Hey there, Prime alumni!
I’m Comilina Bajracharya, and I’m here to add a little flavor to our alumni newsletter. Back in the day, I proudly donned the cap and gown as a member of the BBA Class 2017, majoring in Marketing. Since then, life’s been quite an adventure!
Every single day was a learning adventure for me. I was soaking up knowledge like a sponge, not just about textbooks and theories, but about life itself. I learned the art of communication, how to be an effective team player, and what it takes to be a reliable leader. But you know what? The most exciting part was getting to know myself on a whole new level – uncovering my strengths and understanding my weaknesses.
Those classroom discussions? They were like brain workouts that helped me shape my thinking. It’s funny how all that theoretical stuff suddenly clicks when you see it in action and realize the real-world impact. And guess what? Thanks to the Prime EMC events, I didn’t just stop at discussions. I got my hands dirty and put those ideas into action. It’s amazing how it all came together!
And when i first stepped into the corporate world, I could see that change in myself, the way I was working a part of team, contributing my ideas and see it come to life. So, here’s to learning, growing, and discovering more about ourselves every step of the way.
Picture this: I’ve danced through corporate world, working for some big-companies like Daraz and Barclays. and i’ve even hopped across the pond for some good ol’British education. But throughout it all, I’ve managed to keep that Prime spirit alive and kicking.
Remember those internship days we had in our final semester? Well, right after tossing my graduation cap at Prime College, I jumped into the professional world with a splash. I landed at a remarkable, impact-driven company called Anthropose, where I learned that giving back to my work gave it a profound sense of purpose. It was a solid foundation for my corporate journey.
In 2019, I made my way over to the Daraz team, diving headfirst into various roles in marketing. It was a bit like climbing a ladder, and by 2021, I proudly found myself perched atop it as the Head of Social Media. Things were rolling along wonderfully in the corporate world.
But, you know what they say about lifelong learners? Well, that’s me! I still had that itch to hone my skills further. So, off I went to the UK to pursue my MSc in International Marketing. However, the adventure didn’t stop there. While juggling studies, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a social media consultant for Daraz for three months from Scotland.
Fast forward two years, and I’m back in the vibrant land of Nepal, excited to reconnect. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Before I set foot in the vibrant world of Prime College, I had this itch for something different. I was hungry to stretch beyond my comfort zone and dive headfirst into the unknown. So, I did some digging and explored the awesome student clubs Prime had to offer.
Guess what? One club immediately stole my heart – the Prime Entrepreneurial Management Club. And let me tell you, those four years that followed were nothing short of an amazing rollercoaster of personal and professional growth.
From putting together epic events right within our college campus to taking our show on the road and organizing events for other colleges, it’s been a wild ride. I’ve had the chance to rub shoulders with some incredible business pros, forge lifelong friendships, and even find myself a mentor along the way which actually helped me choose my major-Marketing in my last year of undergrad.
You could say that joining that club changed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
Looking back, I’d say I should’ve taken more trips with my pals, you know, let my hair down a bit. But, honestly, I was so nose-deep in books and part-time work that I didn’t give myself that break.
Now, when it comes to picking my university, I wish I had put in a tad more effort to explore my options. I should’ve dug deeper into different courses and scholarships offered by universities in various cities. Don’t get me wrong, the University of Strathclyde is fantastic, and I was lucky enough to snag a scholarship. No complaints there!
But here’s the twist – I landed in the post-COVID era, and most of the club activities were on pause. So, I should have made it my mission to seek out the ones that were still buzzing with life and become an active member or formed a new club for Nepalese community in itself.
I’ve always had this fiery passion for writing. It’s something that truly gets my creative juices flowing. And guess what? Once upon a time, I had the fantastic opportunity to see my words come to life in The Himalayan Times. It was an article about an inspiring entrepreneurship session held for Prime +2 students, and I was the lucky one who got to put it all into words.
But that’s not all. Fast forward to my final year of BBA, and there was this fantastic Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Training for Teachers session. It was a collaboration between the BBA Association, Prime College and the World Forum for Ethics in Nepal, and I along with other team members had the privilege of being a rapporteur for the event. Those were some of my standout moments during my undergrad days.
Now, after donning that graduation cap, I ventured into the corporate world with the awesome team at Anthropose. Together, we launched a brand-new eyewear collection designed right here in Nepal, and the best part? It helped fund an astounding 415 cataract surgeries in Dhading. Talk about making a difference!
Next stop: Daraz! I found myself in the midst of exciting campaigns, and one that stands out is the Facebook Live streaming for Converse Brand Day. Can you believe it garnered a whopping 72,000 shares in a single day? It was a first for the entire Daraz region. Following that, I worked my way up, focused on enhancing the quality and creating even more engaging live streams.And then, there’s this heartwarming story from my time in the UK. I had transitioned to working at Barclays, and my daily interactions led to something truly special. I had a heartfelt conversation with an 82-year-old lady who had faced profound loss in her life. I couldn’t change her past, but I could make her day a little brighter. I got permission to send her a bouquet of flowers for Mother’s Day, and her response? “Because of people like you, I have not lost faith in humanity.” It’s moments like these that remind me why making an impact, no matter how small, is so darn important.
Oh, it sure did! You see, I come from a good ol’ working-class family. My dad was all about administration and finance, while my mom rocked her role as an IT officer in a bank. So, naturally, I thought I’d follow in their footsteps and pursue a degree in business administration.
But here’s the twist: in the third year, you gotta pick your major to seal the deal. I was at a crossroads. Should I dive into the world of finance and follow the path to banking, just like my parents? Or, should I venture into the mysterious realm of marketing?
You see, I had this old-school notion that marketing was all about door-to-door sales. But then, fate had its say. We have this awesome annual event called ICT Meetup organized by Prime IT club, where professionals from all walks of life come to share their wisdom. They line up some sessions, and two caught my eye: one about a career in banking and the other mysteriously titled “ABC of Marketing.”
Naturally, I attended both sessions because I wanted to explore my options before making my big decision. But oh boy, that “ABC of Marketing” session changed everything. Our speaker, Mr. Abhisekh Maskey, was an absolute rock star. It was hands down the most interactive and enlightening session I’d ever experienced.
Lucky me, I got the chance to reach out to him afterward, and he’s become one of my mentors and a source of endless inspiration. That session lit a spark in me, and from then on, my path was clear. It’s been an epic journey ever since!
So, here’s my advice to all of you: if you ever get the chance to attend sessions with speakers from different backgrounds, jump right in! Engage, ask questions, and have a good old fruitful conversation. Trust me, you’ll always walk away with something new and exciting.
Listen up because here’s the deal: Life is just getting started, and it’s going to throw some curveballs your way. You might face job rejections, have moments of self-doubt, and even find yourself questioning your path. But in the midst of all this, there’s one golden rule never give up on yourself.
It’s time to break free from that comfy cocoon of yours and explore the different versions of yourself that are waiting to shine. Set some goals; they’ll be your guiding stars, keeping you on track. And here’s a little secret: never, ever compare yourself to others. It’s a game you’ll never win.
If someone tries to measure your journey against someone else’s, just smile and say, “That’s not how I envisioned my life.” See, the key is to find what truly makes you happy and content. And, here’s the kicker – surround yourself with a fantastic circle of people who support you for exactly who you are. They’re your cheerleaders through thick and thin.
So, gear up, champs! Life’s an adventure, and you’re the hero of your own story but always remember to put yourself in other’s shoes to get that perspective about anything in life.
Life’s like a rollercoaster, isn’t it? One moment, everything’s sailing smoothly, and the next, you hit a bump in the road. There are times when the tried-and-true stops working, and new ideas seem to fall flat. You’re left scratching your head, wondering what went wrong. Trust me, I’ve been there too, and it can be a bit of a head-scratcher.
But hey, here’s the silver lining – challenges are just opportunities in disguise. The secret sauce that helped me conquer those tough times? Discussions and brainstorms with my awesome team. I can’t stress enough how crucial they were in my career journey. I’ve been lucky to have the best teammates by my side, and I’ll forever be grateful for their support.
Of course, it’s not just about luck; I’ve always had a set of clear objectives and milestones to keep me and my team on the right track. Plus, mentoring played a massive role in my growth. Thanks to the network I built during my undergrad days, I had access to incredible mentors. We’d chat about curiosities over coffee or just see how they work – it was like a masterclass in real life.
And you know what else kept me grounded? Some awesome books! “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek and “Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuk are my go-tos. They’ve helped me stay true to my values and beliefs.
Now, here’s the twist in my story. I had to decide between staying put and pursuing my masters or heading abroad and starting fresh. It was a toughie, no doubt. But what eased my decision was the thought that the experiences I’d gain abroad would make me an even more valuable asset when I returned. I knew I could give back even more right here in Nepal.
So, there you have it, the ups, downs, and decisions that have shaped my journey so far.
You know, I’ve always been someone with a strong drive for my career. Building a life in a foreign land? Well, let’s just say it’s a mix of hard work and a dash of luck thrown into the mix.
But here’s the thing, I had to ask myself a big question: Where do I see myself career-wise, both abroad and in Nepal? Would I truly be happy and fulfilled in the field I was in? After some soul-searching, it hit me – I still had that burning desire to create a meaningful impact, and I felt that with my experience, it might be a bit challenging abroad.
You see, living overseas is a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow, but there are some downsides too. There are moments when you face discrimination based on your race and color, and trust me, it’s not a pleasant experience. It can take a toll on your mental well-being, and you start questioning yourself and your abilities.
I’ve walked that path, faced those challenges, and it’s made me even more resilient and determined. So, after weighing it all, I made the decision to return home for now, where I believe I can truly make a difference.
Oh, let me tell you, my time in the UK was nothing short of an eye-opener! Living abroad really gives you a crash course in self-discovery, especially when you’re pushed out of your comfy cocoon.
By the time I made the call to pack my bags and head back home, I realized how much I’d grown as a person. When I first landed in the UK, the world was still navigating the post-COVID phase. Virtual classes were the norm for a good couple of months, which meant I missed out on getting to know my classmates in person. But then, things started looking up, and we finally had those good old face-to-face classes. Our sessions were mostly discussion-based, and boy, were they enlightening! We’d dive into the theory at first, but the second half was all about student-driven discussions, expertly moderated by our professors. And because it was an international bunch, the perspectives that came to the table were simply mind-blowing.
Now, I won’t sugarcoat it; being away from home was tough, especially when it came to food. Oh, how I missed momo! And of course, the worry for my family back in Nepal was always there. But I also had this fear of missing out on everything happening in my friend circle. Funny thing is, I ended up catching up with my friends more often on calls than I ever did in Nepal.
Exploring the different nooks and crannies of UK cities with my buddies was undoubtedly the best part. I’ll never forget the time when I took my first train ride from Glasgow to Liverpool, and the train decided to give up halfway! I missed my connecting train and found myself stranded at a station in the dead of night, all alone.
But, you know what? I mustered up the courage to approach a fellow traveler and asked where she was headed. Lucky for me, she was going to Liverpool too and graciously said, “Sure, you can travel with me. Good company is always welcome.” Phew, I was relieved and grateful to have her as a companion. It’s these kinds of memories that made the challenges of adjusting to life in a new country easier to bear.
Every single day was a learning adventure for me. I was soaking up knowledge like a sponge, not just about textbooks and theories, but about life itself. I learned the art of communication, how to be an effective team player, and what it takes to be a reliable leader. But you know what? The most exciting part was getting to know myself on a whole new level – uncovering my strengths and understanding my weaknesses.
Those classroom discussions? They were like brain workouts that helped me shape my thinking. It’s funny how all that theoretical stuff suddenly clicks when you see it in action and realize the real-world impact. And guess what? Thanks to the Prime EMC events, I didn’t just stop at discussions. I got my hands dirty and put those ideas into action. It’s amazing how it all came together! And when i first stepped into the corporate world, I could see that change in myself, the way I was working a part of team, contributing my ideas and see it come to life. So, here’s to learning, growing, and discovering more about ourselves every step of the way.
You know, some things in life can’t be neatly summed up, but if I had to pick, it would be the treasure trove of memories I’ve crafted with my fellow Prime EMC members from the Class of 2013. These incredible folks have become the rock-solid support system in my life.
One memory that stands out like a beacon is when we rallied together to organize a farewell event for our seniors back in 2016 i think. The preparation phase was a whirlwind of shenanigans and laughter, but we always managed to get things done. After the hard work was over, we’d head back home and dive into those deep, soul-searching conversations at 3 am. Those moments hold a special place in my heart.
Then there are those unexpected friendships that sneak into your life. Like the time a friend walked up to me and said I looked mean to her, right to my face. Next thing I knew, we were the best of friends once she got to know me better.
And here’s a gem from 2015 – I was helping out the club, collecting donations for earthquake victims. During one of those efforts, I met a friend who claimed she knew me from somewhere, even though it was our first encounter. While we were chatting away, an aftershock hit, and we sprinted for our lives. That adrenaline-packed moment bonded us for life.
I count myself blessed and endlessly grateful to have these amazing people in my life. They’ve added so much color to my journey.
Join the Startup Bootcamp 2025 at Prime College, organized by MLRC, and learn from Nepal’s top entrepreneurs!
