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Haven’t we read that
before? Yes, but it never hurts to read once again. How many times you would
have watched the movie Godfather and still not enough!
Much has been written about. So
let’s look from a personal experience as narrated.
The person, a close confidante of
the author of this article, is today serving as Vice-President in a prestigious
firm.
“If I were to begin all over
again, I wouldn’t have accepted the offer made by the MNC. Instead I would
choose a startup.” I didn’t interrupt and it turned out to be a monologue.
“When I joined the company,
everything that existed was set carefully in place and played on. My addition
in the workforce was to execute the delegated task. The productivity, I must
say, was amazing - machine-like efficiency. No doubt. The system was great. No
complaints – whatsoever. It was indeed a privilege, and needless to mention,
the pay, perks all the way to the pantry was fascinating. Somehow I sensed
despite having everything, something was missing. I must have really done well
at work, as I was never appraised less than ‘beyond expectation’. So I was
pretty good in getting the job done and very confident about myself overall.
That said, the feeling of confined and compartmentalized was overwhelming –
even though I enjoyed complete freedom with a caveat: the canvas was
neatly dotted for the boundary as if to inform ‘within the territory’. Ah! No
trespassing allowed.
Absorbed in my work, and moved
ahead in my career as rank and file, I missed out on learning existing
technology, being content by staying on the surface or at the most scratching.
Never dived deep. Never explored what lies beneath. Because it wasn’t necessary
then. We focused on what needs to get the job done. Even some overzealous
attempt or any initiatives will be stricken with 'stick to the specific tasks
please'.
Learn First’
Today is a different story
altogether. Students brimming with ideas either set up something on their own
or settle for a start-up. Money is not the motivation – may be
they have back-up or supportive sponsors in their parents. Whatever, but
they listen to their instincts – something I didn’t, and always investing in knowledge
capital by enrolling for this program or that certification. So for them it’s ‘Learn
First’. Their smirk is almost infectious when looking at your eyes to
say “today I am after you guys, but tomorrow evaluating my net worth in
knowledge capital, you guys will be chasing me. As such they are not broke
or chewing their nails all the way to the finger bones figuring about the next
meal. No, they are planning to upstage one another or usher in a revolution.
It’s their fierce competitive spirit and dare to do the unthinkable. Fear
doesn’t seem frighten them at all, and their risk appetite simply amazes
me.
Deep Pockets or Schools
of Learning
MNCs are flush with funds and can
hence afford to shop for talent. Also they hire 'dedicated' resource, meaning
hire made exclusively to execute a set of tasks that calls for
a particular skill set. All of my career, I would worn one hat that
probably grew up in size. A Project Manager will have PMO to shift some of the
responsibility attended by delegation and supervision. That’s a luxury in a
start-up.
Startups are cash strapped. Don’t
be surprised even if basic amenities are lacking. If you get back to the
industrial jargon of 'Job Rotation' which had every worker engaging in all the
activities to get hands-on and dependence of any particular employee is cut
down , but then it had its cons as you can’t become an 'expert' by doing all
chores. So it boiled down to Jack of all trades or Master of one.
In software, especially startup,
you actually don many hats. It’s common to come across a Project manager who is
also the Business Analyst, Customer Interface, Test Manager, and some even roll
up their sleeves and code. That’s versatility. The ability to take up any
position and perform. The pay may not be that glossy but the returns are
measured in knowledge acquisition. One gains a toe-hold initially and
working on different subjects provides a foot-hold. You can see them dress-up
their resume with an array of certifications. From my experience switching from
one lane isn’t that easy. A Microsoft player will find it difficult to migrate
to opens-source languages, whereas a proficient Java programmer with some
effort can soon dirty fingers in php, perl or python with little time spent on
transition - because the need of the hour is immediate leaving not much time
for learning. Some professionals actually learn 'on the go'. It’s a matter of
perform or perish, and to keep the head above water they just do what needs to
be done. So multifaceted is the word.
Certifications really count.
Once they are groomed and gained
enough ground, then it’s time for making money. The logic offered is ' at the
start of the career, expenses are for basic needs and there is enough time to
study the trends and shape yourself. But once you get into married life, there
are more responsibilities besides the expenses.'
So to start, I prefer startup to
reinforce your learning. Learn as much as you can. With passage of time, and
the need of the hour to settle domestically, marriage and family, money, of
course matters. Then on employment and education must go hand-in-hand. That’s
the mantra.
I have all that figured out in
hindsight and though i can reset the time, I do pass as tips to those who seek
my advice. Learn and keep learning. Certifications really count. Had I earned
a PMP® certification, the monetary incentives aside, the in-depth study of
the subjects has been deprived. I still find myself shallow in terms of
learning and understanding, and enrolling for such professional certifications
could have altered the landscapes completely.
The capital gains from learning
are just great for not only you benefits but create so many beneficiaries.
There are no walls or boundaries. The canvas is theirs to occupy. Guess
that’s the defining moment and even the differing aspect when I relate the past
to the present. “
Well said.
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