Take 1 Scene 1
This is a story of just another
Indian boy. I was born in a small and sleepy town located at the geographical center
of India. Being the youngest member in the family I was the center of
attraction for the entire family. Life was so simple then, I wish it should
have remained that wayJ.
As some wise man has rightly said “If wishes were horses, men would ride them”.
As soon I turned 2, I entered the
rat race called “Life”, a race which no Indian can avoid (Except the few chosen
once). Once part of the race, life began running a full speed. 14 years passed
and I reached the 10th standard, an “Important Milestone” in a
student’s life. Still unaware of the “importance” of this milestone, I started
looking around to find the “importance”. Finally I realized that I need to
prepare for the “IIT JEE”, the holy grail of exams, for me to stand any chance
of leading this race. Invested 3 years of my life in “JEE” but could not get
through, was a big disappointment for my parents. For the first time in life,
felt terribly bad, when I saw my mom crying, that too because of me. As the
destiny would have it, I landed into one of the “NIT”, supposed the best after
IIT’s. Still there was some fire in the belly to redeem my lost honor. I
started preparing for the JEE in the first year as a result I ignored the life
in first year, the most happening year in an engineer’s life. In the hindsight
I realize, how naïve I was, to think that I can beat the snake without breaking
the stick. Net result could not reach either of the destinations.
Take 1 Scene 2
Realizing my mistake, decided to
concentrate on studies and my efforts paid off as I was amongst the top 5 in my
stream. So far so good, then but a tragedy called “MBA” struck. I got to know about
certain institutes called “IIM” which are equivalent of IIT’s in the field of
management education. With the memories of failure in JEE still fresh in my
mind; I decided to make no mistake this time. I started early this time,
enrolled for class room coaching in Career Launcher, along with couple of my
friends. Initially the classes were fun but as the test series started, I began
floundering in my scores and then started mugging up the study material, as
this was the only I was taught to prepare for the exams. Till now nobody
highlighted the importance of focusing on the concept, instead we were told the
sections which we needed to mug up for the final exams. With such a flawed
technique the results were expected to be disastrous. When I look back on my
JEE preparation, I laugh how foolish I was to think I can clear the exam by just
mugging up the prep books.
Take 1 Scene 3
Reached the final year and
placement season was fast approaching. Being in the not so glamorous stream,
the pressure on getting placed was tremendous. With nobody to guide, I
approached the seniors for advice. It was like asking the blind man to guide
you, finally got on the wrong road. Applied for the first company on campus and
after fighting a daylong battle got placed. It was like winning world war 3.
With the job in hand, MBA went out of focus for some time. I sometimes feel that
I should I utilized my background and created a distinct identity for myself.
Instead I chose to go with the flow and be a part of the million droplets in
the stream, each looking the same. Finally the joining came and it was a
completely new experience for me: First job, first salary. The honeymoon lasted
for few months, but soon realized that this is not place where I want to be. So
now efforts were on to find a way out. Again “MBA” came for my rescue. Efforts
started on war footing to somehow get out of the shit I was in. TIME, CL, IMS
etal. Tried every tricks of the trade to get out of the mess but could not
somehow clear it. Professionally life hit the nadir; finally destiny came to my
rescue and got admit from some tier 2 b school. At that point in time, I was in
such a bad shape that even if I had got admit from any XYZ school of business,
I would have taken it.
Take 1 Scene 4
Being a long time member of
pagalguy, I had read many articles about life in B School. How B School grads
slough it all night completing some “Strategy” assignments. With such a rosy
picture in my mind I entered my new home. But soon, I realized that whatever is
shown the glossy brochures of these so called “Top ranked” B Schools is not
100% true. When I was working in my previous organization, I had always fancied
the role of Human Resource manager, and I always wanted to be one myself. So
with that in mind decided to focus on all different profiles except IT for my
summer internship. This was probably first time when I was so sure in my life.
I finally landed up at the HR division of one of the most reputed PC maker in the
country. Summer internship was a great learning experience but real trouble
started when I had to choose my electives for second year. During the
internship, I realized that although important, HR is a support function and
the final authority still lies with the business. Being an introvert I realized
that I cannot take up the sales job, hence marketing was ruled out. The only
options were finance and operations. And I chose finance as I felt that is one
thing which I would like to study.
Take 1 Scene 5
With the effect of recession
still in play, everybody including the seniors advised us to not waste the IT
experience and take some IT electives, as it may help in interviews with IT
companies. During this whole thing, I was exposed to this new thing called
“consulting”. From whatever research I did, I realized that management
consultants some high flying people, working with top executives in shaping the
strategies of the companies. The whole
description of job was pretty impressive and attractive. I quickly made my
target list, containing the Mckinsey’s and the BCG’s of world with the aim of
getting a job into one of these. But soon my dream came crashing when I realized
that only a privileged few (read ABC) get a chance to interview for these companies.
Now the search began to find companies which doing something which is remotely
connected with consulting. Finally, I stumbled upon my current company. During
my background research I found that my current company was engaged in the field
of business consulting. Although competed with the infy’s and TCS’s of the
world they preferred to name Accenture, McKinsey as their peers. Some wise man
said “All that Glitters is not gold”. So true. One thing I learnt the hard way,
never go by anything on its face value. Dig deep to uncover the truth, trust
the facts. Fell prey to the marketing propaganda of the organization and also
the hoopla created by my peers about the cutting edge work done by this firm. I
guess this is what happens when students do have faith in their Alma Mater’s
brand power. They tend to take whatever is thrown in front of us. I guess this
is what differentiates IITians and IIMians (not everybody is included in this)
from the rest.
Take 1 Scene 6
After I joined my XYZ consulting,
I was allotted the retail and Consumer goods vertical. Initially as consultant my
work mostly involved preforming benchmarking, preparing presentations,
frameworks and pitch documents etc. Soon I realized, the real strategy work
which XYZ showcased during the placement presentation was formed 1% of the
total work done by the organization, which only the privileged few would get to
do. The rest of us would need to do the donkey work. With this realization, efforts
started on war footing to somehow get out of the shit I was in, I got a sense
of déjà vu about this whole thing. But this time I had decided to give it my
200% and began actively scouting for new opportunities. The search is still on
and I hope find something soon.
With MBA done and age catching
up, the pressure to get married is soon building up. My parents have been very supportive
till now and I know they will be in future, but with peer, societal pressure
building up, I know they will buckle soon. I only hope that I get my things in
order before they give in.
In the hindsight I really wish I
could change some of the things if get a second chance.
- The whole system till now have taught me to recognize what I don’t want but never taught me to recognize what I actually want.
- Indian education system is such that it conditions people to play safe thus making them risk averse. I believe this is what is causing the rat race. We need to give a chance to the students to decide what they actually want to do.
- There is not rocket science for performing any job unless, it requires some specific knowledge.
- The companies also need to be more open in accepting applications from people for diverse background. Same MNC accept people from different backgrounds in US and EU but when it comes to India they need IIM, IIT etc.
- Don’t be afraid to fail, If Edison had abandoned his fight after first effort we would have never seen light today (read electricity).
Finally I
really thank god for giving me such loving and caring parents. Without their
unflinching support I would have never made it so far on my own.
A round of
thanks to all my friends for teaching me so many things.
(Disclaimer: I, by no means
intend to criticize any of the organizations mentioned in this article.)
