It's So Obvious! - Shantanu Deshmukh

Are you confused over which career path to choose, what steps to take, where to learn? Well if the task seems so frightening even to read about, let's consider a simpler task. How about making yourself so adaptable that you can pursue any career you choose. How do successful individuals mould their careers and what are the basic skills they possess which enable them to make the right decisions?

How does a career take shape?
In the past, careers were comparatively more secure, predictable and seldom required planning.  Today, a plethora of career options is open to the young generation. Careers in the past were comparatively more secure, predictable and seldom required planning. Today, a plethoro of career options is open to the younger generation. However, these careers demand multiple skills, planning and continual updating of skills. How does, then a career take shape in these turbulent times? Let's look at an example.

Here is story of a student who completed his bachelor's in chemical engineering from Nagpur and a master's in the same subject from USA. During his master's, he worked on a project with a medical school. The project involved some mathematical modeling that was coupled with the knowledge of chemistry and biology, he also applied the knowledge of computer programming that he had acquired during his undergrad years.

This project and the two years of intensive postgraduate studies transformed him into a chemical engineer who also had acknowledge of biology, and a strong computer experience. After completing his master's, he joined a pharmaceutical company as a Computational Drug Designer. The company was looking out 'for a chemical engineer having the knowledge of statistics, computers and biology'! Now who could have been a more perfect fit than him?

Overtly, this appears to be a flawlessly moulded career. Let's look at the story again. The student, "had no interest" in Chemical Engineering. However, he pursued it because, "he had no choice." Likewise he also pursued his Master's in the same subject because "it was logical" to do so. On the other hand, he learned computer programming because "he was passionate" about it. In all, he made it a point to make the most of whatever came along and excelled in every examination.

Wait, there is more!
A year after his 'SUCCESSFUL 'stint at the pharmaceutical company, he realised that research is not his passion and cannot be a life long affair for him. Conversely, the business aspect of the drug designing especially the venture capital in the biotechnology industry caught his interest. He then figured out that his knowledge of the biotechnology industry coupled with an MBA in Finance would be a definite qualification to get into this challenging and multidimensional field. To strengthen his business school application and gain core knowledge in finance, he is now working as a business data analyst with a marketing company and also pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst course in the USA. If he succeeds, which is highly likely, his career decisions would appear logical and correct in retrospect. Let's leave that to time.

But the fundamental questions remain - What was it that enabled this individual to make and then carry through these "logical" and "obvious" career decisions? This student identified and developed a set of skills, attitudes and habits, which many of us just ignore completely.  Let us take a look at them

Preparing the ground
Browse through the 'success literature' and you will be presented with innumerable suggestions about the qualities and skills one should possess to be successful. If you are not discerning enough, chances are that you would get entangled in the theory rather than take a constructive action. Hence let's not discuss perseverance, determination, commitment, hard work, confidence and so on. Instead, let us identify the specific points - those 'doable' things that will help you carve your career path.

English Language
You must have come across articles stating that on a global playing field India has an advantage of an English speaking population? But, how many of us can really use the English language to our benefit? Can you understand spoken and written English well? Do you read and enjoy good books written in English? Even if you read, do you read those books till the end or do you leave those halfway on the pretext of boredom. Maybe in reality, you find the book unexciting due to your inability to comprehend it. How much knowledge and pleasure we deny ourselves when we fail to make the efforts to study English (or for that matter any other language)! A daily ritual of reading quality newspapers and magazines, listening to the news, writing a page, would, over a period equip you to understand more things in a better way. A formal English enhancement programme, which goes beyond mere spoken English, may also prove helpful.

Reading
The world is getting competitive and those with knowledge and information shall lead, period. Unfortunately, many still view acquiring knowledge as a chore to be undertaken with the sole intention of getting through the university examinations. Quite the opposite, reading widely is a way to transform a flood of information into knowledge and using it to get ahead in one's life. Articles and books covering business, finance, technology, current events, should be sought out. Reading business books, say, would help you understand the way organisations work. This in turn would give you a wider perspective, while choosing a career path. Along with academic studies, cultivate a habit of reading voraciously. Once inculcated, the habit of reading effectively for two or three hours a day should be followed religiously.

Interpersonal Skills
Are you among those graduates who are eager to pursue professional degree courses as a quick fix to a great career? But, have you worked upon your Interpersonal skills? Your success in a professional course and a subsequent career, depends largely on how effectively you interact with others, handle office politics and how assertively you deal with difficult colleagues. Sans this skill, talented  and hard working individuals end up struggling with interpersonal conflicts at work places at the cost of their ambitions.  Taking up a job during (or after graduation) or giving oneself an opportunity to sharpen this skill would prove helpful in the long run.

Communication
It is said that the way we communicate with others and ourselves determines the quality of our lives and career. Whether it is a conversation with a colleague, your body language, a request, a letter, an email, a speech, your application for a job and even your internal dialogue. Strive to control the way you listen and speak. During conversations, avoid fruitlessly referring to the past, bring conversations to the present and suggest future possibilities to get desired results. If you make a request, say exactly what you want, when you want and whom you want it from. Your perception of yourself determines your confidence and your abilities.  Hence, replace negative internal dialogue with positive self-images and try to internalise them in your daily conversations with yourself. However, do not fall into the trap of "techniques". Focus more on the result than on the tool.

Passion
It is said that "Being passionate is God saying Hello!" Be passionate about your hobbies, your studies and your dreams. You will make every effort to learn everything under the sun about things that you are passionate about. Don't be surprised when this habit puts you in the top league in your career. Be focused, joyous and passionate in whatever you do and you will perhaps never require a manual to teach you 'How to build an Impressive Personality'.

In his autobiography- Every Street is Paved with Gold- Kim Woo Chung, the founder director of Daewoo quoted "Be humble and learn. We don't need people who merely stand around looking good." The message is clear. Get going. Who knows, some day, the path you travel may inspire thousands. And it would all appear so obvious!