IIMC 2012 Entrance: Experience by an Aspirant

Somesh Jha, a third year student of College of Vocational Studies (result awaited), Delhi University, is currently graduating in the course Marketing Management and Retail Business & is an IIMC 2012-13 aspirant.

It is first such piece on our blog. Target audience is targeting the readers. We thank Somesh Jha for this wonderful suo motu contribution.
- Moderator

I will go one by one. First, English Journalism. To be quite frank, I know the competition this time around is going to be really tough because the more the question paper is easy, the more competition you face. The question paper was very much expected as the major issues was the basic motto behind setting up the question paper. There were questions which were doing all the talking in the news recently be it NCTC, Agni V, Maoists, Presidential Election, Poverty Line, Unstable Indian economy, UP elections, Syrian crisis to name a few! Moreover something on the Grammar part was quite obviously expected being it the English Journalism exam. If one stuck to the word limits, the question paper was not at all lengthy! The question which asked to differentiate between the two words was a bit tricky one for me!

Coming to Radio and TV Journalism, I would like to thank the IIMC blog for this as there were almost 80 percent of the questions that the expert anticipated that would come in the question paper. Again, the question paper highlighted the need for awareness on major issues. Again, the Internet restriction was one question which was expected that it being one of the most talked about issue in the Government offices! Satyamev Jayate couldn't be ignored and so there was a question on the same too! So I think it wasn't only the awareness that mattered but how well you utilize those word limits to convey your thoughts to the examiner! Radio and TV Journalism was again not at all lengthy assuming that one adheres to the word limit!

Now, let me come to the most unexpected of the lots. The Ad-PR question paper! When I got it, I thought there is a fault and a wrong question paper has been circulated because mathematics in the question paper was itself a shocker! Though it was just a single 15 marker but then it had 5 sub parts. The only thing that relieved me was that the math part was very basic and objective too hence quite scoring if you see the good side of it with questions coming on Mean, Median, ROI, Profit and Loss etc. No wonder it is written in the instructions clearly that the question paper tests the "analytic skills" as well! The paper was a bit lengthy and required a bit mental exercise as well. There were questions on general awareness keeping in mind the current issues as well.

Topics such as Global Warming, Malnutrition, Sex ratio in Urban areas, Trademark, SEBI, RTI, WTO, Digital Media, Bio-diversity, judicial activism, IPL sought to test the general awareness and the clear vision of the writer on the topics. Other such as Presidential elections in US and PM coming on FB was meant to test the current issue awareness! The question which required mental exercise as mentioned above was the one in which one was asked to make an advertisement on IIMC and there was a question which asked for alternate taglines of various brands such as Kingfisher, Amazon, Big Bazaar, Philips, Nike, The Indian Express to name a few with their current taglines already mentioned. Hence it was a balanced act to be honest with the examiner clearly testing the analytic ability, awareness, communication and creative skills of the candidate!

The question paper was on a bit satisfactory side. Fingers are now crossed and the results are eagerly awaited. I hope God is on my side this time. All the best.

Somesh Jha

IIMC Aspirant

All the best...

Dear friends,

We tried our best to guide all the aspirants, appearing for the written test today & tomorrow, in their preparation. Whether it is probable topics or writing skills, our alumnus extended greatest help in every possible way.

After a short break, We will publish interview and group discussion related suggestions.

Good luck,

IIMC Alumni Association

क्या आप सचमुच पत्रकारिता में आना चाहते हैं

सुशील झा हिन्दी पत्रकारिता विभाग के 1998-99 बैच के छात्र रहे हैं. आईआईएमसी के बाद समाचार एजेंसी भाषा के साथ मुख्यधारा की पत्रकारिता में कदम रखने वाले सुशील बीबीसी हिन्दी सेवा के लिए दिल्ली से काम करते हैं. इससे पहले वो बीबीसी के लिए लंदन के अलावा मुंबई में भी काम कर चुके हैं.

सुझाव देना सबसे कठिन काम होता है और पत्रकारों को तो हमेशा सुझाव देने से बचना चाहिए. ये आदत लग जाती है तो फिर नेता, अभिनेता, क्रिकेटर या फिर जो बीट कर रहे हों उसी को सुझाव देने लग जाते हैं पत्रकार. ऐसा मेरा अनुभव है. लेकिन चूंकि पत्रकार हैं तो होने वाले पत्रकारों को सुझाव दिया जा सकता है इसलिए सुझाव दे रहे हैं.

लिखित परीक्षा, साक्षात्कार आदि को भूल कर ये सोचना ज़रुरी है कि क्या आप सचमुच पत्रकारिता में आना चाहते हैं या नहीं. ये जवाब सही मायने में आपका दिल ही आपको दे सकता है.

पैसा, नाम, शोहरत इनके चक्कर में न आएं. अगर आपकी हर नई चीज़ में रुचि है, चाहे वो राजनीति हो, खेल हो, फ़िल्म हो या फिर आईपॉड से लेकर आईफोन, सैमसंग के नित नए उत्पाद हों. किसानी में रुचि हो, कारखानों में रुचि हो और खूब पढ़ने में जो मिल जाए, आनंद आता हो तो समझिए मोटा मोटी पत्रकार बनने के गुण हैं.

पत्रकारिता अभी भी कैरियर नहीं कहा जा सकता कई मायनों में लेकिन वो बात फिर कभी. फिलहाल दो सुझाव लिखित परीक्षा के लिए और चार सुझाव साक्षात्कार, बहस आदि के लिए.

लिखित परीक्षा में नियत शब्द सीमा में लिखें. लिख कर अभ्यास करें कि आप जो लिख रहें वो आप दोबारा पढ़ते हैं तो एक वाक्य से दूसरे वाक्य में तारतम्य है या नहीं. एक वाक्य से दूसरे वाक्य पर जाते हुए झटका तो नहीं लगता. पढ़ने में वाक्य दर वाक्य स्मूथ मूवमेंट हो रहा है या नहीं. एक आइडिया से दूसरे आइडिया को जोड़ पा रहे हैं या नहीं. कुछ भी नहीं लिखना है. तार्किक, तारतम्य और संतुलित लिखना ज़रुरी है. गरिष्ठ हिंदी से बचें. सामान्य भाषा में बिना अशुद्धियों के अपनी बात रखने की कोशिश करें, शब्द सीमा में. ज्ञान न बघारें.

दो तीन अख़बार, पत्रिकाएं पढ़ें. एक दो बुलेटिन भी देंखें. इससे किसी भी विषय के अलग-अलग दृष्टिकोणों का पता चलेगा. हर विषय के कई कोण होते हैं ये बात ध्यान रखें.

साक्षात्कार और लिखित में भी अगर कोई सवाल निजी हो मसलन- आप पत्रकार क्यों बनना चाहते हैं. सच लिखें. बिल्कुल सच. कॉपी जांचने वाले और साक्षात्कार लेने वाले बुद्धिमान लोग होते हैं. वो झूठ पकड़ लेते हैं क्योंकि वो हमारे-आपके जैसे कई लोगों से मिलते ही रहते हैं.

निजी अनुभव से कह रहा हूं हमने भी इंटरव्यू में सच बोला था और डर रहे थे कि बिना किसी अनुभव के हमारा नहीं होगा लेकिन हुआ. इसलिए सच, साफ और स्पष्ट बात सामने रखें. पत्रकारिता में अंततः वही सफल होता है जो सच को साफ और स्पष्ट तरीके से दूसरों तक पहुंचा पाता है.

अंत में

शुभकामनाओं सहित

सुशील

Put correct facts in as little words as possible

Born in Zambia, South Africa, and brought up all over India, Ludhiana based Alice Guram, an alumnus of English Journalism Department at IIMC joined Financial Express as a trainee reporter in 1992 and then moved to The Pioneer. Guram left The Pioneer in 1997 when she was a Special Correspondent. She started freelancing in 1997 with the Financial Express, Hindustan Times, The Pioneer, Economic Times, The Times of India, Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle.

Alice started out in media management over a decade ago. She is now one of the leading image consultants in the North India with her company’s MEDIAPULSE offices in most major cities including Chandigarh, Jalandhar & Srinagar. Her impressive portfolio speaks of work with Saif Ali Khan and Kevin Pieterson. She also assisted the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie in developing the Communications Module for IAS Probationers in 2011-2012.

She has been an associate of Zee Entertainment Enterprises since the last 10 years. Other corporates, Alice work with, are Universal Music, United Spirits in addition to being an affiliate of various PR agencies.

It was in May 1991 that I was asked a question: What do you plan to do if you do not pass the IIMC interview?

My answer: Sir, I have not thought about it. I know I will be passing the interview.

It was this conviction that I think sealed my position in IIMC and even my job a year later. The question was put forward by current Rajya Sabha Member Mr Balbir Punj who was part of the panel interviewing us. A year later he took me on as a reporter in the Financial Express.

These were the doors that IIMC opened for me in life.

Getting into IIMC in the 1990s was almost like winning a battle. There were only 20 seats in English Journalism of which only 12 were in the open. Thus each one of us who made it knew we were the special few from the lakhs who had applied.

While many of you reading this may have heard the words “being true to yourself, honesty and determination” time and again, for me personally it is these very words that helped gain an entry into the course.


Courtesy: Hindustan Times, Chandigarh, April 22, 2012

As a first, I did just what many elders would advise us never to do…I put all my eggs in one basket. I had not applied anywhere and hence it was a do or die situation for me. For this reason, I knew I had to make it; there was no second alternative in my life. In addition, it wasn’t any journalist that I wanted to become…I liked writing and I always wanted to join print journalism and hence it was only and only IIMC for me.

What helped me further was the confidence in myself.  I knew I had my facts correct and I put them in as little words as possible….hence the need to be brief and to the point in both the written test and interview is a must.

Though in the 1990s, we never used to have a group discussion, I would advocate taking a different stand than the ordinary. Confrontation is not a dirty word. Sometimes it's the best kind of journalism as long you don't confront people just for the sake of a confrontation.

If you pass the three tests and gain an entry into IIMC, your life is for you to mould the way you want to. The nine months you spend at the Institute is almost like rebirth, for after you pass out, you will be doing what you have aimed to do all your life.

A mother nurtures her child for the same period of time in her womb; IIMC nurtures us for the same period of time to fight the battles of the world. A mother brings a child into the world; IIMC brings out mature human beings with mature minds into the world.


My wishes to all of you

Alice Guram

As you take the chair in your GD & Interview...

Prithviraj Choudhury passed out of IIMC batch of 2006, from the RTV department. He won the scholarship for being the topper for the IIMC exams and subsequently went on to win the STAR TV Scholarship for the year 2006, before he passed out. By virtue of this, he joined STAR India Pvt. Ltd in 2006, first as a Promo Producer, but went on to establish himself as In-Charge of online product, content development and internet marketing in the STAR TV digital department.

After spending almost 4.5 years in STAR, he moved on to be the Senior Manager in EROS International, one of India's foremost film distribution and production companies. Here his work profile includes rolling out online marketing campaigns for the some of the biggest Hindi films, as well as product lead on several key projects from Eros Digital group.

Armed with a very keen interest in films, and totally abreast with the changing trends in media, specially in the film and TV space, Prithviraj is also has been dabbled extensively in stage- as actor, director and writer, during his graduation days in St Stephens College, Delhi and post graduation phase at Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

One day, he plans to open his own restaurant serving exotic food from across the world, and write and direct his own film.

This little note is an ode to confidence and tackling a motley crew of really important looking people as you take the chair in your GD and personal interview. The IIMC doors have now opened up, once you have crossed the all essential (but fundamentally boring) entrance exams and now the real test of you as a person will come into being.

I have always found personal interviews and GDs great fun, primarily because its a direct mode of communication and expression to impress upon people that matter, on why they should give you a chance to be in their institute. Marks are bit over-rated, so an one-to-one communication is a far better judge of your worthiness as a potential candidate.

I am sure all of you are probably well versed with the general tenets of tackling interviews an GDs. Nice sounding cliched lines like: "be yourself", "make sure you have first strike in GD to set the tone", or my favourite one: sit straight, and NEVER EVER lose eye contact with the interviewer". Well, let me tell you- all of the above listed are all true (cliches by definition are stuff that is already established as true, perhaps too often than not!).

So perhaps if I can tell you a note or two on how to tackle a difficult situation in any of these interviews. What happens when your smooth-talking, well-prepped, meticulously-dressed self finds himself/herself in pickle. A tricky question, an uncomfortable silence, a stammer, stutter and a blank expression and its all downhill from there!

The first thing to remember is that you must not think of your interviewers as Greek monster, or that their single point agenda is to make you feel like scum of the earth (that only happens in reality shows auditions only!).

The IIMC interviewers in my experience and from what I have heard over the years are generally nice, who ask pertinent questions to your field and some questions to assess your personality. So the moment you get rid of any pre- conceived notions of what they might be and go there with a mind set- that this is going to be a good round of interaction- you will be far at ease at answering questions.

We are pleased to share the poster of Prithvi’s first feature film LOVE SONGS released in 2008.

Secondly, you must learn to communicate effectively and sharply. Answer your questions short and to the point- don’t go overboard with facts and figures that aren’t relevant- you aren’t being asked to be a contributor to Wikipedia, so answer what is asked. And if you don’t know an answer to a question- nothing at all- don’t go blabbering stuff without thinking.

You may think that you can muster up some facts from here and there and say something that MIGHT just sound like the answer they want, but that’s a bad ploy. The more you ramble on topics you are not sure about, the more likely it is that you will end up annoying the interviewer and bursting his blood vessel.

Of course, you walk into a TV journalism institute and you are not entirely sure why Mamtadi doesn't like cartoons of late, then we have a problem! There is nothing wrong in not knowing something and admitting it. You will be asked tricky questions- the key is not to lose your cool, not dwell too much on it or give any fodder to the other side to prodding you more on it- and quickly change the subject or move on to something different.

Thirdly: confidence is an often used word while dealing with interviews, but more often that not, its not rightly implemented. Toeing a fine line between confidence and arrogance is a difficult job. Always believe that you deserve to be there in the room- else you wouldn't have got an interview call.

Don’t be scared to express your opinion on a topic which may be in variance with what the interviewer or the panel might say. If you are confident of your view point and have solid logic backing you, go ahead and express it. That’s confidence. But thinking that yours is the only view point and not willing to listen to any other POV, that's arrogance.

So be confident... there is such thing as a healthy debate (alas, how I wish our parliamentarians would understand this!)- So be confident and speak up. Again, things might get tricky, when the interviewer may be aggressively driving their point. The best thing to do then, is hear him/her out, say what your final stance on the topic is and why, be polite and then shut up.

Lastly: one question that I always found funny is: What do you think are your weaknesses?" I mean- really- why would I point that out to you when I am interviewing for admission. On the other hand, if I don't say anything am I implying that I am perfect, and am God's gift to mankind? Well- here one needs to be clever.

The right answer is to couch your so-called weakness in somewhat diplomatic terms, balance it out by giving a reason on why your weakness is actually driving you for the betterment of the work that you do and how you so totally aware of your weakness and working on it.

For example: My weakness is that I don't take criticism too well (honest to god confession: I’m working on it!). So when I was asked the "weakness question", I looked straight and said: Sir, I do think that I take criticism very personally, and don't always react too well. I think that's fundamentally because I take a lot of pain in what I do, I do it with pride and passion, and so when something is pointed out which is negative, my reaction is to subjective. I don't want to be caught doing anything which gives others to question my work. I just want my work to be right and want others to see that. I am aware of this, and I know that constructive criticism is only for my knowledge, and I am working on this weakness of mine"... Sounds too random - well -- it works!

Look, I don't profess to know it all! I am just telling you what I have observed in my interviews in IIMC and during my professional life. During my STAR TV scholarship interview, the deceivingly smooth Vir Sanghvi asked me what I thought of a particular movement of films, given that I have a keen interest in cinema. I gave a whole lot of gyaan, making it sound erudite Mr. Sanghvi said: Really- that's lot of confident bullshit you just spewed- you are in the right field! Ironically enough, I think at that point of time, I totally believed what I said (In hindsight, My Gawd- What was I thinking!!). But they key was just that: I was passionately confident and didn't allow my interviewer to intimidate me.

So that's that... Hope it all works out well for you.

All the best...

Prithviraj Choudhury