According to the well-regimented schedule designed by K my first blog post was supposed to make its much celebrated and awaited entry to the ISB Blog on November 21, 2008. However, I encountered what people call the writer’s block – if I can take the liberty of calling myself one (do I hear Mr. Wodehouse turning in his grave in absolute disgust?.) I could not find myself to write a blog entry under duress, which I conveniently blamed on a serious dearth of inspiration. However, the happenings of Day 1 of placements have deeply inspired me to write one. Thus here I am – holed up in an obscure corner of the LRC (Learning Resource Center for the uninitiated), typing furiously on my laptop.

 

For someone who used to seek solace in certainty, I have now been conditioned to embrace something which I hated the most in life – change. Even Mr. Murphy, of Murphy’s law fame, would have been a wee bit unsettled as the events of the year unfolded. Markets crumbled, companies collapsed, opportunities evaporated, anxieties soared, golden parachutes made emergency landings and I could just go on and on – but you get the drift by now. However, in retrospect I believe that this year has been a tremendous character building exercise. As a batch we have been able to collectively weather many tough situations, a very small part of which was played by the academic rigor of the program.

 

Day 1 at ISB has been a resounding success. I would be dishonest not to admit that this year has brought in its wake some of the greatest challenges in the placement season. However, as my wise mentor once said – these things eventually don’t matter in the long run. What does matter, and what I will remember is the tremendous show of camaraderie by the batch. On a philosophical note I have realized, that setbacks are temporary and disappointments are transient. Realities don’t change, but if attitudes and coping mechanisms do, then life becomes a lot easier. It’s the end of Day 1 of placements at ISB, and I still don’t have my “dream job” in sight. However, the one thing I need when I step out of school in April, besides Porters Five Forces Model of course, is the network that I build. On a brutally honest note, B-School education is highly overrated, but what stays with you for the rest of your life is the goodwill that you earn and the character that you build. Because queuing formulas and regression charts can take you only thus far, no further.

 

 

 

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