thereby creating a good balance of academics and enjoyment.
Looking back, school gave me more than just education- values, ethics and morals which made strong foundation for the future.
I pursued my Bachelor of Engineering at MIT Indore in Computer Science. I was an academically oriented student and always had a great curiosity for learning. Enjoyed making assignments and engaging with teachers, seniors and batch mates which led to many learnings. At that point in time, I was not interested much in continuing my career in coding (technical part) and hence decided to go for MBA, started preparing for CAT, scored 90 percentile and after all strategic discussions with teachers and seniors chose IIFM 🙂
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. My time at IIFM was very enriching and full of learning with deep engagement in academics, presentations and culture of working with a group. Enjoyed my first hostel life- living with people from diverse backgrounds and their late night escapades and study sessions during exams!
IIFM made me learn a lot of skills and developed me as a person. I was lucky to have amazing teachers, classmates and alumni here.
Everyone from faculties to my classmates knew about my interest in working with a NGO. So it was wonderful to get a chance to work with SRIJAN, where I had one of my most rewarding experience as I stepped out of my comfort zone and contributed my best.
While giving presentations and engagements at SRIJAN, I introspected and discovered my passion for teaching which slowly led to my own venture ‘OPTIMUS’.
Every experience has reinforced my commitment to teaching and shaped me into a more empathetic and effective educator. I have grown not just in my teaching methods but also in understanding how to connect with students and adapt different learning styles. And the journey so fas has been fantastic.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. I realized how to live and enjoy a minimalistic life while working at SRIJAN and discovered the things that are extremely important to me. It was sheer joy to see the warmth and purity of heart in the villagers and their healthy lifestyle.
My journey here was short as some health issues of my parents and the needs of my family triggered this decision. The importance of family governs lot of your decisions in life.
I then started teaching and thereafter started my own educational center. Confidence and belief in yourself is your key strength to start a business.
Being Optimistic, Ambitious, Passionate, Persistent and consistent in life constantly strives you.
Q. How has been your experience in your current Organization? What all areas have you been working here?
A. My experience has been very satisfying, even educating for myself. Running the business has made me grow professionally, expand my skills and develop confidence. It has been fulfilling to see the impact of my efforts on the students. I truly enjoy running my teaching venture, it never feels tiresome as I am very passionate about it. I am grateful to have pursued a path that aligns with my passion. There is a lot of life, energy and positive vibes emerging from students having a fortifying effect.
My areas of working includes up-skilling, counseling, mentoring students, understanding their problems and psychology to help them accordingly. I consistenly work in building specific strategies for students while teaching for CAT and converting the best B-School through intensive training and preparation.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. I still remember the first day when I started teaching for GRE, it was magical…it gave me immense satisfaction and happiness. I had the feeling and motivation to do this every day, after taking my first class.
Most satisfying part in my career is to do things on my own when i started my own center without seeking much help from others. The feeling of being less dependent and self development and not giving up despite all adversities is the best feeling at the end of the day.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. IIFM helped immensely in applying knowledge and learnings in the real world scenarios and situations.
Game theory- Playing with children and thereby establishing better communication with villagers. Still remember the learnings from Rekha Madam, reading gestures and people skills.
IIFM also taught me presentation and teaching skills. Assignments played an integral role in my teaching venture.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles ?
A. My mentor Rachit Sir not only for his guidance during CAT preparation but also choosing the best college(IIFM) and then my career planning in motivating and boosting me to start my own business.
Advice– Explore the dimension of becoming an Entrepreneur. It can be your path for growth, impact and independence. Lot of people have skills and talent but they are risk averse never taking the first step.
Think about whether you want to earn more exponentially, switch sector if needed, follow your passion and utilize your inherent and acquired skills and mould them wisely.
Dont wait until everything is perfect, start small, learn from experience and evolve.
For students, this is the best time to experiment as they have lesser responsibilities and more flexibility to take risks, learn quickly and build something meaningful. They can use college resources,network with mentors and should never be afraid of failure.
For the working IIFM’ites, experience is the most valuable asset. It is never too late to start something of your own. Believe in yourself.
Some key points which might be helpful to start your business:
a) Idea Generation:
Identify your passion, Strength and skills. Can you create ‘New Product’ for solving a problem. Read & Research Global Markets. Look beyond at the emerging needs, future scope, like invested today and higher returns in future.
b) Collecting Funds:
Start small, self financing, use assets, explore friends/relatives, bank loans, investors, government funding and grants .
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. IIFM gave me many amazing memories and experiences starting from my first hostel life, waking up to a beautiful ‘Green Hill Campus’, fresh air, good food, going to teachers for their guidance and engage in healthy discussions with them. Traveling to places to meet alumni for their experiences, networking and career planning.
Thrill before exams specially in first semester- continuous five papers with full syllabus! Forming deep friendships and enjoying time with them. Talking to seniors, collecting previous year question papers and test papers. And constant support from my room partner 🙂
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. Collective of people, each of them played a crucial role at different stages of my life. Senior peers for their experience sharing and constant learnings helped me stay grounded; Khagendra for his backing, helping hand and fostering my growth and other friends for laughter, happiness and quality time.
Alumni offered real world perspectives and were mentors who generated various perspectives for goal clarity and long term planning giving five years and ten years tunnel vision. Thought provoking questions and discussions made me introspect, think about opening an NGO -whether to contribute to a social cause or earn money!
Seniors and Alumni helped me avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions and some of them like Vivek(PFM 13) and Ram Sir(PFM 13), went out of their way to offer advice and encouragement.
Teachers- for constant guidance and support. Chinmaya S Rathore Sir, Dharni Sir, Rekha Madam, Omprakash Sir & Amitabh Pandey Sir were always there.
Q.The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. Friends have been an immediate support system- gave me emotional strength, honest feedback and a sense of belonging.
Nitish Bharadwaj,much more than a friend, who has been like a family and an elder brother to me.
Rajat Pratap Singh, who took initiatives and made efforts for getting me placed in NGO.
Deepak Goyal, a topper and Intelligent classmate providing solutions to all academic problems.
Anirudh Kumar, with his delivery and clarity of thoughts and ideas from day one kept inspiring and giving boosters to me.
Second Row: Anuj, Bhavesh ( Left To Right)
Q. As an alumni, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. Find out your purpose of life and add meaning to it. Look for what motivates you and makes you happy. Discover who and what is most important for you. Know yourself. You need to have answers to move in the right direction.
In academics, go through it well before every class, read all the subjects, cover the syllabus, ask questions about importance of subjects and their applications from faculties.
Actively do lot of assignments, presentations.
Develop Goal clarity and choose your electives wisely. Talk with seniors and teachers about the two internships. Gain understanding of the stream in which you want to work. Try working as an intern in the company you desire to for getting a feel. Study the placement report of previous years, gather understanding of various sectors and try to get the best placement.
Participate in clubs, cells, activities, conclaves and indulge in sports activities which are equally important along with academics for physical fitness and mental wellbeing . Work a lot on your self-development, weaknesses and morals in life.
Lastly, enjoy your golden period of college life.
Q. What would be your advise for recent graduates who look for changing their sector after working for couple of years?
A. To start with, it should not be considered a problem even after working for a couple of years. Identify skills that are transferable, gain knowledge about the new sector and do some relevant Certification Courses.
Your intent and willingness would play a crucial role. Figure out reason for leaving the sector.
Focus on your priorities whether it is salary or the other sector or different kind of work that you want to do. Don’t over-think, just act. I have seen lot of my friends doing the same. Just decide and put all you have into it.
Q. What is your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. My typical day at work is exciting. Starts with reviewing the schedule in the morning, conducting main classes and doubt sessions. Counseling of new and existing students. Working on ideas for business expansion and diversification and wrapping up the day with noting the tasks to be done for the next day.
When on Break, I like to explore and travel to new places, understand different cultures and ways of living. I love visiting places of natural beauty like mountains. Take a simple walk, get some fresh air in morning and explore. I would prefer to live the moment more than capturing it. Also,I like solo traveling for peace.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. Weekends are not lazy; am more of a workaholic person- extra classes, doubt-clearing sessions and tests majorly for the first halves there! My hobbies include cooking, gardening, spending time with children, discussing new english words with my mother and supporting her in household work.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. I will name few from my batch of PFM 14: Budh Prakash Kanoujia, Khagendra Kumar, Shashank Deora, Parag Bhide and Tejas Kekre.