Where am I heading?! November 2, 2006
Posted by Simba in : Life Marvels, Frivolous Me , trackbackI know it has been a while since I wrote something significant. So, today, I thought I should stop by my blog and see what I can do with it. It is amazing how things take priority in life. Long ago, I would ‘live’ on this blog constantly thinking about ’stuff’ I can throw in here & increase the counter hits. But now, I guess I am almost on the verge of giving up writing! Huh?! Nah, but you will definitely see me getting more lazy around these parts 
I have re-started doing my job search, except that it is coming with half the interest and quarter the effort compared to last year. No, I still need a job, now lets not have any doubt about that one! I was talking to a good friend of mine a couple of weeks back and he asked “what is your alternate arrangement if you don’t get a job?” Phew, someone asking me sucha a direct question right on my face is something I still am not used to! So, my only answer was - Well, I need to get a job & there is no other alternative! Of course, it is challenging and I am not being very focussed at this point. I just had an interview yesterday which went ok but there are time when things just don’t feel right.. I still haven’t heard from them but well, I guess I have a gut about it!
But when I start thinking about the job scenario & some of the challenges, I am spooked about the amount of work ahead of me with the time running out. Seriously though, once I look back and see the quantum of things I have achieved over the last couple of years to get to where I am, I am not worried about the coming months. I know, it will be ok and I might actually survive. But, there is this deep nagging feeling that keeps reminding me of the true reason why I came so far and why I have worked so hard - Well, of course a good job with a good pay would do me a world of good as I don’t even remember the last time I stepped into a huge store to exhaust my pay chek - but I did have a good job with a good pay! My MBA was a reason to get a hold on my life, achieve my dreams, work with some of the best minds, challenge myself everyday and stress out every hour… but more to do something that I really really want!
So, that obviously takes me to the next question - what do I want to do? There was a time, not so long back, when I would keep wondering about how people would get brilliant ideas to start companies. I failed to see any gaps in the existing scenario and didn’t think I had it in me either to venture that way or be innovative! I always wanted to do something but never knew ‘what’. And I would just be amazed at things people achieve but I guess it is all one big learning experience - Life - It teaches you some of the best lessons! At this point, I have thought about so many things that I can do here, or back home in India,or internationally in many countries - I am constantly wondering how things would be different with this product or that service. I really want to do many of these things and not for the fame (if there is any!) or for being ‘cool’, but for the challenge associated with them.
Yeah, I know it is a great thinking but well, who will repay my loan in that context. As a small entrepreneur I really cant expect mega earnings for at least couple of years i.e ‘at-LEAST’! So, may be like the rest of the herd I should be a little more serious about job hunt and get a decent job which can pay me decent enough for me to pay off a decent amount of debt! But at the same time, I wish I could be involved with a non-profit because that kind of work fascinates me but, the inner knock comes through - How will I repay the loan and Who will process my work visa? See these are the some of the questions which haunt me through harrowed hallways and upsets me so many hours in a day & so many days in a month! So, for time being I want to be pratical & pragmatic - Go ‘for-profit’ - Fashion Retail interests me a lot but I need some one to get me in! Consulting is another great profession to be in and though the travel would get to me, I could be a good consultant but hello, who is calling me for an interview? Finance major sounds cool too but where do I start..Should I be picky about the industry or function? Wow - I think more education just makes life more complicated 
I think I am done with nagging for today and for a week from now, so take a breather! Get some hot chai - You are not alone. Each of us deal with some kind of stress, either taken upon voluntarily or bestowed upon!
Comments»
hello
keep trying; do not worry; focus your attention on the job hunt and am sure u will land in a job; it may not be a joy u may really enjoy to start with;
i am 57 , indian national, FCA FCS and believe me if anyone tells you that he really enjoys the job what he is doing then he is certainly lying; u may look at angelangie2008.blogspot .com where she has written about the problems of consulancy work; every job, to start with will be interesting to do but after sometime will become boring and monotous; it is upto to you to keep the spirit going; this is reality of life.
If u r having a God father u may get into a job of your thinking because of influence;
if no God father, u have to accept what u get and start earning money and then analyse yourself as to what u should do; ‘ Beggers cannot be choosers”
is a famous dictum.
have patience, keep looking, with God’s blessings u will land in a job.
all the best to you.
your writings are excellent info for future MBA students. keep writing; u have potential , belive in yourself u will come up
as Apple chief closed his speech in stanford with these words:
STAY HUNGRY, STAY FOOLISH.
pl listen to his video speech u will get back all the confidence u need.
BELIVE IN YOURSELF, YOU WILL SUCCEED.
all the best
regards
lakshminarasimhan
chennai
What are the problems you are facing in getting a job
I don’t think I can give u the same wise words as Mr.Lakshmi Narasimhan above!! All I can say is you’ve done great so far…am very proud of you! keep going at it and am sure u’ll hit the pot of gold very soon…
Good luck and godbless!
Hey girl! Is it really so difficult to find a job there after MBA?
Thanks Mr.N for your kind words. It really is encoraging.
For others - LOL, as I have said, MBA just brings in more complications as you start thinking more
.. And, I guess, it is just not a job! 
I think it is too much choice or perceived choice that MBA brings in your life. Choosing among tens of options for career is not an easy choice. Finally narrowing it down to your core competancy makes it a bit easy.
Hey Simba,
Hope u still remem me…
I keep visiting your blog every 2-3 months to get a feel of the realistic picture…
As far as i know you ( thru ur blog & thru the NASEOH meets), i know you will make it … Just keep walking [& roaring
]
Would there be any fun if life had been easy … so enjoy the journey.. someday this all will make sense
All the best
Hang in there, girl! Getting there was the hard part. This is jus a blip.
hello
i have taken the following from LBS 2008 blogger about career choices(oct12,2006) Lot of MBA students are not able to decide which way they have to walk. u r not alone.
all the best to you.
lakshminarasimhan
chennai
Career Choices:
I am really struggling with career decisions at this point of time. One week i have a view and then i read something and the view gets refined, i speak to someone and it gets refined even further. Finally the whole thing gets transformed upside down.
Now you could argue whether it was refined or turned hotch potch but that’s for another time.
As you may well know there are a few choices:
A-) Industry: Out for now.
B-) Consultancy: Out for now
C-) Investment Banking: This is where the interesting part starts. You could look at it as corporate finance and S&T broadly. No idea of which one is preferable. Getting in is tough for top 4 banks.
D-) Private Equity/VC: Tough to break into. Too many marginal players. Payout time considerably longer. Partner track difficult to obtain. Industry facing an evident shakeout.
E-) Hedge Funds: This is the current favourite.
The important part is what i would love/like to do. I like trading but the problem is i have been doing currency trading for the last 2 years and have managed to loose 4500 Euros until now. Thank you FXCM. Don’t think i will last too long or will do well. ( i understand that individual trading is different from instt. trading but still…)
I like idea of M & A activities, but i am deficient on the linguistic front, plus operating on different turf. The hours are a drain as well. And while this is going on i am heavily preparing to make a foray in investment management by trying to get a certification. This without any clue of where i want to end up. So career choice pretty much resembles a stew. May be i should sit for everything and go where i get an offer. The most stupid thing to do but well at least someone else makes that choice for me.
posted by MBA Pirate 0 comments links to this post
‘”’you have come so far,you have worked so hard”'’..
swalpa wait maadi..trust in god and do your best…
Thanks all for your patient comments! Thanks for taking time off to write them…
Cheers
good Simba and lakshminarasimhan
your conversation is very useful not only to simba but to all
i had similar situations often in my life but we have to overcome
read the “power of positive thinking” by Dr.Vincent peale
try all avenues
your day will come and pray god to enjoy that happiness soon
raman narasimhan
dubai