It is hard for me to believe that I graduated from SIBM in March 2015, packed my boxes, moved to Gurgaon, and re-adjusted myself into the working world. The professors had told me that things would move fast and they did move so much fast, that it was shocking at times while amusing at others.
The past years have been gratifying, exhausting, challenging, and fulfilling. It was the breakneck pace that made it look like a whirlwind ride. We all have our learning in our short journeys since we graduate and today as I look back, I find rare moments that are a hallmark of my journey.
Business school is like a bubble, you are surrounded by the same people every day for two years. That shared purpose gives everyone an opportunity to form relationships almost quickly. The real world requires building and sustaining relationships and it comes with caveats. You need to work hard to find mentors, friends, and well-wishers who are as invested in your success as you yourself are. I, fortunately, did find many. Also, the transition period from school to real-world really sucks. I still remember the first few weeks after the college was over, sitting in my cubicle, thinking "how am I going to survive here?"
What has helped me to transform my mind-set is to know what I really wanted and then pursuing it with a single-minded focus. I, in fact, wanted two things.
1. First - I always wanted to be a marketer but what type or which industry, I did not know. Fortunately, I got the right opportunity as a Marketer in TCS and I liked it.
I am saying, "fortunately", because, MBA colleges do not give you many options to choose your role and getting the right job does not depend only on your calibre or CGPAs. Luck plays a huge part in landing the right job in your college. What I have found is that Money will most certainly follow if you are good at what you do, and you will definitely be good at something that you like.
2. The second thing I wanted was to pursue my passion - Writing. And I have found that finding time for it has made me better at my job and in life.
A. I have goals like how many stories I want to write before 2019 starts - I have written 5 books since graduation and six are in process. Completing a story gives you such a high and especially when you get great reviews from strangers about your work. This makes my day more rewarding and something to look forward to.
B. I am happy - Isn't it the bottom line?
C. I use the creative part of my brain more frequently - Hence better ideas at work too.
D. Self-Discipline - Pursuing something that doesn't come with a salary makes you dig deeper and work on your self-discipline - Since no one is going to come to you and say why you are not pursuing your hobby/passion more often.
Each year, about a few thousand people graduated from good MBA Programs, and I am fortunate to be one of those people. I don't take that for granted and understand the inherent privilege and responsibility that comes with it. As such, I have developed a mind-set of confidence and humility. Confident because I know that I have a skill set and expertise to envision a unique view and the tools to execute that vision. Humility since I am self-aware enough to know that that the best thing I know is that I don't know everything, and there are plenty of other ways to get the same or better results.
In conclusion, as a college rookie, my "big plan" was to graduate, work for a big company, and get good money, but now it all seems a bit extreme because life is not like something which can be defined by three vague words like graduate, big and good pay-check.