MB#92: 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙘𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙-𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙂𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 1996.

[MemoirBlogthon #92] Driven by a goal to "give back" and promote the Company Secretary course, I secured my M.Com. as an external student. In 1996, during my term as ICSI Chapter Chairman, I aimed to conduct an unprecedented number of career events. This blog details the strategy inspired by my father: target the university leadership. By inviting the vice-chancellor of Osmania University, I transformed a local chapter event into a win-win collaboration, proving that the CS qualification offered job assurance in a market saturated with graduates. The climax was conducting an astounding 34 career events in 34 colleges on a single day, involving 100 student volunteers—a landmark achievement that truly hit the top of my ambitions.

MB#92: How Inviting a Vice-Chancellor Transformed a Chapter Exhibition into a University Collaboration.

Setting a high standard was only the beginning; the real challenge was delivering on my father's mandate to "give the best to the members and students," a task I soon tackled by launching an unprecedented outreach campaign for career guidance.

Earning the Credentials to Educate 🎓

After becoming a practicing Company Secretary in 1995, my commitment to the profession extended beyond consulting. In 1993, I completed my post graduation in commerce (M.Com.) as an external student from Osmania University. I deliberately pursued this degree to qualify as a guest faculty member, both for general educational institutions and within the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).

As Chapter Chairman in 1996, I determined to leverage this experience to conduct extensive career guidance programs—not just in metropolitan areas, but in towns and remote colleges—to promote the CS course. My goal was twofold: to create awareness and to encourage qualified and experienced ICSI members to go back to their alma maters to volunteer.

Paternal Strategy: Reaching the Pinnacle 🎯

I set an audacious target for 1996: conducting the largest number of career events both within the chapter and at the college level. A pivotal idea sparked: instead of reaching colleges one by one, why not invite the university heads to our chapter to secure a top-down endorsement?

I shared this idea with my father. Given his experience as a former chairman of the Institute of Engineers local branch, he offered strategic advice: "Approach the commerce heads of department in universities and colleges." He understood the leverage that a university head could provide.

Following his suggestion, I designed a major career exhibition and a career counseling program at the chapter building on June 30, 1996. The chief guest I invited was Prof. V. Ramakistayya, the vice-chancellor of Osmania University—my own alma mater.

During the inaugural session, sharing the dais with the vice-chancellor felt like a moment of "reaching the pinnacle." He initially approached the event cautiously, wary of commercial ventures. However, in his speech, he acknowledged the immense value:

"Mr. Suryanarayana, my university alumnus, is now an accomplished professional and heading the prestigious institute. Though our Osmania University turns out hundreds of graduates with no job assurance, Mr. Suryanarayana, on behalf of ICSI, is giving job or professional practitioner assurance within a few months of getting the professional qualification. I appeal to everyone to make use of this opportunity."

He declared the exhibition open and promptly invited the chapter managing committee to his office to discuss a potential MOU for collaboration, which would benefit both ICSI and the university graduates. My father’s sharp reaction—"Reaching the pinnacle"—upon hearing the essence of the vice-chancellor's speech validated the strategic decision perfectly.

The Record-Breaking Outreach 🚀

The day-long exhibition, showcasing the CS course journey (before, during, and after graduation), touched 1,089 visitors. We distributed free literature and relied on our oral coaching students as volunteers. This event was the first of its kind in ICSI history.

But the most significant milestone was yet to come. On August 16, 1996, as part of the Foundation Day week celebrations, I hit another target: conducting thirty-four (34) career events in 34 colleges across Hyderabad on a single day.

This required meticulous planning: I mobilized 100 final-level CS students (both boys and girls) as volunteers. Their roles were structured: secure the venue, set the time, complete attendance formalities (using the vice-chancellor’s endorsement as leverage), distribute brochures, seek assistance from local CS members, and report back by 7 PM. I personally addressed ten colleges that day. By the end of 1996, I had successfully completed 110 career guidance tasks against a target of 100, earning recognition for this unprecedented, synchronized outreach.

My father’s words, "Reaching the pinnacle," became the guiding principle that ensured we always aimed for the top.

By orchestrating 110 career events and forging a groundbreaking MOU with Osmania University, we transformed the chapter's visibility, laying the groundwork for recognition beyond our immediate professional circle.

MB#92: Quiz

MB92: Question: Which university's vice-chancellor did the author invite as chief guest to the chapter's career exhibition in 1996?

Change Image

• A. Andhra University.
• B. JNTU.
• C. Osmania University.
• D. Kakatiya University.

MB#92: Quote

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, you must go together."