A Brief Retrospective

During the pandemic, when colleges transitioned to an online format, I found a peculiar sense of relief. The pressure of college life diminished, allowing me to redirect my focus. After a short hiatus, my final year commenced online. I embraced remote learning and was determined to avoid returning to campus until at least the end of 2020.

It wasn't that I disliked my course or college; rather, I felt something was amiss. Perhaps it was the outdated syllabus, the teaching methods, or the university's overall environment, which lacked vibrancy and engagement, with most activities occurring only sporadically on weekends. This led to a rather monotonous college experience.

Throughout my schooling, I heavily relied on classroom instruction, often grasping subjects easily with minimal additional study. However, college lectures often felt uninspiring, and I struggled to find adequate materials. The subjects I genuinely enjoyed included Mathematics, Operating Systems, Production and Operations Management, Business Economics, Life Skills, Network Security, and Distributed and Cloud Computing.

How ‘MEC’ College Transformed My Life

Reflecting on my college life, I realized how it shaped me as an individual over four years. Most students leaned on online resources such as notes, slides, and past papers. I became a self-learner, exploring various methods to understand subjects, with mixed success. I may not have been the top student, nor did I excel in every subject, but my passion for learning and exploring new topics was unwavering. I enjoyed seeking out reading materials, watching informative content, and acquiring knowledge.

As I approached my fourth year, I communicated to my family that I would not participate in Campus Placements, choosing instead to prepare for the entrance exam for JNU, one of Asia's leading research universities. To my surprise, my parents supported this decision.

I set a condition: I would only consider placements with non-technical companies. My target was Byjus, an educational firm that teaches subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics to school students. My passion for teaching was evident, and I found joy in explaining concepts, particularly in mathematics. Additionally, the compensation was attractive compared to other options.

During my fourth year, I lost interest in lectures, despite a few intriguing topics. I utilized that time to pursue online courses on platforms like Coursera and Udemy. I also opted for an Honours degree, which required me to self-study an extra subject and complete two MOOC courses from Swayam-NPTEL. This kept me quite occupied.

Initially, I skipped the first few placement drives, but as I witnessed classmates securing jobs, I felt an indirect pressure, exacerbated by my parents’ growing frustration. Given the competitive nature of admission to JNU, I felt compelled to participate in placements.

Honestly, I didn't dedicate much time to preparation beyond the tests provided by the Training Cell. Although I had strong communication skills, my technical knowledge was limited. I only had a basic understanding of C and Python beyond the core syllabus. Often, I struggled to pass the initial screening rounds, with a few technical interviews leaving me out due to questions beyond my understanding.

The most disheartening aspect was failing to secure positions at Deloitte and Byjus, the only two non-tech companies recruiting on campus. This felt like a significant setback. My parents urged me to accept a position at an IT firm as a backup plan, and reluctantly, I agreed.

Despite the pressure, I remained calm and composed, focusing solely on my goal of completing my engineering degree. My exams in February-March were held in-person, and I performed adequately, restoring some confidence in my academic capabilities.

In April, I applied for Infosys pool placements, a prestigious IT firm in India. I signed up and successfully cleared the technical round.

Navigating Challenges

April brought concerns about the second wave of COVID-19, coinciding with critical state elections. By the end of the month, my entire family contracted the virus.

I interviewed during the first week of May while I was still recovering from COVID-19. Despite feeling unwell, I managed to answer many questions during the interview. The focus was primarily on programming and Linux, and I hoped to secure a position, as it was one of my last options, with placements winding down.

While I was ill, I also encountered an intriguing opportunity with Cavli Wireless, a startup based in San Jose with a significant office in Kochi, India. The role involved content marketing, and the topics aligned closely with my interests.

As an enthusiastic blogger focused on politics, international relations, and technology, my experiences with IEEE and IETE honed my technical writing skills. Thus, I applied for this position despite my pending status with Infosys. My background in digital marketing, along with my blogging and podcasting endeavors, made me a suitable candidate.

The first task involved answering writing and marketing questions, and I was the only candidate from my college to pass the writing test. The interview was conducted by an alumnus from my school, who was laid-back and supportive. He appreciated my writing journey, focusing more on my Quora and Medium profiles rather than my academic performance. He also assigned me a writing task to evaluate my skills.

A few days post-submission, I received a call confirming my selection for the role. Shortly thereafter, I also learned that I had been shortlisted for Infosys. This meant I had two offers on the table, but I didn't feel overly excited about either.

This sudden turn of events left me in a dilemma—transitioning from being uninterested in placements to having two job offers. Both positions offered comparable pay, and I lacked sufficient time to contemplate my decision. Ultimately, I chose Cavli Wireless, prioritizing my passion and happiness over a higher salary.

As time passed, I had to make crucial decisions regarding my future. My initial plan was to take the JNU entrance exam, but realizing my chances were slim, I sought alternative options. My parents eventually supported the idea of pursuing higher studies.

I began applying to various colleges and universities as backup options to JNU, focusing primarily on private institutions. I even spent my birthday filling out applications and gathering my academic records while also preparing for my final exams.

> I decided to create a placement guide for engineering students.

Engineering Campus Placement Guide

I intended to continue working until I secured admission somewhere, so I did not let go of my job offer and started onboarding promptly. My exams went reasonably well, and I plan to discuss them further in my next journal entry. Additionally, I had to attend interviews for different universities to confirm my admissions.

I was pleased to find that I passed all the interviews I participated in, landing myself in a challenging situation of deciding which offer to accept. With limited time to finalize my choice, I sought testimonials, consulted with peers, and reached out to alumni. In the end, I am thrilled to share that I was admitted to Christ University, Bangalore, for a Master’s in International Studies, focusing on International Relations with Area Studies. The initial orientation is complete, and classes are currently underway.

What Does This Mean?

This shift in my academic focus is significant. I believe this program will enhance my knowledge, provide opportunities for exploration, and refine my skills, particularly in political writing and blogging.

I also aim to elevate the quality of my blogs on Medium and other platforms, learning to analyze research papers and news articles from an academic lens.

Classes have already commenced, and while the schedule is quite rigorous, I remain optimistic about balancing my studies with blogging, as this is a full-time, two-year program. The campus has reopened, and students have been invited back, indicating that I will need to prepare for a return soon.

What Are My Likes and Dislikes Here?

Having spent a few weeks at the new university, I appreciate the aspects that initially drew me to this institution. The curriculum and program structure are welcoming, especially for those transitioning from different fields or lacking a strong academic background.

Numerous opportunities and extracurricular activities are available, with Bangalore—the city housing the university—being a vibrant backdrop. However, I find the university's strictness and demanding schedule somewhat uncomfortable, especially with classes on Saturdays. I plan to provide more insights into my college life in future articles.

Did I Leave My Job?

After two weeks of full-time work, I informed the company of my change in plans. I felt remorseful for the effort they had invested in hiring and onboarding me, and they were understandably disappointed. However, we devised a plan for me to work as a freelancer, offering me decent pay while allowing me to manage my studies simultaneously. This income should cover my college fees and minor expenses, although it may not be sufficient if classes resume offline.

I enjoyed many aspects of the work, particularly the company's focus on IoT and smart devices. Writing blogs for them revealed significant intersections between my interests in technology and international relations, especially in areas like GPS, 5G, and supply chain management.

Why Higher Studies Instead of a Full-Time Job?

In India and beyond, there’s a prevailing notion that one should secure a job and settle down after completing their undergraduate studies. According to the 2011 census, only 4.5% of the population are graduates, with a minimal number pursuing postgraduate education. Should everyone follow the same path? I believe not.

I recognize my aptitude for learning and understanding, as well as my academic strengths, based on my four years of undergraduate experience. I am a strong proponent of self-directed and remote learning, and I appreciate freelance opportunities.

> Did I make the right decision? Only time will reveal the outcome, expected by early 2023.

I’m not inclined toward corporate jobs and believe that if one intends to leave a company, joining it might not be wise. The transition from studies to employment can be challenging, and returning to academics can be equally tough. The longer one takes to understand their preferences, the more difficult career transitions become.

Joining a company, undergoing onboarding, evaluating its suitability, and then quitting is a complex journey. Many individuals leave their first jobs, and shifting careers or pursuing higher studies has become a common trend. There’s often inertia when one remains tied to a well-paying job, which may hinder career development.

Ultimately, the choice is yours, and I have made mine. There are no absolute right or wrong paths—just what suits you best. Avoid imitating others simply for the sake of it.

What About Blogging?

It would be remiss not to address blogging, which has become an integral part of my life. I can’t envision separating it from my identity. With my new schedule, things may get tight, but I currently maintain a frequency of one post per week. This is the maximum I can manage due to the extensive research and thought required for each article. Medium has brought countless opportunities my way, and I’m excited to share that I’ve gained 2000 followers, with 500 of them joining just this month.

In addition, I have launched Newscapsule for Fortnight starting in July, along with a monthly news capsule on Medium. A podcast and a technical article are also in the pipeline each month. These elements will be my primary focus moving forward, with exciting plans on the horizon. I hope to keep you all informed and engaged as I navigate this journey.

To conclude, I am embarking on a new chapter filled with change, exploration, and growth, while continuing the pursuits that currently occupy my time. For anyone uncertain about their future, remember to follow your instincts. Prioritize passion over monetary gain, and cultivate interests outside of academics. My placements were influenced by my Quora and Medium profiles, demonstrating that anything is possible with dedication.

I trust I’ve made a prudent decision, and while the consequences remain to be seen, I look forward to what lies ahead. I appreciate your support and hope you enjoy my upcoming works. Stay tuned for more insightful blogs.

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