Paradigm shift of my Corporate journey!!!!
I was an average student at school and college having ordinary dreams of finishing studies and getting a good job to make a better living for myself and my family. Unexpectedly , Lehman Brothers, one of the US Investment banking giant, had come to our college for Campus placements. I went through the GD and PI and was among the 8 out of 150, who got selected. Suddenly the sacks that carried books changed into a handbag carrying business diaries and pens. I entered the huge, well furnished corporate office at Powai, met all the big shots.I enjoyed the elite treatment. I started feeling like a celebrity in that ambience.We had amazing induction programme at Renaissance followed by training at a classy Resort at Madh island. I couldn’t believe my eyes that things were happening at such a fast pace like in reel life. It was my first job and I was apprehensive as well as thrilled. As I started working, I was pretty satisfied with the salary and weekend offs. I used to save most of it and spent a lot on shopping without thinking about further ado. Everything was so new and live. I felt like I was dropped into a huge ocean and I have too much to swim all alone. I never felt broke as there was a sense of security in my mind. Life was pretty right in my opinion. There was nothing more ideal than my life for me. People actually raised their eyebrows with pride when I said I was associated with Lehman Brothers and I, as a baby in corporate did not know the might of this Giant!
I had many people in my team who worked closely with me and of course a boss. There were some tasks that were expected out of me which were termed as ‘my goals’ now and during school and colleges it would be called as allergic term called “score”. I was never used to something like that.The sight of my boss would send shivers to my spine. However, after spending some good time, he turned out to be my mentor. I earned many good friends at work, who stood by me through my thick and thin. Every day passed by quickly and I got accustomed to that fast speed, hence carried myself each day as it came. It was only when I looked at the calendar on my birthday last year, I realized that three years just flew and I transformed as a young girl at 21 to a grown up woman of 24.
Suddenly, I took a decision to quit my job and get back to studying further. I never realized that I was addicted to the most tempting thing in this world; Money. I went ahead with my decision. A month passed by very well as I got the much needed rest since I got into a job.I ate food on time, had a good time watching TV and spending time with my fiancé and family. But after a couple of months, on my pay day, I suddenly waited for my bank account to reflect the salary, which was now meaningless. I felt empty. i could feel the vaccum of helplessness.There were some trivial instances which reminded me of my three and half year’s journey! A series of emotions, which cannot be described, started flowing into my mind. When I passed by Hiranandani gardens, I used to get nostalgic, thinking about the lovely moments I spent with friends in the Break out area, stupid gossips, handsome men we gawked crazily at, sentimental talks with my lunch buddies and pathetic jokes we cracked to bust the work stress. I missed the food we ordered on birthdays, Donuts from ‘Mad over Donuts’, the fun activities I participated in, deadlines that kept me awake even after 12 hours of working. The “Happy weekend” exclamation we shared while leaving office on Fridays, the wait, full of excitement, of the “salary credited” text on the cell phone. When I was at work, I never got an off on any Hindu festivals as I was supporting Europe and US region. And after quitting, I was at home for every festival but the enthusiasm dimmed. At work, whenever there was mail circulated about Traditional day or Diwali Day or any other special occasion, I was all ready to be decked up and look as beautiful as possible. I even used to imagine myself as how I would look on those days. I was always surrounded by someone or the other at work. People either called me for coffee or just dropped by my desk for a casual chat. I never felt alone as the canteen staff, reprographics guys, receptionist and colleagues other than my department also knew me very well. I used to meet someone or the other in the elevator and the banter would begin. I used to wait for my night drop and reach home as my father waited to serve hot food to me. I just loved that feeling that someone was waiting for me. After a difficult day, when my pet curled their tailed around my legs, I just used to feel on top of the world.
I realized that I was so carefree and comfortable after a certain point. Everything just worked like I wanted. It struck me that for the past 4 years I really lived in my dream world where I did everything that made me happy. Most importantly, I made my parents happy and proud. It was tough for me to adapt to such a huge paradigm shift in my life. From earning fat cheques (according to me) to earning nothing but just paying bills was one of the most undesirable change of my life. I never thought life would turn upside down. I started feeling penniless as I curbed my expenses all the time. I looked at the prices on the menu card every time I checked into a restaurant. I walked in the malls with the intention of shopping, but ended up looking at the price tag and left empty handed. Earlier, I went to parlour to look good but my thinking suddenly changed to why do I make that attempt to look good when no one is going to notice it. I travelled by bus and everything that I did not do for the last three and half years. Not that I did not gather my savings, but I had that fear at the back of my mind, once I open that savings tap, water in form of money would just flow but the tanker will never refill the water tank.
Everybody in this society has an employee mind set and once the word of my quitting the job spread like a wild fire, there was every tom,dick and harry asking me about “what are my plans”, “where would I work next”, what is my career plan” and surprisingly, these were the people who advised me to take rest when I slogged like a dog. But my frank confession is, my association with corporate world gave me many things and I want to thank God for giving me great friends, co-operative colleagues, fabulous mentors, and the most important my IDENTITY! Whatever confidence I have to speak in public, or communicate my views effectively is just because of the Corporate opportunity I got in college. this journey taught me lessons for life. There were some harsh instances along with some sweet experiences. I must say that 31st October 2010 to 31 October 2011 was one of longest years of my life. I could feel the slow pace every minute.I knew every date that went by. I was looking for something dynamic to happen in life soon which would change my life by leaps and bounds. I just expected that this wait ended soon and I lived my earlier life as soon as possible.
I just realized one thing that when we have one particular thing in hand, we never value it. My personal take away from this one year was I would value everything- good or bad in life with an open mind.
