Bridging the Gap: From Campus to Corporate

Navigating the transition from campus to the corporate world can be daunting. In his “Campus to Corporate” session, global leader Sanjeev Somani emphasized personal development and bridging the gap between academic learning and industry expectations. He highlighted core leadership values: authenticity, empathy, and vision, stressing the importance of motivating people for success.

The session revolved around three key questions: Why are we here? Where are we headed? And how do we get there? Somani urged students to embrace their “why”—their purpose and institutional choice—and appreciate the sacrifices made to reach this point. He cautioned against merely “going through the motions,” emphasizing active engagement and the need to stand out in a competitive job market.

Discussing the “where,” Somani explored the IT landscape, differentiating between corporate IT and consulting firms (e.g., DXC, Capgemini, Walmart, Apple). He outlined the CIO’s role and their organization’s key pillars: Infrastructure, Business Applications (including ERP, CRM, and BI), Information Security (CISO), and Data/BI. He used supply chain management within ERP systems to demonstrate data flow and the importance of understanding the bigger picture. He also introduced GCCs (Global Capability Centers) as another career avenue.

Addressing the “how,” Somani focused on EQ (Emotional Quotient) alongside IQ. While IQ is expected at top institutions, EQ is the key differentiator. He defined high EQ characteristics: empathy, communication, positivity, networking, self-awareness, and confidence. He explained high-performing organizations, requiring high-performing individuals and leaders, fostering a positive culture. He advised against expecting immediate managerial roles, suggesting focusing on gaining experience.

Somani also addressed the impact of AI and automation, advising students to understand industry challenges before specializing in specific technologies. He concluded with the “Chief Energy Officer” concept, encouraging students to be CEOs of their own lives, owning their energy, passion, and purpose, and embracing a positive mindset, echoing Tony Robbins: “Stop being afraid of what will go wrong and start being excited about what will go right.”