The worth of an MBA - or the lack of it

MBA is a strong Brand in itself. Thanks to the all time high packages IIMs and some other B Schools attract and also to the inflated claims of the rest, MBA has acquired a reputation of being a sure shot way to luxury. It is a known fact that in our country there are some very good institutions and the rest are average. While the former group has really been instrumental in building the brand, it is the latter which has tried to piggyback on the former's efforts. And so the number of institutes from all fields have risen exponentially. The bad has moved to the average and the average to good. But this movement is only in terms of reputation and that too only for the general public. I am not sure whether the corporates think in the same way. Why I am dwelling on this issue is because, i am fed up of listening to the oft repeated statements from my family,friends and acquaintances that a great job awaits me. I am not sure whether all of them genuinely believe in their statements but still its like someone giving you an electric shock. Just to clarify, I personally do not have problems with my current state since i didn't have a better option. I am optimistic about a good return.
During the last 6 months or so, I have watched and experienced a lot of "MBA culture", seen & heard about more than 20 "one of the top 10 B schools in the country". The picture is really bad. People work hard to clear CAT, leave there jobs of 2-3 yrs, spend in excess of 10 lacs, a loan - all with the hope of a big fat paycheck. They start with a dream which starts to fade very soon with the summers and then with the final placements of the previous batch. Whatever remains is wiped out the next year with his/her placements. Its not that all end up in bad places. Very few get a great return, most will get decent returns. But this decent thing is no way near the good or great thing they expected. So,for people who had chosen this particular institute over other will repent not choosing otherwise. The same happens for the other person as they say "The grass is always greener on the other side".
What I mean is that one should clearly evaluate the options. Things change and so has the value attached to a degree. Mostly I have seen people to go for education to escape from a bad job. But they end up in a better paying bad job. With the ever high fees being demanded by institutes and the government in no mood to put checks on this, it is really unfortunate to suggest calculating ROI for investing in education. But its a harsh reality. And so my advise to anyone who wants to pursue higher education is to think hard for the reasons. But do remember that these words come from a highly indecisive, confused person :)

If only....

Its been a year since I appeared for CAT 2008. I vividly remember, how I had gone into the examination hall free from any pressure or nervousness. It had nothing to do with my preparation level or confidence. It was just that at that time I had some other plans and they seemed to be very much on track to frution. Later though, as many people know, CAT was the one that worked for me. Many people like me who somehow could make it through had joined some B-School or the other in pursuit of a better career ahead. I am not going to evaluate the decision but my purpose here is to deal with another question. What would have life been like, if things would have taken a different turn that day and for the following days.
I am pretty sure that everyone( or maybe most) goes through the mental process of visualising how different things would have been, had they not taken a particular decision or acted in a different manner. Its really strange when we get a lot more ideas about the situation at that time, than what we thought of then. I guess, that is the main difference in Real Time decision making and introspection. "If Only" - that is the thought which has crossed my minds numerous times. If only had I behaved differently, had I said "Hi" or had I said "sorry", had I taken this decision or had taken the inititaive, had I been more sincere or worked harder, had I said this instead, had I been there or had i done this or that...and what not. The list goes on. But finally I have developed a belief that this particular dilemma is what characterises life. If we would have acted differently, we would have still thought about still another option. Even if we had an ideal, fully predictable life, then how dull would it be. I mean, this uncertainity is what makes life so exciting. I guess this is why we are how we are.
It does not mean that we do not look back and try to analyse things. Because by doing that, can we discover our mistakes and then try and improve. That is what experience is!!!! It is really tough to just forget the past and don't feel sorry for your mistakes or misfortunes. And maybe that is not possible. But, we must take a call on whether to keep looking back or move forward. As for me, I have realized that you can never predict life. So utilize all the options you have today. Atleast that is what I have been through...Who knows what works tomorrow!!!!!

Finally!!!!!!!!

Finally its here!!!! My laptop was delivered to me today, just over 3 weeks after I ordered it. That also makes the time between the crash of my last system and the arrival of new one a full month. I had to complete projects and presentations in the last 2 weeks or so and that was the time i needed the laptop the most. Just before that, did my laptop of 4 years desert me. Usually a Dell laptop takes 7-10 days for delivery, but in my case it took much more than that. I could easily see Murphy's law coming into play. The wait was really painful. It seemed to me that the system was coming from their head office and hence the delay. It was strange though since Dell is a case study often referred to in B-Schools for their effective supply chain. Had my friends not shown mercy on me and allowed me to use their systems, I would have suffered from depression. Thanks my friends.
Other than that, we are having our end term exams. I don't know whether technically 2.5 months qualify for being called a term though. But one thing has changed in me. Now I enjoy exams. Like the new Surf Excel advertisement which says

Daag achche hote hain

, I say

Exams achche hote hain

. Its not that suddenly I have become very studious. Its just that the course load is not much. And since its exams, we don't have classes or those extracullicular crap. SO one can enjoy full(more than that, actually :)) sleep, both in the day as well as night. Add to it the luxury of Open Book Exams :):) .
Have my last exam tomorrow, so I'll just slip of to studies now...Bye n tc

A mechanical Life

I hope everyone has at some point seen a machine running. It just keeps on repeating the process, the flow is maintained throughout. It just keeps the pace until there is some bottleneck. Don't get me wrong..My intention is not to explain any technical term. Why i mention it is bcoz these days I find my life a lot like that..It has all become so mechanical..Get up in the morning, run to College,attend lectures, return back, read newspapers,articles,books and stuff, projects and all extra curricular crap..then go to bed...And after all this, do not get to sleep well. My sleep has always been a very important thing in my life. I have come this far in my life without compromising on my sleep. But now, it just can't happen. The situation is so grave that I couldn't sleep during the last weekend also :(...Sometimes, I pity myself - and regret the moment I decided for an MBA... There are so many things we ignore in our lives...But someone told me that we find time for things we really want to do...
So, enough is enough. TOday, I have decided to stop all work and sit with friends, chat with them and just have a break... No work today...Just like the good old days...ANd then I am gonna sleep ...without any alarm clock to bug me in the morning....It just reminds me of the rains..It has been raining here for the last few days(Thank God..)...There used to be days where I would just step out in the rains and enjoy it..But it hasn't happened this time. I just watch the rains from my window and miss them...But things are gonna change from this day..It has started raining and I need to go back to life...Wish you happy rains and ENJOYY!!!

Of bad and unexpected events

Its confirmed now.... My laptop has reached a stage where it cannot be repaired :(...
As far as I know it had a bypass surgery but then its kidneys gave up...The doctor tried to keep it on life support but eventually they gave up....Thus, what my friends used to call a vintage piece does not exist now!!! A few of my friends had been regularly inquiring about its health and so I thought i would put that here... Its literally the end of an era.. It was really very old and such that its spares are not available now...And technically the main force behind me liking it was its OS --WinXP.. We are living in the times of Vista---a totally cumbersome,irritating and useless OS....But now I am left with no other option but to go for it...Though I hope to move to Windows 7 which is due in next 2 months.....
Moving to other things the past one week have been very dramatic. A lot of unexpected things happened to and around me...Add to it the constant demands of college life....I don't know whether we are being taught anything or being trained to be busy....Just today one of the faculty has asked us to submit the project on Thursday...That is 2 days from now...That too when it is quiz season here and couple of extracurricular events which I intend to participate into...
I think a lot of incoherent thoughts have been written...So I won't waste any more of your time (if you haven't closed this page till now) and turn to my project!!!!

System crash!!!!

Last Thursday my laptop just refused to start. I had shut it down while going to college and when i returned it just lay there...without any signs of life....I have always had an affinity to the computer starting with my PC in school to college to the laptop. It has been like a friend for me and i have rather spent a lot of time on it....exploring it.....infact bugging it in the process. I am in a different world when i am with it.... For years i had been an unauthorised service agent for my friends systems....It has been a wonderful association....
So the relationship is deep. And so it pains me that such a thing has happened. I tried to diagnose the problem but to no avail..I also went to the so called specialists but still they have not been able to decode it....And this has caused sleepless nights for me....Suddenly, something is missing from my life....Today they kind of got a breakthrough when they could find the root cause of the problem...But the treatment has still not been administered....Maybe tomorrow they'll operate on it and i can get back my lappy -- all hale and hearty-- in a couple of days....Just can't wait to get in back....
As I sit here in the computer lab of my institute and share the pain and distress, I just hope to get it back....Some have advised to move to a newer version....But i believe that my system still has life left in it.. and so the transition is not possible... My friends will vouch for the fact that how caring and concerned i am about this machine...Its been a tough weekend and is still going on....Please pray that in the end it gets through...Because they say "Alls well that ends well"!!!!

The art of Negotiation

The other day I saw the movie "Thank You For Smoking". My friends had showered considerable praise on the movie and i had been trying to sneak some time for it. And indeed it was a great movie. The protagonist in this case happened to be a lobbyist whose job was to defend/promote the firm he was representing. Whats the big deal in this.....This is pretty challenging when you represent the tobacco industry. To defend cigarettes when its ill effects are widely known. And guess what!! he succeeds and in a very convincing way. The idea portrayed is that you should have reason for what you do, you should analyse each argument rationally and then decide what to do...Its like thinking in all directions.
The key was his confidence and reasoning skills, the negotiation and convincing power. The sheer panache he displayed in not only promoting his firm but also thrashing the opposition was awesome. And that makes one wonder how to reach such levels? I would very well want to be learn the art. It really is an art...It is more important for a person like me, the so called "Budding Managers". You can literally sell any point if you have that skill. It would help you in managing conflicting segments of your job. I would not try to delve into the moral implications of this since it really is manipulation but yes if you look at it objectively,then it is a great asset to have in the dynamic business environment we work in. What I need now is to look for a teacher who can teach me this art. And yes I would recommend that you go and see the movie, especially all the managerial aspirants.....

First Resignation

It was the last step of my clearance process. I went to the admin to submit my ID card and the drawer key. As soon as the process was cleared on the portal, I jokingly asked the lady whether I can go inside? She laughed out loud and said "Now you can only go out". This was the moment I realized that I was actually losing something. The company I used to work for since the last 20 months was no more mine.
It felt strange... As I stood near the main entrance of my office, I could see the entire time I spent there. It was good..In fact it was great. When I look back at the time I spent as an "associate", I realize that I have only gained a lot of things- Many important lessons, both professional and personal. Even though I did not face any dilemma while resigning but still it was quite an experience. I mean first job,first salary, first appreciation, first resignation and what not. It was totally fulfilling and it will always be special.
I have seen many people complaining about the company, the location but I fail to understand what stops them from quitting. If they feel that they deserve better, they are welcome to go. I mean cribbing about your current state is just not right. No one, and I mean that, controls anyone. You are as free as you feel.
In life nothing is constant and you need to take risks. That is what I have learned. No risk no success and so this big step. But I am confident that things will work out fine. But more than anything I am grateful to the organization. It was a wonderful time I spent there. Thanks to the great organization and its members. Best of Luck!!!

Plan - Does it exist??

Wisdom says that we should have a plan and work on it. Planning is very important for success.
True that it may sound to us but this whole "plan" thing has been an enigma to me. I do not remember one instance in my life where I have followed or have been able to follow a plan. It has all been so unpredictable. The things I have chased have always been running away, instead the things not in the plan or things I didn't care about have stayed back. That indeed has been the irony of my life and I believe of many others...Looking at it optimistically would say that still something is achieved. Rightly so!!

But then what about the plan, what about the apparently rational decisions one takes? Does all that matter is that stroke of fortune that differentiates between a good and a bad plan - Success means good plan and vice-versa. Sometimes it seems to me that what is required is to sail with the wind. Things will happen automatically.
Its just that these things add to my indecisiveness and undermine the very reason or importance of the decision making process. It is very difficult for me to decide whether the approach is wrong or there is no such thing as approach. We need to learn from our mistakes but how do we know if its a mistake??
Maybe a mentor will help me sail through..Anyone interested!!!

The M - Bomb

We all live in an age where 'Terrorism', 'War', 'Weapons' are the buzz words. No day can pass without a reference to/of these. And during this phase we all have heard or read about a lot of bombs; sophisticated and simpler ones. And all are proof of the developments of science....
But the one I am talking of is no where related to these. It is something that has always been around, everyone knows of it but does not react unless faced with it. Its the MARRIAGE bomb. Forgive me if this appears to be belittling the great institution that it is. But i do not have the remotest intentions to do so. And as mentioned earlier, we only react when we face it.
I am living far from my home, working in a decent firm and one can say - fairly satisfied and happy. Marriage didn't figure in my immediate plans. In fact, it is a non - issue for me. But last week when my parents came to visit me, they shocked me by dropping the M - Bomb. Until this point I was totally relaxed. Some of my friends have been facing this problem from their parents. But since I have an elder brother who is also yet to get married, I was totally self - assured that at least for a couple of years I was safe. As it turned out, I was mistaken.
Well, I have my reasons for not being so enthusiastic towards marriage as my parents and relatives are. I have just started my career and don't find myself in a position to add another responsibility on me. Yes we do live in a society where marriage is very important and people do get married at this age irrespective of their professional status. But i think otherwise. Personally I don't feel mature enough to take on a commitment which is supposed to be for a lifetime. Maybe I am commitment- phobic.
My parents gave me a lot of reasons and to be honest they had very solid reasons(with examples). But I feel every person has a different situation and now is definitely not the time. The fact that one of my very good friends had a sudden change of heart and plans to get married after completing his studies, other one is getting married very shortly have not helped my position. In fact it has kind of confused me. I do not get how can persons who are exactly my age feel ready to take such a big step and go on to the next level and I feel jittery about it.
I am sure a lot of people of my age would be facing a similar situation and dilemma. And no one has a solution to this. As for me, I still remain opposed to the idea. But you never know what future holds for you :)

Take a break !!

2008 was quite an eventful year... Both in good ways and bad ways. But certain events towards the end of the year have completely overshadowed what happened throughout the year. Obviously, we are all very angry and disgusted with the terrorist attacks and there has been no quarter in the world which has not condemned or commented on them. And the painful memories just refuse to go -- or should i say that they are not allowed to go!!!

The endless politician bashing, blame games, condemnations just refuse to end. I totally agree with the critics that there were loopholes, problems and what not. And strong will and action is needed. But this statement has been repeated endless times. Raj Thackeray did not carry on his propaganda during the attacks and all such stuff has become a cliche....Why I am saying this is because these days I read the same news everyday, even the same editorials and coulmns in the newspapers. And mind you some of them are prominent writers. Come on man, take a break. I doubt there would be any one in this country, infact the world who would not be aware of the events that happened. What is the point in printing the same thing everyday just to sensationalize the issue or fill pages. I have tried very hard to find something new in these columns which was not written in the previous posts but i failed.

Everyplace is filled with problems including our country. Nothing will change overnight. Steps are being taken and they need time to bear fruit. So instead of instigating people, give them something good to read, something to cheer about. Pain is best forgotten. The administrators need our support. One of my friends used to say "If you can't speak good, shut your mouth". I think that's a good advice to start with.