In this Podcast Series, we bring you an insightful conversation with Ameen, an outplaced candidate from our Management Consulting Program at Jobaaj Learnings. Through this podcast-style interaction, Ameen shares his journey — from his academic background to how he discovered us, his learning experience, and his eventual placement. If you're curious about how our programs work from a learner's point of view, this blog is for you.

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Podcaster:
Hi Ameen, my name is Harshit. First of all, thanks again for getting on this call and taking time out of your schedule. So Ameen, to begin with — in terms of your education, what have you pursued? What stream did you start your career with, and how did you end up here?

Ameen:
I did Mechanical Engineering from VIT Vellore. I was in the 2018–2022 batch. It's been around three years since I graduated. After that, I worked in roles like Program Manager, Ops Associate, and Manager. I’ve always been interested in management, growth, and strategy roles — but it was tough to break into those areas due to the variety of problem statements involved.

As a program manager, you usually get to work on specific questions, but I wanted exposure to multiple kinds of problems. That curiosity led me to Jobaaj. I felt consistency in learning could help me grow faster — and that’s how I ended up enrolling in the program.

Podcaster:
Got it. And how did you come across Jobaaj Learnings — was it through social media, Google, or word of mouth?

Ameen:
I found it on Instagram — through social media.

Podcaster:
Alright. Once you enrolled, how did you find the curriculum, assignments, and overall roadmap? Can you give us some insights?

Ameen:
Yeah, Harshit — the portal was very user-friendly and visually attractive. The course structure was also good. Every week, we had live classes in addition to recorded videos, which kept it interactive. The live sessions gave a classroom-like feel and helped maintain engagement.

The course helped me refresh my Python and Excel skills. Surprisingly, I also learned a lot about Figma — even though it wasn’t a core part of the curriculum at first. It was introduced later and was super helpful because I’m using Figma in my current job.

The Product Management module was also very informative. And the weekend consulting classes by Shubham were really helpful and interactive. They helped me build confidence in problem-solving and communication.

The support system was great too — the Discord server was very active. My point of contact, Nandini, was quick to respond and very supportive. There were no gaps in communication, which I appreciated.

Podcaster:
That’s great to hear. And how was your experience with the placement team?

Ameen:
It was really good. They followed a two-way approach — applying on my behalf and also sending me links for roles I could apply to directly. They followed up after interviews, checked on offer letters, and even guided me when some information was missing. Most applications were handled by them directly, and I had no issues.

Podcaster:
Perfect. So if I ask you to rate Jobaaj Learnings on a scale of 1 to 10 — with 1 being the worst and 10 the best — what would be your rating?

Ameen:
Definitely 10 out of 10. There’s nothing negative I can point out. I did join expecting to land a pure consulting role, but I understand the challenges of doing that directly after a BTech without an MBA. Still, I ended up with a similar role — so I’m satisfied and happy.

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Don’t miss the full conversation—watch the podcast now and get inspired by Ameen’s journey!

 

General interview questions answered by Ameen during her selection process

Why did you transition from Mechanical Engineering to Consulting/Product roles?

Sample Answer: While engineering gave me a solid analytical base, I was always drawn toward solving business problems. During my first job, I worked on multiple operational challenges, and that sparked my interest in strategic thinking and decision-making. That’s when I decided to formally transition, so I took a structured program in consulting and product management to prepare myself for roles beyond the core technical field.

How do you approach solving a business problem you’ve never seen before?

Sample Answer: I begin by breaking the problem into smaller parts using a framework like MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive). I gather data, analyze it using Excel or Python, and explore different angles. I also validate assumptions with mentors or team members when needed. Then I present solutions with possible trade-offs and impacts. This structured thinking helps even with unfamiliar problems.

What tools are you comfortable with and how have you used them?

Sample Answer: I'm comfortable with Microsoft Excel, Python (Pandas), and Figma. In my course projects, I used Excel for basic financial models and dashboards, Python for exploratory data analysis, and Figma for wireframing digital product ideas. Each tool helped me express and execute ideas more effectively.

Tell us about a time when you worked in a team to solve a case or challenge.

Sample Answer: During one of the live weekend sessions at Jobaaj, we were divided into teams to solve a market entry case. I took the lead on competitor analysis, another teammate handled pricing, and someone else did customer segmentation. We combined our findings into a final pitch deck. It taught me the importance of clear communication, delegation, and aligning on the end goal.

What KPIs would you track in a program management role?

Sample Answer: In a program management role, I focus on KPIs that ensure timely delivery, efficiency, and stakeholder alignment:

  • Milestone Adherence: To track project progress vs. plan.

  • Resource Utilization: Ensures optimal use of team bandwidth.

  • Cost Variance: Tracks budget compliance.

  • Issue Resolution Time: Measures how fast roadblocks are cleared.

  • Stakeholder Satisfaction: Based on regular feedback.

  • Quality Metrics: Like error rates or rework percentage.

These help in maintaining control and ensuring smooth execution.

Explain how you’ve used Excel in any past projects.

Sample Answer: I’ve used Excel to manage project timelines, create trackers, and analyze data. For example:

  • Built Gantt-style task trackers with conditional formatting.

  • Created pivot dashboards for resource allocation and reporting.

  • Used formulas like SUMIFS, VLOOKUP, and IF for budgeting and analysis.

  • Designed visual reports with charts for stakeholder reviews.

Excel helped automate repetitive tasks and improve decision-making through clear insights.