Smita Mahadik

IT Analyst & On-site Coordinator, TCS

As Paulo Coelho quoted perfectly "When you want something, the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it"

Katalyst is one of the integral parts of my universe which guided me and accompanied me in my journey to fulfilling my dreams.

I am thankful for all my struggles and challenges in life in terms of a humble background with limited resources and opportunities which proved to be my greatest motivating factor to achieve whatever I am today. It is an amazing feeling to be the first person to graduate from my family, the first person to fly abroad from my village, and to provide a better standard of living to my parents.

Back in the day, even though I was the topper out of 49 BMC schools, some people advised me to take admission in local colleges rather than any A-graded college as they believed I would not be able to cope with the pace of big colleges with my vernacular medium studies. I challenged myself and dared to think big because that was the only way to provide betterment to my family. During my engineering days, when other students were preparing for their CAT or GRE, I was struggling to pay my college tuition fees. I opted for a way to 'Earn & Learn' and started giving tuitions to CBSE/ICSE primary school students. This benefited me monetarily as well as improved my vocabulary and soft skills.

Katalyst has helped me to think two steps ahead with its amazing initiatives like preparation for placements and competitive exams, soft skills training, Goa convention, etc.

My advice to all those who are working hard to achieve their dreams and have humble beginnings is that - do not give up. It's just a matter of time. The greatest thing which you have is "The purpose of creating opportunities and building resources for yourself".