Employed Again !!

Today I got a call from TIAA-CREF informing me that I have been selected as their summer intern. So, about a year after I left my first job, I'm employed again !!! That has prompted me return to a blog, I had abandoned upon Brandeis IBS. The past 11 months has changed my mindset to that of a student. T'was a new experience to start reading text books and attending classes. But what am I experiencing right now, at this moment ??? To make sense out of this, I have to rewind my life to that one fine day in July 2008.

When I tendered my resignation letter on my final day at TCS, I was a little shaken. I couldn't say the final 'bye' to the HR personnel. Or rather my vocal glands failed to respond at all. I was overwhelmed with emotions which I really could not fathom, back then.

• Was it Nostalgia - after spending 3 years with an organization and making a career (and a lot of friends along the way) in the IT sector
  
• Or was it Fear - of being unemployed during a recession and into an uncertain future
  
• Was it Complacence - satisfied with my job and profile and hence questioned the immediate need to do an MBA
• Was it Stage Fright - am I ready for the next big thing in life
• Or was it Eagerness - just impatient to take the next step. Like a virgin getting ready for a honeymoon.

I really could not pin point anything at all. Whatever it was, it faded away after a couple of days. But today I was hit by the same set of emotions again. Some of them were inverted.

Nostalgia remains the same. Every passing year adds more value to it. Fear and Complacence (although not entirely) were out and in came, Confidence. Eagerness and Stagefright were replaced by a 'been there done that' feeling. On top of that, I feel I have taken the next big step for my post-MBA career.

At this juncture, I wish to thank all those who had helped me to this point in my life. My grandparents who pray for my success, day in and out. My mom who has been a great friend and well wisher. My ever supportive Dad. Deepak - my brother, who helped me out with the job search process. My sweetheart (wife-in-waiting), Suchithra, without whom it would have been hard to settle in the US - not to mention her love and support. And a special note to two of my friends who inspired (in contrasting ways) me to do an MBA - Adithya and Saigopal. I am really grateful to you all.

All I can say now, is this : It's great to start working again - I'm alive once more