How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Helped Samyak Crack the Indian School of Business Interview

“Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helped me challenge my negative thoughts before my B-School interview.”

This is the story of Samyak Bardia, Marketing Executive at YourDOST. After graduating from St. Xaviers College, Kolkata in 2019, Samyak was not sure about what life had in store for him. It led him to feel anxious as all his peers had something to look forward to in their career paths but he lacked the clarity on what he should do.

“I was working at a startup while preparing for my GMAT exam but life was hectic because I had no clarity about what I was doing. Neither was I getting into the places I was applying to nor was I sure if I would ever get into a B school; all this made me feel lost and anxious about the future.”

For someone who always had an intended plan of action, this lack of clarity was a dark period. This was when Samyak had a dream that he founded an online emotional wellness company. He was geared up to take this up and began doing some research on existing organisations, which was when he discovered YourDOST.

“When I came across YourDOST during my market research, I was fascinated to know that there was an organisation in our country that focused on providing accessible emotional wellness support”

Samyak always wanted to do something entrepreneurial, and the lack of clarity after graduation pushed him to understand the importance of mental health wellbeing. He applied to YourDOST after that, landing the position of Marketing Executive.

“I began heading the new initiative’s team. This gave me clarity about where my career was heading. I was using my entrepreneurial skills into something that matters, and it gave me a sense of purpose.”

The main breakthrough moment in Samyak’s life was when he attended the Cognitive Behavioural Workshop (CBT) by Dr Jini Gopinath. CBT helped Samyak become more self-aware about himself and his problems in general. The technique helped him improve his problem-solving skills and work stoically.

“I remember feeling a sense of relief after the workshop. It helped me categorise my thoughts and gave me a strong sense of how I can control my feelings against them. CBT should be taught to kids in schools to improve their emotional well-being.” 

Samyak shared this story about how CBT helped him stay level-headed during his B-School interview:

“B school interviews are nerve-wracking, I have always had an apprehension of interviews where I know there will be smart people in the room but my interview was scheduled the day after the CBT workshop. I remember feeling tense if  I would be the dumbest person in the room. But the techniques I learnt at the workshop really put my thoughts at ease. I began challenging my negative thoughts, my self-doubt just melted away, and I cracked the interview.”

Hosting these workshops helped Samyak realise that what he was going through is common and it is okay to be “not okay”. The workshops helped him widen his idea about mental health and emotional well-being. YourDOST has helped Samyak become more optimistic and self-aware. Through the course of his time at YourDOST, he has become confident with his marketing abilities.

“Every day at YourDOST is a learning experience. I have gotten over my shyness and pessimistic thoughts. My stakeholder management skills have improved a lot. Everybody at work has been extremely supportive of my capabilities and this drives me to be a better person every day.”