Every student out of college has a story to tell.
College days provide some of the best memories for a lifetime and every student carries with him, a lot of dreams, hopes and ambition through these days. However, more often than not, due to bad guidance and lack of exposure, many end up in a fix during placement and end up in wrong times. How to avoid this? Where to go for assistance?
I am no exception. I have my own small story – of failed dreams and unexpected turns.
I was a technically sound student during my MCA days. I had an eye for programming and was interested in coding and the like. Everyone around would show appreciation for my work and their confidence in me only pressurized me to develop my abilities. I was often involved in projects where I had to do my own legwork with the help of the internet and learn on my own from online manuals. Yet, all these only make me grow my potential.
All the knowledge however, did not reflect in my grades. In my enthusiasm for doing practical work, the examinations had taken a back seat. I secured only 54.5%.
I could not attend any placement interview since my score did not qualify for the eligibility cut-off. After ernest pleading with the secretary, the college finally managed to convince one HR to give us the chance. The company was Sapient Corporation which provided an attractive pay package. Of the 482students who wrote their screening test, only 21 finally got selected. I was one of them.
Praise poured in from all corners. Overnight, I became a celebrity in campus. Juniors whom I have never met before came forward to congratulate me. It was a joyous phase of life. I would go to Bangalore, earn well and live a good life…or so I thought.
That year, recession hit the world had. Many lost their jobs. A few like me, however, lost our chance to get a taste of our first, long awaited jobs.
That was way back in 2008. Life took a lot of unexpected turns since then. It was not an easy route but in retrospect today, I am glad for all that has happened. Had I gotten into Sapient Corporation then, perhaps I would have held no value for money today and positively, not learnt more than the limited tasks I would be incharge of along with countless others. I would been a nobody, lost in the crowd.
However, today, I am technically sound. I had to learn and prove myself along the way. I worked in companies, which were not MNCs and hence required me to multi-task and be a self-initiator, all of which helped me grow. I may have not got lucrative pay packages but I reaped so much more in terms of experience and exposure that what I would have got in an MNC.
This is my story. I have my share of lessons that I wish to share with other youngsters who could face similar dilemmas. Many approach me, asking “Anna, I am not able to study” or “I have a just-pass percentile. How will I get placed?”
I want to tell them that it is not the end of the world. I want to tell that that money actually has less value compared to other things. Learning is what matters. So, if you are one such student with doubts and a need for guidance, do contact me. Career confusion or placement indecisiveness, whatever it is, I would be obliged to share my advice with people who might need it.
