What Next

What Next?? 

I’ve faced this question too many times and almost every time, I had only two words to say ‘No idea’. I chose to join IIT coaching classes ages back just because one of my good friends did. To be frank, I did not have the faintest of idea what IITans did. I had no clue where I was heading. I have no clue why I chose ‘Electronics and Telecom’ either. Back then, I could have selected any branch and it would’ve really made no difference. 

The ‘Go with the flow’ mentality makes you feel comfortable sometimes. You feel safe when you know that you are heading in the direction which thousands of students follow every year. You know you are assured of a job which will ensure safety. It may not necessarily be the thing you like, but like swimming, you learn to float on the water first and then when you are safe, you start swimming.

 A couple of years back when I was sitting in my college canteen and chatting with a senior of mine, he made a really interesting comment. He said ‘Some people climb the mountain too early and when they reach the top, they have no idea what to do’. Isn’t it true? Haven’t you come across people who choose the path of MS or MBA after engineering just for the sake of reaching heights? If you ask these people,’ why MBA?’ they will fumble. 

It is not wrong to be free-flowing, the flexibility is amazing and you eventually start liking what you do. But it is terrible if you end up not liking what you do. That dream job of yours which has caught your attention because of the fat paycheck may give you more headache than money. The MBA in finance which you chose purely on the basis that this particular college is famous for Finance will lead to you doing things that you have no interest in. 

After coming to US, I’ve learned to be brave and pursue what I really want. There is one course in my department which is ‘one-of-a-kind’ in all of US and there is stiff competition to get that one. I had the opportunity to choose that course but I chose against it. I will not end up learning something that does not interest me. Companies are not classified as ‘Dream’ and ‘Normal’ for the amount of money they pay. 

I know this took a lot of time, but now I know exactly what I want to do ahead in life. Luckily for me, that’s going to be my next step, however, it wouldn’t have made a difference if there was a transition step in between. The destination is what makes the journey worthwhile. 

After all this ‘hoopla’ a couple of years down the line I may figure out this is not the thing I really like. That will be the time to write another fresh blog.