Message for final yearites at IIT Roorkee

I know I'm not writing this at the happiest of times but I feel that I should share my 2 cents with you on the placement scenario that you are witnessing right now.

First, the recession that we are seeing right now has spared noone. You might think that as techies, a financial meltdown should not have affected you. The problem is - it is no longer a financial crisis, but an economic one. No sector, no company, no country or region has been spared from the repercussions. When a giant tree falls, it takes down all surrounding plants with it. So, you have to come to terms with the fact that you are a part of the entire system and what we are seeing right now is a systemic problem - it affects all of us - all IITs, IIMs, MITs, Stanfords, Harvards, EVERYONE.

But the news is not all bad. The world economy works in a cyclical fashion like the symphony of an orchestra. After the crescendo, there is bound to be a lull. The boom that had been perpetuating over the last few years had to go bust someday. Unfortunately, it went bust together at many places and at the same time. However, the cyclical nature also ensures that the sine curve would take an upswing after hitting the bottom. So, things can only get better from here. Take my word for it.

You might be wondering - Why me? Why does this have to happen when I'm in my final year? Frankly speaking, there is no answer to that question. But the truth of the matter is - it really would not matter 2-3 years down the line. Some of you would crack CAT and go to a B-school, some of you might go for higher studies, and some of you will join the corporate world. You might not have the "choice" right now, but you will have the choice after 2 years. I say this for 2 reasons - first, you would have added to your skilll set significantly by then and second, the economy would be on its way to an upswing and the industry would need bright minds like you to take charge and drive the next growth engine.

Think a little bit. Is not having a choice at this point really all that bad? When you gave JEE, did you know it through and through that you wanted to be an engineer? When you chose (or rather bargained on the basis of your AIR) your branch, did you really know what you were getting into? At least, i did not and I bet most of us did not. The point is, it all turned out fine in the end, isn't it. Who of us would think badly about our 4/5 years at IIT? Noone. Not having a choice doesn't mean not having the choice to make it awesome. And you can do precisely this wherever you go.

What I have said already may not apply to all of you but what I am going to say now is a universal thing. The modern day corporate world is a highly dynamic place. People get hired and fired everyday -left, right and centre. So where you land up in your first job is really not that material. You would invariably change it in the course of 1-2 years, may be even sooner. Ask your seniors about it and they'll reinforce my point. You guys are all IITians - a brand that'll stick to you as a mark of quality for life. You, of all people, would never have trouble moving in the industry.

When most of you joined IITR, it was barely an IIT - no internet, a teetering library, placements that stood nowhere in comparison to the other IITs. But now, in the last few years, you've seen it transform into a brilliant institution. Hasn't the journey been better. Getting a baked meal is easy, cooking the meal is where the fun is. When you join the industry at its lowest point, you would not only see the rebuilding process from an arm's length distance but would indeed be a part of it. And 10 years down the line, you can proudly proclaim - I helped rebuild this company/industry/economy. The fruits of labor now would be enormous. Believe me.

At this point of time, one of the most important exercises in character building is occurring. Not only do you have to brave the disappointments that come your way but you also need to help others get over it. More than any time else, you need to be with your friends and support them. I know it might be a little too much to ask but I would request the people who have got placed to resist the temptation of a long holiday at home and try to help put their friends who are yet to be placed.

As I end this tiringly long mail, I only want to let you know that though times are bad, they are not going to be so for long. Hope is what we can do and should do. Would like to end with an adage that motivated me during my summer placement process at IIMB.

"We do not often get what we want, but we always get what we deserve. And in the long run, what we deserve is so much more than all we ever wanted"

Best of luck to all of you.