My Quest continues.....

I was supposed to fly to Hiroshima, Japan in the first week of September; last year (2005). It was an Onsite assignment where I needed to work with one of Asia’s largest Earth Moving manufacturer, KOBELCO. I was to replace a guy who was there for about a year and half. (He was also an employee of L&T, but in due course of time became an extended part of the client)

The duration of the Assignment was initially for a year but at the last moment the client revealed what was playing in his mind. He wanted the next person to stay there for at least 3 years. "3 years is a very long time”, that was the thought that crossed my mind. I needed to rethink on all my options before giving a nod for the assignment. On one side, I would have an International Exposure (If u can survive in Japan, u can survive anywhere in the world- food, language and absence of social life is a problem),a good bank balance ( on site assignment, one gets paid quite well-the savings would have been a lac a month) while on the other hand, I would have a social life back here. Moreover, my dad was to get retired this February (He’s been working for the last 35 years; I sometimes just wonder if I’ll be able to work for that long), and so I needed to help him out to shift his base at Kolkata. Also, Being here I could try for the Higher studies in Management.

The decision was tough. All this while, I would be constantly reminded off,” A bird in hand is worth two in bush”. But I strongly felt that my social responsibilities were a priority over the others and so I eventually gave up the Onsite assignment.

After CAT, when I had the interview call from SP JAIN, Mumbai, I thought that this might be the reason why external forces (u may call it fate, I’ll call it almighty-“THE ONE”) prevented me from leaving for Japan. I felt that my decision was paying off and was indeed happy about taking the risk.

When I eventually couldn’t convert the Interview call, for once, I did think,” If I had taken up the assignment, I wouldn’t have to go through all this dejection”. But, I still stand by my decision; even today. I had opted for what I felt the most.

As the saying goes,” All’s well that ends well”; I’m in quest for the perfect end as well.

My Dilemma

As I look into my computer screen, the events that have taken place in the last week flash in front of me. While pondering over the events, my mind floats down the memory lane. It’s been around 20 months that I have been working at e-Engineering Solutions, a part of L&T InfoTech group. I was selected through the Campus interview that took place sometime in the first week of my final year.

Upon joining, we were oriented about the various businesses that L&T was into; followed by the counseling to decide the SBU (Strategic Business Unit) we would be placed into. In spite of being inclined towards the Marketing aspect of the business, I opted for the technical department at e-ES. The logic behind being simple; I needed to understand my business in details, so that I can present it in a better way in front of the clients. Moreover, while working in the Marketing department down the line, this Technical experience would be my USP; it would differentiate me & give me an edge over the existing work force.

The Initial One & half year here at L&T has been a memorable one. The promotion from Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) to Management Trainee (MT) {Only 3 GET’s out of the whole lot of trainees from Baroda & Surat were promoted as MT’s; the rank at which trainees from IIT’s were recruited}; leading a team of 12 members for a Japanese client; being awarded the BEST TRAINEE are just a few in the long list of achievements.

In spite of all the achievements, I needed to move on. I needed to learn the Marketing aspect of the business. That’s where I wanted to see myself five to ten years down the line. Owing to this, I initiated the process of my shift from the technical team to the Marketing, last week. I had a few sittings in this regard with the unit head (VGV), the team head (PKR) and my immediate superior (IRSB). Each of them tried to persuade me to remain in the technical side. But I was adamant about what I wanted and kept justifying my position to them. Finally, they had to give in to my demands.

Today, as I wait for the final obligations to be completed (It’s pending as the Marketing Head has gone to Hanover, Germany and he needs to give the final approval), a thought comes across,” Am I doing the Right thing!! Being a gold medalist, having worked in the technical department for over 2 years, are the prospects brighter if I continue in the same field?” All these thoughts are making me introspect and critically examine my decision. But what strengthen’s my stand are the words written on the placard on my desk:

“No one can predict to what heights you can sore,
Even you will not know until you spread your wings”