Thanks Ramya for the engaging conversation last evening. I’m sure Accenture wouldn’t be too pleased to read this! But nonetheless, you won yourself a surprise gift for the surprise idea.
I’m looking for the answer that settles this question once and for all: what is the right age to enter the workforce?
If that question is leading you to think in the direction of child labor, pause. What’s running through my head after close to a year in the corporate world is more or less what almost every other kid of my age is thinking, which is: work life sucks. I want to go back to college.
Let’s call this the calf syndrome. If you’ve seen a new born calf, you’ll know that anytime it tries to stand on its fours, the legs slip away in the opposite directions and give way. The calf lands with a thud and stays comfortable sitting. Until the legs stiffen up and get strong, the calf cannot do much but to stand and fall again.
The first year (at least) out of college into the workplace is like that in my opinion. You are trying to find your feet. Suddenly, the world looks bigger and more unforgiving than you initially anticipated. You come to realize that the kid in class who told you that rules are meant to be broken wasn’t quite right, after all. You get your Form 16 and you have no clue what it even means. All of a sudden, that thing called independence is no-where to be seen. For those of you still in college, you’ve been warned.
You know where I’m going with this. Close your eyes for a moment to all those souls who are crying to get back to college.
I’m reminded of an old joke that did the rounds: What’s common to an engineering college and a public toilet? Answer: The ones outside want to get in and the ones inside want to get out.
You can substitute ‘engineering college’ in that joke with ‘corporate’. And if you’re a fan of Shawshank Redemption, the calf syndrome lasts till you get institutionalized. How long would that be?
Depends.
8 comments:
Interesting.
But being fan of Shawshank Redemption, "Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free."
I wonder how is it that only a few months back have i started visiting your blog!
So, true!
Dude
the post is very good……cant disagree with your point. BTW I am fan of Shawshank Redemption as well as your articles too.
It's amazing how so many people think of academia as a substitute for work and that some how assume academia is so very different and that after one year of corporate experience, somehow find themselves with an overwhelming urge to go back to college.
What's so lucrative about college?
The Form 16 thing is so true!!!
Tax payment sessions are all greek n latin to me..lol!
Oh common... you got this from her?? she is so lazy even after 3 yrs she will be complaining the same... i'll not be surprised!! :)
Thanks all for the views.
@ Anonymous:
When someone says they want to go back to college, what they really mean is they want the friends, fun and frolic of college.. that care-free life. The responsibility and accountability of corporate (which is a part of academia too)comes as a jolt.
@ Rookie:
nothing to do with the topic at hand, but I love that line you've mentioned.
@Sampathkumar:
You just won yourself a year's subscription to my blog.
@Vidya:
I've got a debate going on here because I paid close attention to what Ramya said. Maybe the lazy days ARE over for her!
@Ramya:
Isn't it?
I m working from two yrs n still not got 'institutionalised'... Still hoping to live that last day of college once more....
@rookie
How much more hope do you need to set free?
I think one can never get institutionalised... Though he knows those days wont ever return, but somewhere he keeps hoping...
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