I entered into a really neat meeting room in my new office. A few glances through the window, and i was immediately reminded of the pressure i'd felt a few months ago, my nervous self being grilled with questions on ESOPs and how in some vague way, they ought to reflect a transition from capitalism to socialism. Those windows were saviours, because i could gaze across without having to look at the interviewer, and at least look smart, if not answer the question.
Putting those thoughts aside, lest they add to the pressure of the first day of work, i leaned across the table, and shook hands with the few others who were joining with me.
"So, First job?"
"Yes"
"Are you from DU?"
"Yes"
"Which College?"
"(Does it matter?).. Hansraj"
"You don't look like a Hansarian.."
"(Man.. and you look determined to leave a first impression!).. Really? Well, i guess i didn't spent too much time in college, so you may not have seen me around. You from Hansraj, too?"
"No"
Anyway, we get done with our awkward one-liners and move to the induction room.
"So, this is the real stuff, huh?", I tell myself while we enter. I am tired of living theories, both at class and in life. This is how I'd like it - down there, doing the real stuff. Learn, grow and get real... or so I'd like to think.
Now, almost two years down the line, I'm still writing papers and making presentations which just about look attractive. I try to get to the premise of each issue, whether it is setting up an appropriate recruitment procedure for my division or explaining how cultural issues impact international ventures. But the bottomline is, it's never the entire truth. There's always something more that needs to be considered.. always!
I haven't yet reconciled to the fact that that's the closest you can get to doing the "real stuff".
