Hello, and welcome to the Forensics Digest Q & A Session. Monthly, we will interview students and experts of forensic science on a host of topics ranging from technical aspects to career soft skills.
Today I have with me, Ms. Saptarshi Rao, who is an alumna of Jain University and is currently working in Bank of America, Bengaluru. She joined Forensics Digest in August to prepare for Entrance Exams after her Bachelors. Excelled every weekly quizzes on our platform , Saptarshi is passionate to make her career in forensic science.
Though lengthy, please read it fully to get motivated and find out how she bagged the job and what her future plans are.
Forensics Digest : Hello Saptarshi. Thank you for joining us. Let me begin by asking you about yourself!
Saptarshi : Hi, I’m from Bangalore and I did my bachelors in forensic science from JAIN (DEEMED-TO-BE) University. I did my 11th and 12th in the science stream from Jyoti Nivas Pre-University College, Bangalore.
Forensics Digest : How, when, and what got you interested in Forensic Science?
Saptarshi: As I was about to complete my 12th, I figured out that I didn’t want to take up conventional streams of engineering or medicine. That led me to look up and find out about other courses which eventually led me to discover forensics. As I read more about it, I found it quite interesting and being from a science background, I knew I could go ahead with it. And that’s how this journey began.
Forensics Digest : How did you get placed in Bank of America? What made you join the bank?
Saptarshi : A few months after I graduated from JAIN, there was a notification sent to us from our placement cell inviting applications for joining Bank of America. Though I wanted to pursue my masters in FS, at that time, there was no clarity on when the entrance exams were going to be held. And so, I decided to appear for the interview and the aptitude test conducted by BOFA since I wanted to experience giving a interview. Eventually I got selected and still there was no notification of the exams whatsoever. So I decided to take up the job temporarily which was WFH until things settled down and colleges decided to conduct exams.
Forensics Digest: Let our readers know more about the selection process at Bank of America.
Saptarshi: Selection process had 2 rounds – Online Interview and an online aptitude test. So the interview consisted of usual questions which MNCs generally ask candidates, but I was a bit nervous since banking was a whole new field to me. So I did prepare for the interview in advance and made a note of all possible questions and responses that could’ve been asked. The interview lasted for 15-20 minutes and it went quite good. Next day was the aptitude test which had questions based on logical reasoning, mental ability, problem solving skills and so on. I appeared for that as well and I was glad to have cracked it.
Forensics Digest : How has been your experience at Bank of America so far?
Saptarshi : So far it’s been good, I’ve managers who are quite supportive and good team members. Work doesn’t tend to get hectic, and its manageable.
Forensics Digest : How did you prepare for NICFS- IPU CET?
Saptarshi : I started preparing for NICFS slowly starting in the month of April but was very distracted then. It was only when ForensicsDigest forum came up with study materials, I got more serious about studying. I started revising biology and chemistry from NCERT textbooks (since these subjects are easy for me) along with my work schedule. When IPU sent a notification about the exam, I was freaked out at first but decided to go and write the exam anyways. I revised Forensic Science from my graduation notes which helped a lot.
I got an AIR of 38, but to my disappointment, didn’t get selected during the online counseling. Anyways, I am glad that I tried and gathered courage to write this exam in these times of COVID. I do not think of this as my failure, but as a learning and an experience. I’ll study harder next year and appear once again for sure.
Forensics Digest : What are your future plans?
Saptarshi : I’d do my masters first. I’d love to work in forensic labs and apply my knowledge to this field and also improve my skills.
Forensics Digest : Coming to our last question, how has been your experience with Forensics Digest so far?
Saptarshi: Forensic Digest is a great platform and the team is really doing an amazing job! The study material is excellent and the team is really supportive. You all motivate us to push ourselves in order to achieve our goals! Thank you!!
We know that managing work and studies can be really overwhelming. But we are glad one of our star is shining brightly and making all of us proud.
Excellent guidance from forensic digest .
Congrats to Saptashri ,who is my best student .