IIMC Dhenkanal is not a college it's an experience

Eligibility of the course: Should be a Graduate/ for General category age limit is 25 years on 1st August of the year one is applying. Application form can be found at Institute's official website iimc. nic.in The application process for the PG diploma course commenced last year in July 2021.

I chose this course as it gives hands-on training and makes one ready to join the media industry. There are many visiting faculties who usually stay on the campus for about a week. Professionals from various fields including communication and academics teach at the campus. The teaching method is a mix of classroom teaching through the use of digital technology, and lots of activities and group work. Term exams were held on time and exams are easy if one's basics are clear.

This is a nine-month course and students are placed before last term exams. All media companies including Times group, CNN news 18, ANI, Business Standard, Indian Express, and PTI visit the campus for hiring. The majority of the students are placed based on their skills and tests held with respective companies

The fees structure is affordable when compared to other private colleges. Also, the value that this degree adds to one's CV is totally worth the cost. I was placed as Trainee Content Editor at ETV Bharat, Hyderabad with a stipend of Rs 20,000 per month

IIMC Dhenkanal's foundation day is celebrated on 17th Aug every year with great fervour. A cultural programme is organised by the students who also get to know more about one another in the process. Students perform drama, dance and sing, they also showcase their organisational skills by managing the programme. The cultural programme is preceded by a foundation day debate competition, prizes of which are awarded on programme day. IIMC Dhenkanal's library is situated on its lush green campus. It has books on history, politics, autobiographies, subjects of journalism and the latest books by popular writers. My favourite was"Neither a hawk nor a dove" that I read in the reading room which is a separate section. The classroom is air-conditioned with a comfortable seating arrangement. In house television and radio, presentation is available for students which is part of daily group activity. Also, a group has to publish newspapers daily. Campus life is simply awesome and full of diverse activities

One room is shared by two students. Two single beds, study tables and almirahs are provided in each room. If you are lucky, you can get a room whose window opens towards the outside. There are separate hostels for girls and boys. Both hostels have a common room where students can have parties on weekends and also celebrate their birthdays together. Meal quality is good. Breakfast consisted of parathas, sandwich, poha, pakoda, vada. Lunch includes roti, sabzi, chawal and daal. Same is for dinner. Students can also ask to exclude or include certain items if there is a consensus. Non veg items are also available on certain days. Tea is provided twice a day, in the morning with breakfast and in evening, usually after c Hostel is allotted to everyone at Dhenkanal campus, process is very simple and takes 15-20 minutes once you arrive at the campus.

The interview was held at the IIMC campus in Delhi. The interview panel comprised four members. Questions based on general awareness and current affairs were asked. I read newspapers daily and kept myself updated with current happenings. Tip- do prepare international news and the last or upcoming election.