I vividly remember writing 'bad career time again' type post during last days of NSDC and early days of EdCast. Little did I know I need to write such a post, again, in fact, with higher intensity of 'bad' in near future. I have started doubting my career choices until now. I am jobless now for last 4 months now. To be frank, I delayed writing this post thinking good time will come soon, and I will write this post sharing some good news with the 'bad time' having only nostalgic values. But, no! no good news is waiting. I am exhausted, tired, negative!
Here are four dominating stories of this bad time---
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| Just before sending the resignation email |
In last couple of years, I have at least learnt how to manage such a situation. I resigned the very next day and protested against that sudden conversation through email to all possible stakeholders. Mukesh setup a call with India HR Head, apologized for the sudden step and asked to take back my resignation. I continued my stand and February 9 was my last day at Cornerstone. The company who brought me home and witnessed me becoming a father could have had a cheerful farewell. Alas!
The story of Chief Strategist position: Last year July, I applied for a position of "Lead, Strategist for IT and Electronic Policy Implementation and Investment Promotion - DIT Assam" with Government of Assam after advice from Jahid Da. The non- enthusiastic application and the long delay made me forget about that. The day after resignation, in casual conversation with Jahid Da, I got to know that the interview scheduled in that very week. I pulled in all my contacts and on the way to Guwahati with Dada, sitting at the house of Dada's junior at Boko, I somehow made sure my name gets shortlisted and finally appeared for the online interview on 19 Jan'24. The change of situations has been rapid post resignation, and I successfully secured a job as informed by Yash, Anupriya (NISG HR), the Cotton professor in the panel who was contacted by Karuna Da through his friend post interview, conversation with Pujari and the file noting as seen by Jahid Da at the secretariat. Until this point, my resignation decision has been totally justified. However, things didn't move post that until today. Enquiries were made through OSD to CM, Jayanta Biswa, Biswajit Daimari (via Rajib Da), Kesab Mahanta's PA and nephew - but there is no luck. My last conversation with NISG reveals an incomplete financial approval by DIT has casted serious doubt on the progress of this project and the related recruitment. I can't write how much dreams were built with the sudden nature of this milestone, but just to get crashed like a pack of cards.
The only good story of PhD coursework: Amidst so many negative news, I completed my Jan-May semester exam and completed 4 mandatory courses of IIT PhD coursework with 9.5 CGPA. Although I resigned in February, PhD work has kept me occupied until mid- May. In fact, my quick and bold resignation decision has much to credit to the ongoing study. The comprehensive exam and SoAS are left, but I am happy about not attending regular classes. The regular visit to IIT, conversation with Karuna da, attending sessions such as the semiconductor ones, and the dreams of a future academic career at IIT are the fuels that has kept me going in this bad time.
The new ray of hope- SeMT story: While waiting to join the chief strategist role after a positive interview as per my sources, I was even reluctant to apply for the Head-SeMT position. Again SeMT, oh No!! The application at DIC portal was very confusing, time consuming and last date was initially posted as 20 June, i.e. post national election result. But maybe God was smiling while I submitted the application. During the Aizawl trip, I got the phone call about getting selected for the interview on 31 May. However, even before that call, I got to know about shortlisting, preponing of the last date and the probable names of the interview panel members. I prepared very aggressively for the interview- going through each and every document from Mizoram SeMT and Digital India period, knowing nuances about AI and Blockchain, the Digital Public Infrastructure like IndEA, India stack and also conversation with Amit, Vinay Sir, Sunil Sir etc. Amit and Jahid Da have been extremely helpful
The interview was a bomb. The 6-member panel including Ajay Sawhney Sir, Sunil Sir, Amit (UMANG) spent more than 45 min with me. There was no question where I hesitated; good articulation along with relevant content is what I tried in each and every answer. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and so as the interviewers. After many days, I was so satisfied and happy after attending an interview. Sunil Sir told later that I got the maximum mark in the panel. However, the only problem is the salary cap of DIC; in case of Head- SeMT, it is capped at 37 Lakh. I have been thinking on this 'compromise', will analyze more in case any good news come in this front.
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| Time or no time |
'All the time, but no time' story: In a way, I am having all the time of day and night; I can and should take up anything and everything. But the reality is that I can't even manage 30 min of productive time in a day. Although I blame Rodalee for this debacle, maybe, I have not been able to balance my personal and professional life. I believe my 'personal' / family aspect dominated my personality, and without professional engagement, I am a completely gone case. I started a section in diary titled 'Tasks completed' as my pending list of tasks have touched a huge number. Not much helpful so far!
No other productive thing is happening either - I had to let go the pancharatna land even after putting much effort (not 100% maybe); A2O/article writing - no progress, Maa's shoulder pain is not improving, no new thing with Nina's career either. The fact that I am losing out money (salary) every month makes me restless since I already lost 1.5 years post Oxford doing nothing. I am convinced now that without a full time job, I am completely useless, hopeless and unproductive. This is less about my laziness/priority, rather the kind of personality I possess. I have to be extra cautious about this aspect in case I think about early retirement in the future.
Meanwhile, Modi's swearing-in as the new Prime Minister of India is going on live on Doordarshan.
