Delight

Juniper Networks visited the Thapar Technology Campus on 19^th August (Thursday).

The PPT and written test had been rescheduled from the 20^th. I’d spent most of Wednesday busy with MMT’s ‘rigorous’ process. I sort of wanted a break, so I spent Thursday morning watching an episode of Sherlock (new series, worth checking out) and constantly checking my phone for any news of the result. A part of me was expecting (hoping) to get through MMT. I wasn’t really looking forward to Juniper. I was perhaps not too keen on a networks company, or maybe I just thought that because in truth I was not prepared enough.

Anyhow, Harry (who was very very very keen on Juniper) and I made our way to the college. The PPT was delayed by a couple of hours because of some miscommunication, so we waited around. By the time it finally began, I had my customary headache. I expected it to be another dull affair, but was pleasantly surprised by the professionalism of the team from Juniper. The presentation was brief yet informative, and the people who spoke were crisp yet friendly (and they made no English mistakes :P). It was a very nice experience.

Next, the written test began. 50 (15 aptitude and 35 technical) questions in 1 hour. The aptitude questions were of a good level, but solvable. The technical part (apart from C) was on another level altogether. At the end of it, I thought I’d done pretty well and might get through. That’s when the confusion started. MMT’s result had still not been declared, and I could not afford to take two non-dream placements (Even though Juniper was only offering an internship program, rumour had it that it would still count as a placement). What to do? Gunjeet and I reached the conclusion that throwing the interview (if we got selected) would be the only viable option. I talked to my dad, trying to decide what to do, and the conversation ended with us discussing how to throw an interview. LOL. The result, as usual, took a little longer than expected. All that while, the uncertainty within us grew. Screw MMT – we thought. We almost wished that we wouldn’t get selected, as that would save us the trouble of deciding what to do. Harry, meanwhile, was almost ready to put on his formals. He was raring to go.

Finally, the results were announced. My name was on the list, but my interview was the next morning. I breathed a sigh of relief. More time to decide! Those who had their interviews on the same night (like Ujjawal) rushed to get ready. Me and Harry (who also had his interview in the morning) decided to do some scouting. I wanted talk to Bawa sir (he’s the placement coordinator) and clear up my situation. I managed to find him, and asked what would happen if I got through both MMT and Juniper. “Ab woh toh aap khud dekho,” he said, and walked off [You have to analyze that for yourself]. I was nervous and confused, asking everyone for advice and getting nothing useful. I managed to corner him again after a few minutes and asked a more specific question. “Sir, will Juniper count as a training or a placement?”
“It’ll count as a training,” he said.
“So that means I can still sit for dream companies, even if I get through MMT?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said, much to my delight. The problem had been solved. Like most problems, it had never existed in the first place.

I started to gear up for my interview, which involved bugging everyone who came out of the interview room what questions he/she had been asked. After I got a fair idea of what all I needed to revise (and solved a certain question which no one else seemed to be able to), I made my way back to the hostel. People (including me) had made elaborate study plans, with sleep nowhere in the picture. But I always value sleep and freshness more, so I sort of slept pretty soon after I got back :P.

I got up slightly early in the morning and studied for a couple of hours. I managed to cover pretty much everything I wanted to, and was feeling pretty confident. I dressed up in my neat formal clothes, and made my way to the interview with my folder. I was quite nervous by the time I left the hostel, luckily I found a few people to talk to along the way and managed to keep myself distracted. Somehow, I had a feeling that something very bad would happen.

When I walked into the placement cell (after borrowing a guy’s tie), I was pleasantly surprised to find that the proceedings were pretty much on schedule. Unusual. These people are really professional – I thought. After a few minutes, the PR on duty asked me to step into cabin 2. Here are excerpts from the interview –

V = Vineet (Interviewer 1, Technical)
A = Ashwin(Interviewer 2, HR)
P = Pulkit

[P walks in through the door]
P: Good afternoon, sir. [It’s 10 AM in the morning. LOL]
V: Hello, I’m Vineet. [Shakes hands]
A: Ashwin. [Shakes hands]
[P hands resume to V and puts folder on the desk. A walks out on some errand. A peon brings tea for A and V]
V: [Pointing at the tea] Err.. would you like some? I’m feeling weird having it without asking you.
P: No sir!
V: Ok. So, how did you find the test, Pulkit?
P: [A little nervous] It was... good, sir. The aptitude questions were challenging, and the technical paper was of a nice level. Quite difficult, actually.
V: Is it so? What do other companies normally do?
P: Just before you Make My Trip came. They had a 45 question aptitude test and a 15 question C based technical test.
V: Okay.

[V asks P a few technical questions, which P answers satisfactorily. P grows in confidence. A walks back in at some point, and starts intently observing P. V is reading P’s resume]

V: So, have you applied to Georgia Tech?
P: [A little confused] What... for MS?
V: Yeah, why else would you apply there for?
P: [smiles sheepishly] Sir, I do have higher education plans, but not in the immediate future. Maybe after a few years.
V: Why does everybody say that?
P: I consulted with my father, he’s an IT professional, and decided to wait. Right now, I don’t know in which area I really want to work. Perhaps after a few years of experience I can do my masters in a specific field.
[V seems satisfied with the answer]
A: What does your father do?
P: Sir, there’s a company called XYZ in Noida, he works there.

[A little while, some more questions and answers later]

V: Okay, Pulkit, let’s take up another problem.
P: Sure, sir.
V: I need you to draw three nodes of a linked list.
P: Does it have only three nodes?
V: No, it may have any number of nodes before and after these three.
P: Okay. [Draws the nodes]
V: Now suppose you’re given a pointer to the middle node, how would you delete it?
P: A pointer just to the middle node?
V: Okay, take that you’re given the head of the list too.
P: Then it would be easy, sir. We could traverse the list to the point where we reach the node in question, and delete it.
V: Yes. What would be the complexity?
P: [Thinks for a while] n, sir.
V: What if I asked you to do it in complexity 1?
[P is in a fix. He’s staring at the paper, trying to figure out what to do. He makes random mutterings once in a while. His mind wanders a couple of times. A is intently observing him. Almost 5 minutes pass]
V: Okay, I’ll give you a hint. Imagine what the list would look like after the node is deleted.
P: [Thinks for around 10 seconds. Has a look of triumph on his face] If we could just shift the next node sir!
V: Perfect! [The delight is apparent on his face].
[P is all smiles]
V: Okay, that’s it from my side, Pulkit. [To A] Do you have any questions?

[A asks P a few questions. P tells them about a writing project he has taken up with friends, and they seem to like it. A suggests P a book to read]

[The interview is almost over]

P: Your setup is in Bangalore, right?
V: Yes.
A: You comfortable with relocating to Bangalore?
P: Totally, sir! In fact, I’m looking forward to returning to the south. I grew up in Hyderabad.
A: Oh! Which school did you go to?
P: Chinmaya Vidyalaya.
A: Okay.
V: Well, that’s it, Pulkit.
A: You have no problem with relocating to Bangalore, right?
P: Not at all, sir.
[A hands P a Juniper tee shirt]
V: In fact, Ashwin, do you have another one? He answered my question yaar, give him two!
A: [Rummaging through a box] Yes, but it’s a girls’ one.
V: Give it to him, for his girlfriend.
[Everyone is all smiles]
V: Do you have a girlfriend?
P: [smiling sheepishly] I had one, a long time ago.
[P accepts the two tee shirts, shakes hands and walks out. He is smiling widely]

I attended a couple of classes in my formals, it was good fun. I was quite happy and expecting a positive result, but as usual I got nervous and started doubting myself within a few minutes.

The results were announced in a couple of hours. They collected the interview candidates in the CILP auditorium, and Vineet first gave a brief talk on the importance of academics, and urged those not selected not to be disheartened. Finally, Ashwin announced the results. A total of 10 people were selected, and mine was the first name on the list!

This was followed by high-fives and congratulations, smiling faces and photo sessions. I felt like I was flying and the world was at my feet. I felt like I could accomplish anything. It was pure joy. I almost stayed high throughout the day.

I’d never heard of “Juniper Networks” before the day their notice was put up. Much like I hadn’t heard of Thapar before I decided to come here. Now I’m glad I did hear of them, and how!