Sarit Panda

Results-driven Training & Placement professional with 18+ years of combined experience in university placement, public relations, education management, and media. Currently leading the Placement Cell at Utkal University, with a track record of successfully placing 2,000+ postgraduate students across Science, Commerce, Humanities, and Management disciplines. Expertise in campus recruitment, corporate liaison, employability training, soft skills development, and institutional administration.

Placement Officer - Utkal University - Bhubaneswar, Odisha

(2007-01)

Lead the university Placement Cell, facilitating employment opportunities for postgraduate students across 47 disciplines including Science, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Professional courses.

• Successfully placed 2,000+ postgraduate students across Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Commerce, Management, Computer Science, and other streams.
• Facilitated campus recruitment drives for top-tier companies including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Mahindra Satyam, Tech Mahindra, MindTree, Coca-Cola, Apollo Hospitals, ICICI Securities, Aditya Birla Group, Asian Paints, and Vedanta Aluminium.
• Organized selection processes for government bodies including Intelligence Bureau (MHA), Indian Coast Guard, Indian Air Force, CAPART, and Ministry of Rural Development.
• Played a key role in establishing the Pre-Employment Training Cell at Utkal University.
• Design and deliver employability and corporate readiness training programs for students.
• Coordinate industry-academia interface programs to bridge skill gaps.
• Report directly to the Chairman, P.G. Council and Vice Chancellor; prepare and submit monthly reports to the Governor of Odisha.

Senior Manager – PR & Administration - Imprint Communications - Bhubaneswar

(2005-04 - 2007-01)

Led a team of 15 professionals, overseeing Public Relations, Advertising, Promotions, and Corporate Training divisions.

• Managed PR campaigns for major clients including Microsoft India, Infosys, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Yamaha Sales India, Best Western International Hotels, and ITC's John Players.
• Organized 50+ press conferences and one-to-one media interviews across Odisha.
• Executed product launches for Yamaha Gladiator, Infosys Project Genesis, and Gee Pee Mobile handsets.
• Contributed to the Public Information Campaign and Resurgent India initiative of the Ministry of I&B, Government of India.
• Established strategic tie-ups with leading PR agencies in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore.

Director – Centre for Communication & Management (CCM) - Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan - Bhubaneswar

(2003-01 - 2005-04)

Independently managed branch administration including student enrollment, faculty coordination, and academic delivery for courses in Journalism, PR, Advertising, Marketing, and Management.

• Achieved 100% placement of students in media, corporate sector, and NGOs across two consecutive batches.
• Maintained 100% class continuity with zero class suspensions over two academic years.
• Conducted foreign language programs in French and German.
• Developed and delivered soft skills and competency development programs.

Manager – Public Relations - Karma Creations - Bhubaneswar

(1999-12 - 2003-01)

Led branch administration and managed a team of PR executives to achieve organizational targets.

• Designed and executed PR campaigns including media relations, brand promotions, and content development across Odisha.
• Coordinated bi-weekly publication of Twin City Plus – a regional news publication.
• Built national-level networking with PR agencies, media houses, and corporate clients.

Senior Information Analyst - The Indian Express Online Media Ltd. - New Delhi

(1997-11 - 1999-10)

Independently managed the business desk for Indian Express Morning Digest (IEMD) at New Delhi.

• Compiled, analyzed, and developed business news stories and special sector-based research reports.
• Edited copies for IEMD and developed content for web publishing – one of the early online journalism roles in India.
• Introduced EXIM Review, a fortnightly publication on export and import data.
• Received promotion for outstanding contribution to the business desk.

Visiting Faculty, Department of Development Journalism & Electronic Communication - Utkal University - Bhubaneswar, Odisha

(2002-08)

Teaching Journalism for 9+ years.

Corporate Trainer – Soft Skills and Competency Management

(2002-12)

Master of Business Administration (MBA) - HR - Utkal University (2011)

Master of Arts (M.A.) - Political Science - Utkal University (1992)

PG Diploma - Journalism & Mass Communication - Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan (1995)