Today is 2 June; I completed a month in NSDC.
But I want to start this blog with an unfortunate news. I just checked and found that the last date for the Reliance Dhirubhai application (stage 1) for GSB, Stanford was 29 May. Since the starting of the year I have been thinking of applying for this; however, look at my carelessness! This is not happening for first time, and in the back of my mind "I might miss the deadline" was also there. Still, I didn't open the website even once. I am so sorry! What's next now?
In work, as Pravi Kapoor of Monitoring team mentioned, I was literally thrown into the wolves. The RPL and Special Project team was the most laborious and biggest team in NSDC. This has direct interface with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and hence political pressure is also immense. The work of the team is too much operational in nature which means work never gets completed. The lack of proper IT software is the biggest drawback affecting the efficiency of the team. The work culture is not that aggressive, although most employees don't complain about work. There is lot of data request, and surprisingly data is handled by a vendor company (E&Y). There are employees on E&Y payroll, as well as in NSDC payroll as full-time and as consultant.
Coming to managers, Mahendra is very good with his simplicity and ideologies. I like his frankness (refusing to take the birthday gift, expressing his failure on managing some aspects of the team, emphasizing on leaving early etc) and think things will be workable. Vishal is too sharp in terms of analytical ability; he might express his displeasure in any format. Overall, not a bad moody type guy. The 'sir' culture is very much prevalent here. Both had been Army officers and I am not sure how they would react if I tell them my brother was a sailor. In fact, I said that to Vishal and he reacted as expected.
Compared to NeGD experience, I feel glad that I stayed some time in that org. In NeGD, I did stuffs which are usually different departments in other org such as in NSDC. Media & Communications, Customer/RTI/Parliamentary Query management, Procurement, IT, Event Management, Grievance Redressal, administration - these are separate cells here. But in NeGD, I had flavors of all the above. Every experience counts- this is so so true.
Personally, as it always happens, I have not been able to leave any impression as on today. I always take time; 'first impression thing' does not work with me at all. If the Microsoft discount thing works out, that will be a good contribution from my part, although my manager does not have any clue what I am up to on that front. I have made couple of mistakes - mistakenly carrying MSP's bag, lack of data in front of Vishal, not been able to explain thing properly etc.
Some challenges I am finding here:
a) need to learn how to manage operational things. 200+ projects running at different places with different issues. I need to come out of my policy/writing mood and learn efficient operational techniques.
b) since I am not officially designated as manager, it is not possible to push people always. I need to understand what's there in the minds of MSP and Vishal regarding people reporting to me.
c) Salary issue- my cash-in-hand has increased only by 8-9 thousands although I came here with a hike of around 33% on fixed component only. I can understand the lack of tax saving components such as uniform/prof development; but still, I think I am getting much low. Need to sort out this with payroll team.
d) technology challenged environment - both from human resource and IT system point of views. Can you believe, it takes 5-9 minutes to open one page after a mouse click. Horrible systems.
e) the friendship circle is missing until now. Since my lunch items are not great always and my lunch timing is also bit early, I am left with no other time to socialize. Unless I get a few friends, I will not find the joy factor. At the end of the day, I should enjoy.
f) Mahipalpur is such a dry place. Whenever I say this name, office people look at me with different eyes. Although I don't care that much, to be honest, there is nothing that I can do here. The life has become so much restricted. The issues with water and AC took lot of my mental peace. To add to this, the tension at home for marriage and my 'newly found' high blood pressure are giving me worries.
g) I need to work on my communication skill again. At several instances, I found fumbling or went out of words. Maybe I put lot of energy in understanding the mood of the person, and that negatively impacts my speaking capabilities. In any case, I need to put effort.
h) What's next after this? I am again blank on my long term career goals. After rejecting the UNDP interview, I think I must love this job. Should I apply for PhD this year? What topic should I choose?
What went well- the first day blog, going through the HR induction and subsequent meetings, meeting Ankit and Preeti of NISG, littke office commutation time, the Microsoft meeting, buying the Windows AC.
As a next step, I am setting up a month review meeting with MSP. I am also reading how to be an efficient Operations head. Wish me luck !
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