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Empowering Future Mariners: Insights from the MERI Mentorship Program

Report by Cadet Ankur Anand, Cadet Aryaan Patra and Cadet Sreya V Pillai

 

The MERI Mentorship Programme


INTRODUCTION 

The Mentorship Sessions starting in June of 2024 were a unique opportunity where the esteemed passouts of DMET returned to guide and inspire the next generation of cadets. This program was designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional success, as our experienced alumni shared invaluable insights into the core values that define DMET.


Initiated by the foresight of Shri Eswara Arun Kishore (Roll Number 5020, DMET class of 2001) along with Shri Farhan Aqdus (Roll Number 8657, DMET class of 2022), Shri Kumar Sambhav (Roll Number 8647, DMET class of 2022) and Shri Prashant Kumar (Roll Number 9154, DMET class of 2024), the mentorship program was conducted for the 2020 entry batch cadets to uplift their skills for campus placement interviews through a mock interview program, to build their confidence and improve their communication skills and to provide constructive feedback and guidance on technical and non-technical aspects.


Beyond imparting these essential principles, alumni’s guiding hand provided practical assistance and tailored advice to help current cadets navigate the complexities of placement interviews, ensuring that they were well prepared to launch their careers in the maritime industry with confidence and integrity.


OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME

The primary objectives of this initiative were to:

  • Equip the cadets with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel during their placement interviews.

  • Empower cadets to articulate their thoughts clearly and confidently, crucial for successful interactions in professional settings.

  • Offer comprehensive support on both technical and non-technical aspects, ensuring well-rounded development and readiness for future challenges.


MULTIFACETED BENEFITS

  • The mentorship sessions provided the cadets with knowledge from the best sources in the industry. 

  • The in-depth comprehension of various topics where the cadets had faced difficulties helped them gain a thorough understanding of those subjects.

  • Real-life experience lessons from the mentors helped the cadets acquire a better practical understanding of the themes.

  • Significantly increased confidence levels among cadets during their real interviews, allowing them to present themselves more effectively.

  • Notable enhancement in the cadets' ability to communicate and articulate their technical knowledge with clarity and precision.



FLAWLESS EXECUTION

The execution of the mock interviews involved several key steps to ensure the cadets were thoroughly prepared:

  • Weekly organized sessions with final year cadets to simulate real interview scenarios.

  • Developed a comprehensive framework for the interviews, including a range of potential questions and clear evaluation criteria to assess performance.

  • Delivered tailored feedback to each cadet, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement, along with actionable tips.

  • Assisted cadets in crafting compelling introductions and articulating their technical knowledge with confidence.



CONTRIBUTION OF THE ALUMNI TOWARDS THE MENTORSHIP SESSION 

The response from the DMET alumni community for the mentorship program was overwhelming, with many volunteers committing two hours weekly to conduct practice interviews, exemplifying the strong DMET values. The frameworks and guidelines given made sure the mentors were well-equipped to provide efficient and organized sessions. Their valuable insights and real-world experiences have not only provided the cadets with a deeper understanding of the industry but have also equipped them with the necessary skills to excel.


The contributions of :

  • Shri Arun Kumar Singh (Batch of 1977)

  • Shri Sachin Saurav (Batch of 2021)

  • Shri. Amit Panchal (Batch of 2021)

  • Shri. Arkadeb Chakraborty (Batch of 2021)

  • Shri. Bharadwaj Keerthi Jinagam (Batch of 2021)

  • Shri Siddhant Verma (Batch of 2021)

  • Shri. Amulya Raj Singh (Batch of 2022)

  • Shri. Rajneesh Kumar Singh (Batch of 2022)

  • Shri. Prasun Prabhash (Batch of 2022)

  • Shri. Rhitu Raj (Batch of 2022)

  • Shri. Sumit Das (Class of 2022)

  • Shri Amit Pandey (Batch of 2022)


and all others have been noteworthy, as their dedicated efforts have significantly improved the cadet's confidence and readiness for their future careers. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these DMETians for their dedication to maintaining and demonstrating the values of the DMET culture and extending unwavering support and commitment to the professional growth of our cadets.



FUTURE DIRECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME 

To broaden the advantages of this initiative to 2nd and 3rd-year cadets, the following measures are recommended:


  • Incorporate mock interview sessions into the regular curriculum for junior cadets.

  • Create a repository of recorded mock interviews and feedback sessions for easy access and reference.

  • Encourage alumni to lead workshops and interactive sessions that emphasize interview techniques and professional communication skills.



CONCLUSION

The mentorship session initiative for 2020 entry batch cadets has demonstrated its value in boosting their preparedness for professional interviews. The ongoing support from our DMET alumni community will be crucial in sustaining this effort and extending its benefits to junior cadets, with the alumni's guiding hand playing a vital role. By working together, we can ensure that our cadets are equipped to face their career challenges with confidence and proficiency. Cultivating a robust network of mentorship and guidance, we can enable our cadets to succeed and flourish in their professional paths, thereby enhancing the success and reputation of DMET.


CORE MEMBERS 

  • Shri.  Eswara Arun Kishore - Chief mentor and advisor (5020, Batch of 1997-01)

  • Shri.  Arun Kumar Singh (Roll number 1410, Batch of 1973-77)

  • Shri. Harsh Sinha - Chief Mentor and advisor (8111, Batch of 2016-20)

  • Shri.  Sachin Saurav (8464, Batch of 2017-21)

  • Shri.  Sachin Kumar Mahto (8202, Batch of 2016-20)

  • Shri.  Farhan Aqdus (8657, Batch of 2018-22)

  • Shri.  Kumar Sambhav (8647, Batch of 2018-22)

  • Shri.  Prashant Kumar (9154, Batch of 2020-24)

  • Shri.  Pratik Raj (9156, Batch of 2020-24)

  • Cadet Raghav Dhaka (9446, Batch of 2021-2025) 

  • Cadet Yash Mukherjee (9544, Batch of 2021-2025) 



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