"GoodLuck.We will let you know".This is what i heard as i finished my technical interview in inautix.As i walked down the steps,i was pretty confident that i would get through and true it was.Over the next few months i dreamed big,really big ,about my corporate career and whether those dreams were fulfilled or not ,only time will tell :-))
August 2nd 2004,the day i officially stepped into the corporate jungle.Few would say"It's a jungle out there,only the best will survive".True.I felt like i was stepping into the jungle at night.Neither could i see anything nor could i predict any thing.The fear of falling prey to the worst carnivores and the cruel scavengers were lingering in my mind.But as nature would have it,the jungle had some wise and generous creatures and it was these creatures that illuminated the torch for me and guided through the jungle maze.
Training days were truly awesome.I learnt my first lesson during that time.The lesson was "Never try to be too smart".My training collegues will know what it means. :-))
My second lesson was not too far.It was during the end of the training period.Three people were supposed to work in DSCM(Configuration Management...For all the non technical people..DSCM means Job without work) and people said that one could gain excellent domain/business knowledge working in DSCM.As i was preparing for CAT and bent on doing my MBA,i thought this would be an excellent exposure.So,I went directly and met the head of Configuration Management.It was only after that meeting did i consult with "few good men" regarding this.The best part was, those "few good men" recommended me against working in Configuration Management.I then flatly refused to work in DSCM.I got a huge verbal thrashing from my training head.Never in my wildest dreams did i expect this.Hence the second lesson. "Never deal with a person of authority unless you have a sound reason to do so".
Soon after the training was finished i was deputed to work in a team called 'NetxOffice'.This is when i started to feel the real pulse of corporate world and software industry in particular.The team handled projects in Java,and i was a literal illiterate in Java then(that doesn't mean that i am an expert now :-)).The bay in which i was seated housed people with wealth of experience.Every one was talking about Java,Servlet,EJB,Inautilus,Containers,logs bla bla bla.I could not understand a single word.I was a silent observer.Soon i was given a project to work.As luck would have it,I was the only person to work on it.My first project - "Replicate Accounts for Identical Client Level Data".Sounds highly fundoo...right?In layman terms,it meant "Copy-Paste".Hence my third Lesson."Appearances are often deceptive".
The project went into production successfully.I slowly started to feel comfortable with my team members.It was September 2005 and it was appraisal time.First time in my entire life,i had someone evaluating me.The very thought of it, sent cold shivers down my spine.But eventually i learnt that this kind of evaluation is going to stay with me for my lifetime.I went inside the conference room,had a discussion,heard some sweet words from my appraiser ,came out.I felt happy,really happy with my rating.I discussed it with my peers,i learnt that my rating was only just as good as any others.Hence the fourth lesson."Never jump to conclusion,until you have personally seen and verified it yourslef".
2005 came and went.One more year of my flopped performance in CAT.2006 came.I made it this time.A new record for me.Fourth consecutive flopped performance in CAT. I felt depressed.More so the monotony of my current job eventually got to me.Three years of IT industry experience.Good technical knowledge,Good domain knowledge were added advantage.I felt the time was right to go beyond.To learn new things,to explore new boundaries,to venture new territories.It's a jungle out there.True.Animals bread in captive cannot survive in the jungle.Hence the fifth and final lesson."Change is the only constant".
