Mystory@Abhyudaya Dutta: How I chose my course and career

In my school days, I was interested more in Science and Maths and hence Science stream was the obvious choice in Class XI. However in Class XI and XII, I found the Science more difficult compared to Class IX and X, especially the Organic Chemistry Part. Organic Chemistry was never my cup of tea. Moreover since we were the first batch of CBSE 10+2 Scheme, enough books and guidance were not available. Even the course books were published very late. Eventually I did not fare very well in Class XII board exam as well as IIT and other joint entrance exams. Since my father, my brother (IIT) and brother-in-law (IIT) were Engineering graduates, hence there was a slight family pressure to opt for Engineering. Since my father had retired long ago, there was financial pressure also as I was required to join a respectable job at the earliest. Thus, hence Engineering it was.

Why I chose engineering

Though I got admitted in BSc ( Maths) in a reputed college, my brother influenced me to write the entrance exam of MS University, Baroda. I cleared the exam and finally joined MSU to pursue BE (Mechanics). However during my college days I found that the Mechanical Engineering subjects were very dry and uninteresting. In my final exams I did just average and somehow got a job as Management trainee in GEC, Kolkata. Thereafter I changed various jobs but the decisions of changing jobs were very emotional and immature. I even tried to move out of Kolkata but all in vain. Meanwhile, I completed part-time MBA from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

Today if given a chance, first of all, I would like to study English Honours or any other Arts subject. Many of my friends took up Economics or English Honours inspite of scoring well in Class XII Science subjects. The greatest mistake that I did after Engineering is accepting a job in Kolkata. Instead of that, I should have waited a bit longer and found a job in West/South India or in Delhi. I also feel that in my career I should have changed my jobs and selected departments in a more judicious and matured manner. Today with different types of experiences, I have been so long successful in guiding my son to select his career and job in the present crisis situation.

As explained earlier, I strongly feel that my decisions in selecting my career were not correct. During our days, because there were very limited opportunities available for the general line ( BA/BSc/BCom) students, I had to opt for the Engineering course, because in those times after finishing the BE course, there was no dearth of job opportunities.

My father, also an Engineer, had actively participated in Quit India Movement and was jailed several times. He was a Tamra Patra Holder. He could join the government organization only after independence at the age of 32 years. Due to Partition, he had to move to Kolkata along with his mother, unmarried sisters and had to support them with his meager income during that time. Since his duration of service was merely 26 years, his pension was negligible. I was still in school when he retired, thus I wanted to get a job at the earliest and Engineering was the best option available for me. Today, I feel that had I had an option then, I would have selected a different career altogether.

The students of this generation have got many options in front of them. Various tools are available these days for the students to analyze the pros and cons of each course and take a right decision after Class X or Class XII. They should analyze their options thoroughly and not get swayed by others advice.

My mistakes and what I learnt from them

Today when I look back I find that most of my college mates are all well placed in their jobs. Being brought up in Delhi and having been groomed in reputed school like St. Xavier's school, I had the confidence to build up my career but due to wrong selection of jobs, I could not fulfil my dreams. My major mistakes are: a) Initially to accept a job in Kolkata instead of trying out a job in Western part of the country or in Delhi NCR. b) During my career I was not bold enough to share my difficulties with seniors. On the contrary I shielded the follies of my colleagues and took the blame upon myself which did not pay off in shaping my career. c) Accepting whatever departments that were offered to me and did not apply my choice. d) The jobs were changed in an injudicious and immature manner.

These days as the job scenario is very critical it is very unlikely that the situation will improve, thus the candidate has to take important decisions regarding the choice of the jobs, the location and also the departments. Basically one has to remain focused throughout their career.

About the Author:

I am Abhyudaya Dutta. I graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Faculty of Technology & Engineering, MS University, Vadodara in 1984. Along with my job, I did part-time MBA degree course from Jadavpur University. I am currently working as General Manager at Macawber Beekay Pvt. Ltd, Kolkata.