I cant believe that I am done with 10 months in this wonderful campus and as my senior batch packs their bags and bounties I wonder... What does all this add up to?
One of the very few things that I was asked to keep in mind before coming to this school was to make sure that I don't lose my identity (virginity deserves a separate blog :) ) during the course of these 2 years. I think that, that is the best piece of advice you could ever give to anybody entering such a professionally competitive setup. I was lucky to have that advice and I should say that I am lucky enough to still maintain my identity.
So what is Identity? In German you could call it Eigenschaft. (The word Eigen Vectors has its origin from this word). We go through this constant process of change and adjustment and hence most of you might wonder what exactly identity is all about? Well I have long pondered about the same.. what do you mean by preserving one's identity. Its one of those questions which leaves me grappling in the dark. I was finally able to get to terms with this question with this analogy and only time will tell if this is the right kinda one.
Every organization has its own Mission statement and then has a lot of organizational objectives. These organizational objectives can keep changing but the basic purpose of the Firm.. its Mission should not. And every firm tries to stick to its mission. The successful firms are those which change with time but align their actions in line with their mission statement. Similarly, all of us have a basic identity.. which just cant be changed or rather should not be changed. and if we are able to move along with Time keeping in tune with our identity I am sure that there is only one way that we will be able to take and that would be the path of success.
Sadly, I find that a lot of people have lost focus and are lost in the myriad of options and give into circumstantial pressures. They are confused between Means and Ends and end up looking at the ends irrespective of the fact that they are treading a path which seems rosy but is just a trial version of things to come.
Hopefully they will awaken to the situation and take corrective action. But the problem is that the End is so damn attractive that the means no longer matter.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, October 19, 2007
Summer Placements
If I remember right, on Nov 19th there were 1,90,000 people competing with me for the 100 odd seats (OC category) at IIM-B. There was so much pressure and expectation... and it was reasonable..cause all of us were trying to get a toe hold into one of the premier business institutes and once we are there..we can be rest assured of an amazing career... we would no longer have to fight for a job..we would have choices.. we would choose our own destiny...we would be in control... we would dream on......
I made it. Yes, with my limited IQ and EQ i somehow managed to impress the interviewers and along with 263 other people i was poised to create a wonderful life for myself. There was joy around me..it would not be wrong if i said that the moment i got an admission letter..i was JOY... ich werde freude... i somehow took joy along wherever i went... There was never a moment in my life where i felt so important.. I thought i had achieved something 180000 people could not achieve..
But.... i was wrong.. the joy was ephemeral.. the moment i landed here i figured how competition is itself a competition for competition..and the concept of Day 0 was thus born......
If you remember i had said that I thought that I could choose my destiny..well if you could get hold of a rubber as big as this wide universe.then I need it ... cos that thought is completely wrong. My joy was short-lived.
It all started on a Sunday morning (of all days). It was 11-11-07..and the lions were let loose. There was enough to feast on.. and it was just a matter of time till each of us had our share of the booty. I could not sleep the previous day. I went to bed around midnight but caught up with sleep only around 3 am.
My interview began around 10 ish in the morning and by 11 10 I had an offer in hand and I accepted it cos that was my only Day zero call and rules prevented me declining a Day zero offer. The process itself is so complex that there is a large element of luck. Starting from when you interview with a particular firm to the fact that who goes in before you!! But to think of it, placing 100 odd people in less than 10 hours is not that easy and Luck's role is inevitable. To their credit, those who were running the show showed tremendous amount of dedication and commitment. There were instances when by the third day some placement representatives had developed swelling in their toes and cramps. But the best part was, the show had to go on and they performed their part.. It was indeed inspirational.. Most of our perceptions regarding the placement cell underwent a 180 degree change. Yes, there were a few who thought that if not for this random process they would have been placed in better companies. I could have been on of them.. but all i can say is that, it was not by design. The whole process is designed in such a way that there are bound to be casualties. I know it is easy writing when you arent one of them. But the sooner we come to terms with this the better it is.. Nobody said summers was a true reflection of your capabilities.. in fact.. I never imagined that i would become an Investment Banker... My heart said Marketing and I prepared a consult oriented resume..but such is the way of life.. there are things that happen and we have no control over them.. its best to treat them in an objective fashion and learn to move on..
Coming back to people involved in the process.. There was this classmate of mine who was a stud... amazingly knowledgeable and hardworking.. He/She had about 7-8 day zero calls..but he got placed only on the second day of placements.. How could anybody explain such discrepancies? There was one more thing that I realized... Summers is all about Personals!! You need to be effective communicators..and the fact that IIM B is going to place more importance on English skills is a move in the right direction!!!
On the whole placements is a random process where three things play a major role :
1. Your level of Confidence / preparedness
2. Your communication skills
3. A little bit of luck!!
One important thing to keep in Mind during placements is that.. DAY ZERO is not everything.. Companies like PnG went back empty handed cos they did not find suitable candidates for their marketing division. It is very important not to get swayed by peer pressure and choices..yes it is easy to say...but trust me it is very important to stay connected with your inner self.... in fact...somebody once told me... the best thing that could happen to anybody in a B-School is.. to finish the course and come out with your individuality intact.. It is a struggle...a struggle between wannabe images and your own self... and sadly.. its the former that ends up winning in most of the cases... Yes,,,people wont agree..but that is the fact...
I made it. Yes, with my limited IQ and EQ i somehow managed to impress the interviewers and along with 263 other people i was poised to create a wonderful life for myself. There was joy around me..it would not be wrong if i said that the moment i got an admission letter..i was JOY... ich werde freude... i somehow took joy along wherever i went... There was never a moment in my life where i felt so important.. I thought i had achieved something 180000 people could not achieve..
But.... i was wrong.. the joy was ephemeral.. the moment i landed here i figured how competition is itself a competition for competition..and the concept of Day 0 was thus born......
If you remember i had said that I thought that I could choose my destiny..well if you could get hold of a rubber as big as this wide universe.then I need it ... cos that thought is completely wrong. My joy was short-lived.
It all started on a Sunday morning (of all days). It was 11-11-07..and the lions were let loose. There was enough to feast on.. and it was just a matter of time till each of us had our share of the booty. I could not sleep the previous day. I went to bed around midnight but caught up with sleep only around 3 am.
My interview began around 10 ish in the morning and by 11 10 I had an offer in hand and I accepted it cos that was my only Day zero call and rules prevented me declining a Day zero offer. The process itself is so complex that there is a large element of luck. Starting from when you interview with a particular firm to the fact that who goes in before you!! But to think of it, placing 100 odd people in less than 10 hours is not that easy and Luck's role is inevitable. To their credit, those who were running the show showed tremendous amount of dedication and commitment. There were instances when by the third day some placement representatives had developed swelling in their toes and cramps. But the best part was, the show had to go on and they performed their part.. It was indeed inspirational.. Most of our perceptions regarding the placement cell underwent a 180 degree change. Yes, there were a few who thought that if not for this random process they would have been placed in better companies. I could have been on of them.. but all i can say is that, it was not by design. The whole process is designed in such a way that there are bound to be casualties. I know it is easy writing when you arent one of them. But the sooner we come to terms with this the better it is.. Nobody said summers was a true reflection of your capabilities.. in fact.. I never imagined that i would become an Investment Banker... My heart said Marketing and I prepared a consult oriented resume..but such is the way of life.. there are things that happen and we have no control over them.. its best to treat them in an objective fashion and learn to move on..
Coming back to people involved in the process.. There was this classmate of mine who was a stud... amazingly knowledgeable and hardworking.. He/She had about 7-8 day zero calls..but he got placed only on the second day of placements.. How could anybody explain such discrepancies? There was one more thing that I realized... Summers is all about Personals!! You need to be effective communicators..and the fact that IIM B is going to place more importance on English skills is a move in the right direction!!!
On the whole placements is a random process where three things play a major role :
1. Your level of Confidence / preparedness
2. Your communication skills
3. A little bit of luck!!
One important thing to keep in Mind during placements is that.. DAY ZERO is not everything.. Companies like PnG went back empty handed cos they did not find suitable candidates for their marketing division. It is very important not to get swayed by peer pressure and choices..yes it is easy to say...but trust me it is very important to stay connected with your inner self.... in fact...somebody once told me... the best thing that could happen to anybody in a B-School is.. to finish the course and come out with your individuality intact.. It is a struggle...a struggle between wannabe images and your own self... and sadly.. its the former that ends up winning in most of the cases... Yes,,,people wont agree..but that is the fact...
Friday, September 7, 2007
India Vs England on the 5th of sept
This has been the best day of my life at campus. In the sense that, i felt a sense of oneness. We were all cheering for India. and when Uttapa scored the winning shot...........Jubilation!! hugs all around..irrespective of the fact that you know that person or not..pepsi and seven up sprayed all around..(wish there was a bottle of champagne) i am looking forward to the 7th odi in Lords. Hope India wins that also!!!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
First day at IIM-B
The wait was finllay over!! My first day in Campus. First the background.
Set out the prev night in train and reached blore early in the morn. landed in the campus around seven thirty. There was a slight drizzle . With cool breeze blowing on ma face i went and approached the security desk. The security guy was unlike those burly villans in the hollywood movies..he was huge in size and at heart too. he asked us to wait till eight and then contact the hostel office. He said it would be better if we go and have your breakfast by then.
I was looking forward to it cos that was my first meal at IIM-B. I was not disappointed one bit. There was a huge spread laid on the table. Continental and indian. Filled my stomach till i was satisfied and headed towards the hostel office.
The room was in B-Block. Yes, that was a disappointment then. Cos i wanted those really KWEL rooms in L block. Man, they are so damn good. But to think of it now..there is nothing like B Block.
It is one of those very few blocks in campus where there are girls in all floors except one..
It is closest to L^2,Tsepak court and volley court..and the mess. :-)
set up my room..and then chilled out in the evening..
waiting for my first academic day in IIM-B begin.
The room was in B-Block. Yes, that was a disappointment then. Cos i wanted those really KWEL rooms in L block. Man, they are so damn good. But to think of it now..there is nothing like B Block.
It is one of those very few blocks in campus where there are girls in all floors except one..
It is closest to L^2,Tsepak court and volley court..and the mess. :-)
set up my room..and then chilled out in the evening..
waiting for my first academic day in IIM-B begin.
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