Education matters....

It was the Year–end of 2000. Recession period started. Aaruv completed his BE in Mechanical Engineering from a well recognized Engineering College in Assam. Not getting a good job, he decided to pursue MBA in Delhi with a hope that the BE and an MBA degree together could probably lead up to a dazzling career.

Recession continued. Aaruv could not rely on the Campus interviews in completion of MBA. Started applying jobs here and there. One fine day, received a call for an interview... and ultimately selected as a sales and marketing executive of a good kitchen appliances manufacturing company. Only Aaruv can tell you what kind of feeling he had, how excited he was, getting his first job,  kick starting his career.....as if world was at his feet....stepping into the dreamed world.

First day in office. Aaruv reached in time. Infact before time. He was extremely excited and energetic to join his first job. He had already planned how he would spend his first salary, and also decided to give double effort to have more incentives. He was firm that he would buy one guitar for himself from his first salary.  

Aaruv was asked to sit in the reception. The receptionist was very cordial. She offered coffee to him. He observed that the office must have a very good corporate culture. Every employee, he had seen was wearing formal attire. Most of them were wearing tie too, like him. His offer letter also instructed that all employees should wear corporate/formal dress. 

Next to the reception, he suddenly saw few guys gathered in a room. Somebody gave some instructions for few minutes and then played loud music. Daler Mehendi was put to high decibels...seemed the guys were cheering and burning the floor. It continued till 15 minutes or so. After sometimes, there was silence. Aaruv was invited to join the group. The lead introduced himself to him as a qualified Engineer  and then introduced Aaruv to everyone. All greeted him well. The lead told him that this was a daily exercise before they start the day, to kick up their motivation and spirit for whole the day and bring positive energy. Then he asked Aaruv to accompany one of the teams to learn how to do sales and marketing.

So, expedition started. 

It was a crazy summer day in Delhi. The team of four boarded in a city bus. Two team members were carrying two boxes. They were really in high spirit....had been saying all praising words for the team lead....and general challenges they faced daily etc. They got down in Vasant Kunj bus stand and reached one gated community. The teamlead said, “Let’s not enter from the main gate, security personnel will not allow us to enter. There is broken wall nearby the dhobi shop. Let’s try that.” All followed him.

All were successful in entering the campus through the broken wall. The team lead said ‘hello’ to the dhobi too, showing his acquaintance and proving his frequency in visits. 

The first house. Just before putting finger on the calling bell, the teamlead asked to open the boxes. They were “Pressure Cookers” of two different designs. The team lead reminded everyone to behave like a Management student so that they can attack the soft corner of the prospects and silently repeated the sentence “We are Management students and doing a project. This is a high end product launched by…….company. The selling will help us getting good marks.”

The team lead rang the calling bell. One lady opened the door. The lead just started the crammed sentence –“We are Management students ………company……”

Dhuuuuu……ung……!!!!!!!! The lady closed the door. 

The teamlead consoled the others, “This is very normal. You need to be strong enough to be a sales & marketing professional.”

Next house. Ranged the bell. One old gentleman opened the door, started scolding, “Don’t you  have any other work than disturbing others. If needed, we will go to the market to buy these stuff, why I will buy from you…….!!” ……

Dhuuuuu…..ung………!!!!!!!!  Shut the door on their faces.

Aaruv was holding one Pressure Cooker that time. 

The team lead declared a cigarette break.....probably Wills Flake...the cheapest.....HUH still to hit target...no looking back...

Aaruv was hungry, frustrated and confused - did this profile really require the combination of BE and MBA degree??? 

His conscience was saying…. “Run…..Run……Run away Aaruv……….”