Choosing to Work (Or working to choose?)
I HAVE discovered that very few people are really happy at what they are doing and the constant crib from all quarters is that they all "... wish there was a sensible way of making a choice!" The fact is that today we are all like nomads drifting about like a blind camel in the sands of a career desert. We keep coming to the odd oasis only to find that the water (salary) might be good and plentiful, but the food (personal growth) is either not to our taste or not enough or both! Many people wish there were some way to make a change in direction that would lead them to a destination (security) of their dreams. To do this what they all really need is:
A match between their skills and knowledge and the jobs available in the market
A thorough awareness of their own capabilities, vision, mission and strategies, and knowing, especially well, what they cannot do.
To balance obligations (to home, family, creditors and friends) that must be met against what they think they would be happy doing
A reasonably comprehensive understanding of what is available as career options in the local, regional, national and international market that is suited to them
With the variety of jobs available it should be easy, but most young people have no clue about what all the options entail. The big players all offer attractive posts but people rarely question their individual suitability to fit the role they are given. More often than not, this leads to considerable angst and `fitlessness' (the despair that comes from getting the wrong job) Also many young people cannot seem to write a sensible Curriculum Vitae, apply for a job in a manner that will get them called, and to talk about themselves when they do get called to an interview. I had a young man bleating piteously at me two days ago when I had lectured to them about interviews. He said he had passed a selection process in the initial screening, passed the technical test but flunked the interview... why, I asked him. I don't know said he. Since I was at the time conducting mock interviews for his batch I asked him if he was dressed the way he was at the moment, and when he said he was, it all became clear to me! He was looking like something the cat brought in, unshaven, scruffy haircut, unpolished shoes that a tramp would have discarded in disgust and actually smelling as if he had not bathed for several days during a particularly warm summer. I pointed out, as gently as I could, that not too many companies would consciously hire a ragamuffin, and that he came close to being the most ragged of them all!
With that baggage I was lugging around, I decided to find out if everybody in the University was equally clueless or whether I was especially blessed in lecturing solely to the runts in the litter. Wonder of wonders, I discovered it was a pan-institutional phenomena! I spoke to several young people from all over and thought of first putting it all in my own words, but then decided that I would quote them directly. I've changed their names a bit so that they won't die of embarrassment but here's what they said:
My Question: You are doing an MBA and will finish in a couple of months; have you decided on what you want to do?
Krishna Vamanan age 24, graduated in Computer Science, specialising in systems and marketing and student of a prominent B-school.
I am not really sure what I want to do. I could stick to computers but I'm frankly getting a little tired of it. With my stint in B-school, I feel as if I'm not really cut out for a career in hardcore computing. Also the hype in marketing actually depresses me. I think something that allows me to be around people is something that I would like to do. Perhaps HR would be a nice option, but I don't know if I can get anybody to look at my application with my specialisation being so different.
Anjali Bommidipalli, BSc (Biochemistry) doing a Master of Science in Information Technology, from a top university.
I am totally clueless. From childhood up my parents asked me to get cent percent in Maths, Physics and Chemistry. They always told me that languages are useless and that I only needed to pass my history and geography. I find now that I am at a total loss with any people who come to our institution to hire us. Since I can't talk properly and have obviously poor skills in communication, they all pass me by and choose other classmates who can do it better. But in studies I am much better than they are. I find I do not like what I am doing and I hate meeting people since I have to talk to them and I find myself at a loss. What am I going to do? Stay at home and learn how to speak perhaps. (The statement has had to be considerably re-written since the subject's language skills were acutely challenged)
ABHIMANYU ACHARYA
abhi.hyd@cnkonline.com
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