Face the music
A U-Turn at the end, has always some consequence.
Dad, I want to get to a premier institute of India like IITs and do a start up - that was his answer two years back to the question "what do you want to do ?" That was just after he passed the Board exam and and on our way back from Kashmir.
Really, that's exciting, but do you know you belong to the Dalit (General) caste ? Do you know the competition level to get into a premium institute like IITs ? Why don't you first finish your Intermediate (10+2) and then take a year break and prepare ?
NO, I want to prepare and try the first time itself - fair, as you wish. I will provide all the resources but you will have to drive it all.
Two years went away and the kid did prepare but then he definitely did not score enough good in JEE Mains to get into IITs. He was disappointed, and we tried to provide all kind of counseling to try it again this year. Coincidentally I met one of my friend after twenty two years and upon discussing about kid's studies, he revealed about the IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test) program which her daughter was trying. The IPMAT program allows to get into premium management institutions like IIMs and the kid never explored this because he solely focused on Engineering. So when I asked the kid to look at the program details, he found it interesting, but unfortunately by then the last date of applying to most of the institutions were gone. He could apply for only three IIMs, and few private institutes like NIRMA, NALSAR etc who take that score. And all he had is twenty days to prepare for the exams, that includes a written ability test followed by a personal interview.
And to our surprise he did well, considering such a small preparation, and got shortlisted for personal interview in IIM Shillong, NIRMA and NALSAR. That motivated him further to prepare for the interview and he got admission offer in NIRMA and NALSAR, but got a high rank in IIM Shillong putting him in wait list. All the interviews were done in online mode and IIM Shillong even put a restriction saying, No one should be in that room during the interview. So we gave him all the confidence and waited outside the door and the kid did really well. Wearing the perfect attire from a management perspective and appearing a personal interview himself, first time in life was no easy task.
Interestingly another twist came in - he got an offer from another baby IIM - IIM Sambalpur from my state that offered him to do a B.S. in Data Science and AI. Recently it got upgraded with a huge 400 acre campus and being in our state, everyone in family was in favor of allowing him to join that course - Grand parents always want to see them near, isn't it ?
So everyone was pushing me to allow him join that course and it was not an easy decision - each of these course costs a very high fees of 30 lakhs (3 million INR) and its about his career that he has to pursue for his entire life. So I called him for one final conversation to take the decision.
Do you want to code and do a technical job ? It's a promising course in the most emerging field, but you will have to make your hands dirty and work for at least 5-6 years before getting into management, which is your interest area. You always said you don't want to do a job like me sitting in front of the laptop for the whole day, but if you choose this career, then you will have to do that.
Well, I can do that, even though it's not my best interest - the kid replied.
That's it then - you took a U turn very late switching from Engineering to Management, so face the music. Had you prepared for IPMAT from beginning, things would have been different. So take your time, dedicate and prepare well for next year and get into management. I gave you control first time and it's my turn now - You should not choose a career that you will not enjoy.
Our generation was different, we took a lot of hardship and have enough patience to deal with anything. Career for many of us did not happen by choice, but we adopted and made it a part of life. But their generation is not the same - they quickly get frustrated, if they don't get what they want. So it's better to take time, prepare well and join a career of their choice. Later you should not blame me saying, you were in the same field - you should have denied me. As far as I foresee, the stress of an IT job is going to only increase as AI takes more control, so unless someone is not passionate about coding, they should not join this field.
What do you say ? Is it a right decision ?
This post is in response to the Creative Nonfiction Prompt #152
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Sometimes it just happens. One minute we think we know what we want and go head on with it, and the next minute we are having a change of mind. Glad everything turned out well at the end.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the admission process. It seems very complex. It doesn't seem like class should have anything to do with it, but I guess if that is the culture, who am I to argue. I changed my major three times in college before I settled on what I am doing now.
We have reservation for different categories and unfortunately, the general caste takes the toll - they being best still cannot get a seat, but people in reserved category can get a seat even without negative mark - such is the gap. This country should have got rid of reservation long ago - 79 years of freedom and we still want reservation.
Yeah, that's too bad. Here in the states they have standards for getting into universities, but by and large it isn't restricted by class.
In my opinion, we should allow children to choose the subject area they are interested in at an early age. Although this is a topic that goes beyond this scope, some countries follow the traditional educational model, which can delay children's education by up to a year. I still have experience with this. Sometimes, if children are late, we have a responsibility to encourage them.
I wish your son all the best in his choices from the bottom of my heart. Your family support for him is clear, and this is very important for success.
hm i don't like the caste, everyone should be all equals...
but you handled it well, it's the right thing to do to expain to sons what they are gonna face and let them decide, as you say there's no change after, this will be his path
Ya, but unfortunately that is the system.
Maybe over time you will get rid of it, we don't have anything like that here
I liked how the boy shifted from JEE to IPMAT and still managed to get shortlisted in top places like IIM Shillong, NIRMA, and NALSAR. The U-turn lesson about career choices felt very real.
This was a really thoughtful read. I like how it shows the importance of not rushing decisions and choosing a path that truly fits one’s interest. It’s a good reminder that careers should be about passion, not just pressure.
Since it's his choice, am so sure he will do pretty well. IT jobs are really thriving now
It amazes me that caste has anything to do with it still. Teenagers can be terrible at organizing themselves but sounds like he's smart and he knows what he wants, so with your support and advice I'm sure he'll do well.
Well, the competition is toughest in the General Caste only, Reservation is a curse for this country, some people in reserved category score negative mark but still manage to get a seat.
Actually, appearing for an interview for the first time is a very difficult experience for anyone. Taking the time to transition late or at the right turning point is an important decision, and your child will be well prepared and well-adjusted to the management.
Yes, it is a radical change to go from Engineering to Administration, but well, these are the student careers of the future that will be in high demand, as they are observing, so if you like it, I think you should always support it so that it fulfills its dreams.
It's his passion, let him be. Congratulations to your kid, and to you as a supportive parent.
Radical changes are good and I think this is an extraordinary case for your son, you should support him to continue with this emerging career and although I told him that he doesn't really like the work he does sitting for so long in front of a computer, now he changed his way of thinking and seeing the opportunities that may open up in the future for that activity, he decided on that one.
Our generation is completely different from them. We are more patient than them. Glad that you're able to guide him.
Your account with the money and the assurance that your son will give his best effort for that career he chose at the last minute. I think you should support him to provide him with the tools for his future. Also, if we add that he will be very close to his family, I believe that will give him the necessary push to continue and complete it successfully. A question, my friend, how much are those 3 million INR in dollars? Let's make a small comparison with the universities here in my country.
Not easy at all switching over from one course to another well is thing of choice and determination it will only take him little time and he will become pro I have seen people like that
i believe it is the skill and job of the parents to understand and know what their kids are good at and show them the way.
all families have gifts, kids dont know that yet.
same for everything else, mental wellbeing, nutrition and skills ...all wrapped in discipline.
as for coding, considering what A.I is about to give to the world and all the major changes around it, not much computer job if any will last long.
not many jobs overall will last long.
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Wow! he got the ambition and knows just what he wants. It only took me about 50 years to know this..
https://x.com/lee19389/status/1961548804060319851
#hive #posh
It actually looks like the present type of generation we have now is quite different from the rest