It's been around 7.5 years
for me, since the day I cleared my CA final exams. Result came on Jan 21st,
2013.
In these 7+ years of
corporate life, I have learned many lessons, learnt new things and have gone
through some very tough times as well. I like to share my experiences with the
intent that someone can learn from mistakes.
Below are my key learnings:-
1. I was not selected in CA
Campus Placements. Only Genpact and IBM Shortlisted my profile and during the
Group Discussion stage, I was rejected from both of them. I knew about the
topic on which we as a group were supposed to speak. But when my chance came,
due to nervousness I guess, I could not speak. It was just so embarrassing for
me. I am sure this must have happened with many of you newly qualified CA's.
Guys- Do not put yourself
under so much pressure during the job interviews. Be Natural and Be Who you
are- So that you won't repeat the mistake I did. I went to washroom and cried
for 10 minutes. Talked to myself that this is not the end of the world for me
and did everything possible to get my senses back. I realised that I am only 21
years old now and whole life is waiting for me.
Deep down in my heart, I
knew something better is coming for me, but I have to be mentally prepared to
grab the chance. When I came out of the washroom, I felt that I am a changed
person altogether. Sometimes, our best character and abilities come out when we
are knocked down hard by life. Embrace those hard times and those missed
chances because that will make you a better person altogether.
2. I am a huge fan of
cricket. On the day of my campus placements, India vs Australia Test Match was
going on in Mohali and ShikharDhawan hit a brilliant century on his debut. I
saw the score on my phone, took the Delhi metro and came to my home. My father
asked- What happened. I said to him that I missed the chances in both the
companies. He said Don't worry, you will get a good Job very soon. I enjoyed
the match and I never thought about that day ever again.
After 1 month, I was
heading towards HCL on my joining day. To be honest- HCL Interview was worse
than the campus placement interview. Then also, I made it. The point I am
trying to make here is that- "We won't receive what we Want, We will get What
We Need..and that too at the perfect time". Let God handle these things.
All we can do is to focus on our efforts.
3. I joined in HCL as a
Management Trainee in SAP Profile. I did not knew anything about the SAP
profile, but I was being told that they will give me 1 month training. So, I
was happy that at-least I am going to learn something which is new and unique.
3 more CA's also joined with me in the same profile. It's been 6.5 years for me
in this profile and it's one of the biggest game changer for me, considering
the lack of jobs and better opportunities for newly qualified CA's.
When i joined in this
profile, many of my friends suggested that you should remain in the traditional
profile of Accounts and Finance. Some warned me that I am spoiling my career by
going in IT sector. Friends, we all know that how much our day to day lives are
changing due to artificial intelligence and automation. Our role of CA's are
not the same as it was 10-15 years back. Many of the work which we use to do in
excel sheets are now getting automated. We as CA's should keep on evolving
ourselves. Preparing Balance sheets and Trial Balance are now things of past.
Our economy is going through a tough phase of recession and if we keep
ourselves attached to the old mindset, then we have nothing but ourselves to
blame.
One thing which I would
like to highlight is that- It's not compulsory that we have to work only in
those domains in which we study and pass the exams. Harsh Truth is- There is a
World of difference between What we study for 5 years and What we actually work
in next 20-30 years to live our lives.
4. I always try to help
people especially of CA Fraternity in one way or the other. Many students take
unnecessary pressure when they are not able to clear the exams. So many
students are staying in Delhi NCR, away from their families just for CA studies
and exams. This CA Journey is a Journey of a lifetime. We all go through so
much mentally and emotionally. We should all extend whatever help we can
provide to existing students. I have realised that this course requires one to
have patience and at the same time one has to keep pushing himself/herself by
doing consistent activities.
5. Do not depend on one
source of Income. When we become CA, we think that our lives are set now. CA is
a degree which we have earned. Now to make full utilisation of this, we have to
make sure we enter into different domains and generate multiple sources of
income. Pursue your passion or any other thing which gives you excitement and
fun. Make your life worth living by living it to the best. Do not overwork in
life. Earn money, make good friends and use that money to gain experiences.
6. Never leave any
organisation on a bad note. Do not spoil relations with any one in office. If
you are facing any challenges, communicate the same to the concerned person and
then discuss on resolutions. If you decide to part ways, then do it formally
and communicate the clear reasons. Do not bring Ego in between.
7. We always get taught
what we have to do to get success and become CA's. No one tells us or prepares
us for the Plan B in life. What if- if someone takes 2 years to clear CA finals
exam. What if- if a student is going through a personal problem of his/her own.
What if- if a student is not getting the proper emotional support from his/her
family during the results time.
No one teaches us on how
to manage our Emotions and feelings, how to handle peer pressure from family
and society, how to handle failed relationships during exams, how to maintain
the focus on studies even if your life is falling apart. We need to accept that
we are humans and during this CA Journey of 5 years, we go through so much
apart from CA Studies. There are so many support systems for students on How to
clear the Exams. Please help in anyway possible, if you have any such students
in your network.
Let's be a Support System for students and our Peers on How to live a Successful and Peaceful Life. Talking to a person even for 15-20 mins and sharing your experience can change his/her life.
Wouldn't it be a good idea to create a course?
