Profile: Applied Psychology; 93/96.8/81.4

AWT: Something on the lines of how AI is replacing writers. I wrote about the points that AI might not be replacing all types of writers equally. Some writers will be more affected. And also added some minor points.

I was second in my panel.

2 interviewers: M and F (both in their late 30s or early 40s)

F: Whats there in that envelope?

Me: These are my scribble artworks *cut *

F: So you are an artist?

Me: No, I make it as a hobby.

F: Scribble art is the one in which we draw random lines right?

Me: Yes

F: What else have you been doing?

Me: I have been currently working for a mental health NGO *Cut *

F: Whats your role?

Me: My role is of Outreach Manager. I lead and oversee a team of around 40+ volunteers. *Cut *

F: Whats the work your team do??

Me: My team reach out to different organisations to set collaborations and conduct joint initiatives with them. i negotiate the collaborations with other organisations.

F: So its basically a push strategy? Do you even consider other parties requirements?

Me: Yes, whenever we pitch an idea, we discuss the requirements of other organisations. We also conduct some sort of poll with their beneficieries, atleast in the case of colleges.

M: What are the problems faced by college students? (Question was quite vaguely structured)

Me: There are various types of workshops we organise with the colleges like the one for stress management *cut *

F: (Smiling) You didnt get the question! He is asking about the problems that the youth face in colleges.

Me: (elaborated on the topics like stress, depression, anxiety, self confidence, women empowerment)

F: Whats women empowerment?

Me: It involves reinforcing the confidence of women beneficieries onto themselves. Making them feel that they are valuable. (Was about to give a good example, but got cut by M. He stood up and left the room after informing it to F. He came back later after 5 minutes and seemed like quite busy in his phone).

F: So, you are from psychology background, tell me the difference between neurosis and psychosis.

Me: Psychosis involves detachment from reality, as is the case with schizophrenia. Whereas this isnt the case in neurosis. It involves some dysfunctions in neurotransmitters, as can be seen in Anxiety.

F: So you are saying Anxiety is all about neurotransmitter dysfunction?

Me: certainely not. It involves various other causes *cut *

F: You didnt explain neurosis.

Me: Sorry, I am currently not able to recall the exact definition of it.

F: *smirks * Why did you pursue psychology after 12th?

Me: I had an interest in understanding about human behaviour. This interest was partially to understand others and partially to understand myself. Besides, I also had inclination towards business. And psychology seemed the best way forward at that time.

F: So whats your favourite subject in psychology and what do you read in it?

Me: Social Psychology. I read about themes like Conformity (a blunder on my part), Obedience, Group Dynamism, etc.

F: Okay, Do you know about Asch?

Me: Yes, Solomon Asch conducted a line experiment for conformity.

F: What was the experiment?

Me: Sorry, I am not able to recall it rn.

F: *smiles * you dont know Asch experiment??

Me: Although, I have read about it. Currently not able to recall.

F: Okay whats conformity?

Me: (ik im screwed by now) Conformity, in simple terms is, confirming to the social expectations and behaving in line with others. There can be broadly two types of conformity: normative and informative.

For instance, rn I am wearing a black coat. So, this is in line with the norm of wearing a black coat in business interviews.

F: So which conformity it is?

Me: Normative

F: You are a psychology student. Why didn't you wear some other color instead?

Me: I didn't thought about it on purpose. Also, this coat was purchased way before this interview for some other event.

F: Okay, lets test your application part. This will be a last question from me. Why do we click selfies? Use your psychology.

Me: (A smile appeared on my face for no reason, hearing this unconventional question). I'll need some time to gather my thoughts on this.

• Thought for 20 seconds *

Me: One of the reason for us to click selfies can be to save the crucial memories.

F: We dont usually keep a background in our pictures. (Looking unconvinced)

Me: Yes, there can be other reasons too. For instance, we want to express ourselves. Selfie allow us to self express. Another reason can be Social Validation. *Cut *

F: *Laughing * now you are fetching it too far!

Me: I haven't exactly read about this. I am just making an educated guess here (with an embarrased smile) (Fun fact: I checked it at home. And all three reasons were on point. But my confidence took a hit because of the feedback i recieved at that time. Tho, I continued with a smile.)

M: Do you read newspaper?

Me: Yes. (Immediately correcting myself). I read news from diverse sources. Majorly Youtube and sometimes newspaper.

M: Which Newspaper and channels?

Me: Mint. And YT channels like Deshbhakt, Think School, Perspective by Vajiram.

M: But these are not news right! How would you know whats happening around you? These YT channels only cover some basic topics?

Me: Yes, I might not be aware about the specific news. But these channels do provide me some indepth analysis of important topics.

M: But still! For MBA, newspaper is must! How would we know you even want to pursue an MBA?

Me: (I gave my why MBA answer here) My decision to pursue an MBA is quite gradual. When I ask myself, where I would want to work in future. I imagine myself working in team settings. To support that, I started reading about my interest areas in Marketing, especially consumer behaviour, right after my undergraduate.

M: Okay, tell me a specific role and company where you want to see yourself right after MBA?

Me: I haven't fixated myself on a company yet *cut *

M: We are not asking you to select and commit to it right here!

(Both panelists exchanged smiles throughout this cross questioning session. Also, I noticed F to doze off many times in between. She wasn't showing much interest in the conversation.)

Me: Okay, after my MBA, I would like to work as an Area Sales Manager in HUL

M: (repeated my words for confirmation) Okay, What knowledge you need for this role?

Me: I would need to have cross functional knowledge of other domains. (Elaborated a bit on this as to how as a manager, I would be interacting with other domains). Secondly, I need to develop my interpersonal skills. For not only this role, but also for my future career. Thirdly, I would need a good network (Elaborated as to how I enjoy connecting with different people. And how network is crucial for further growth) (M raised eyebrows, to acknowledge me jokingly. F was on her second nap by now XD)

M: Okay, Do you have any questions for us?

Me: No sir.

M:( Laughing) Really? No questions?

Me: Not yet sir. (Like everything is there on the website!)

F asked me to take a candy or dryfruit. I went with the latter, taking it as a consolation for the grilling that happened in the past 20-25 minutes.