Mystory@Abhishek Das: How I made my career – Challenges and successes

The decision of choosing my field of study was not completely my sole discretion, but due to my seriousness in studies from childhood my parents always had a belief on my decision making strategies. I always had a special interest in doing innovative businesses since I belong to a business family where I had never seen someone engaged in 9-5 job, neither in Government nor in the private sector. My initial attraction towards business influenced me to study Commerce during my XII, thereafter I shifted in Business Studies at graduation (BBA, WBUT, Kolkata) and PG (EPGDIB, IIFT, New Delhi) levels.

I think the world has certainly changed in a big way and today students are blessed with multiple interesting choices of studies which was not there in our days. If I got an opportunity to decide today I would certainly go for Business Management but with entrepreneurship or developmental economics as a specialization which is available in India at present. But my career didn't shape up according to my choice.

How I landed in a private job

I lost my father in an accident just after my Higher Secondary exam and the entire scenario drastically changed overnight, I faced tremendous resistance due to financial crisis and other legal hassles on family front. I had no choice but to start my career not as an entrepreneur but as an employee with a private bank. It was probably the darkest phase of my life, which I gradually overcome over the period of time and learnt newer lessons in life which fortunately gave me place where I stand today proudly. But I’ll certainly say that success never came to me easily. I had to earn it with my hard work and determination. My life always have taught me a lesson that there is no shortcut of success and it never comes easily. Nobody else but only your strong intent and determination can bring it to you.

Life, mistakes and lessons

First of all it's very difficult to judge whether I've chosen the right career or not because one can't just define it based on their subject or field of studies they choose as there can be multiple external influences behind the decision. I believe we must be flexible and open to new learning and accept life however it comes to you and try to learn from experiences to grow further and keep breaking your resistance points. During my professional years I made many mistakes and faced the heat as the obvious outcome as no B-School can teach you how to deal with various situations on floor and there is no defined protection shield one may offer you. So I would suggest you to never be afraid of your mistakes but keep learning and never repeat the same. Look at mistakes as mistakes and accept it, never try to justify a mistake. But after my continuous learning and self-realizations, I believe I've chosen the right career. My advice would be to balance your aspirations with reality and try to look at the bigger picture in the long run, hence learn to be patient and keep up-skilling yourself whenever possible to upgrade your credentials periodically. Whenever you're planning to select your career question yourself whether you want to do it or doing it for the sake of doing. Never allow external influences to destroy your aspirations and intent. When I look back today at my journey so far I realize life is the best teacher in your life irrespective of your degree or diploma therefore you've to continuously learn new technologies or management skills to sustain in a longer run. It's more important to look at your career sustainability rather starting with a good package or glamorous designations.

About the Author:

I am Abhishek Das, an IIFT alumni having experience in Service Industry including BFSI, Technology led Education & TVET, Start-up Mentoring, Institutional Capacity building, Brand Management, Strategic Projects, Investment & Marketing Strategies, Product R&D. I am a certified Start-up Advisor and Mentor by Invest India, GoI and currently associated with FICCI Management Consulting vertical in the capacity of Assistant Director- Policy Advisory & Strategies.

Mystory is a new Shiksha initiative to provide students a unique platform to share their experiences right from college admission to career selection. Here’s your chance to get published on India’s leading education portal. We’ll be happy to publish your story.   Write in to us at: mystory@shiksha.com