Sometimes, it is good to think about the past and reflect. Its
time to say Good bye to an eventful decade!!
I started this decade with my
first job. On January 11, 2010, I joined in Infosys as a Systems Engineer. While
some of my friends told they want to switch job after 2 years for a salary hike
or promotion, I had decided that I would never leave job, after all, the brand Infosys
had great market value and I hate changes in life. The same person had submitted
resignation on January 11,2012 even without getting another job, because he
started to hate Java and even computer! And those who said they would quit job in 2
years are still in Infosys, either in India or in US. But first job is always
close to heart and once an Infoscion is always an Infoscion! Two good things happened in my life
were 6 months stay in Mysore Campus and the development of blogger in me. On
April 11,2012 I said Good bye to Infosys! (On the same day there were
tremors felt at Trivandrum and the entire Ship building(Infosys SEZ Building, Trivandrum) was evacuated! )
Like many other engineers, I also
‘realized’ that the best way to shift from IT is holding an MBA certificate. There came the IMS coaching days where I got chance to meet two great faculties and a lot of good
friends. Unexpected side effect of CAT preparation was that, I cleared IBPS and
became a banker – joined as Probationary Officer in Federal Bank on November
19,2012. But I felt bad as how can an engineer become a banker.(Later I realized B Tech means Banking Technology). But I had also
cleared IRMA exams at the same time. Thanks to then HR head of Federal Bank,
who supported me to resign from Federal Bank and join IRMA. Thus after a sweet
short 6 months in Federal Bank, I left the job on 13th June 2013 and
reached Anand on 15th June 2013.
IRMA is the best thing happened
in my life. I realized that Kerala is not the whole world and I should broaden
my mind. I celebrated Navrathri and Holi for first time in my life. I wore
sweater for first time in life. I realized that sun can be cruel and can touch
46-48 degrees in summer.Being from Kerala, I was surprised to see people who had never
seen a sea/ocean in their life till then! But more importantly I started to see
India beyond the Western Ghats. The Rural India, supply chain of commodities,
microfinance, marketing, co operatives, FPOs, NGOs, great professors and friends.
I was happy that I left both jobs so that I got a chance to be at Anand. If there is a heaven on earth it is this, it is this it is this. (Neither Kashmir, nor Kerala). I like
to give a big salute to Dr. Verghese Kurien for changing the life of millions
of people. He was at the right place at right time.
Then comes a few months of
testing period where I had to take a decision between corporate or development sector.
I chose later first and changed decision to former within 5 months as life is also about
self sustainability and repayment of loans(education loan).
On October 5,2015 I joined in
ESAF Microfinance which means Engineer became
Banker again! ESAF had shown me the world of finance – Debentures, Bonds,
Securitization, Bank Loans etc. I am really happy that I could see how an
organization had transformed itself from an NBFC to a Small Finance Bank.
On March 18, 2017, my better half
joined with me for the rest of journey. I welcomed Sreejaya to my Life. She is a goddess. Sometimes Saraswati, Sometimes Durga and Sometimes (Bhadra)Kaali.I believe we started our journey well for the next five -six decades to come.
As I thought life is going to settle down
after marriage and ESAF will be my final organization, the next twist happened and I joined in Axis Bank as a Credit Analyst on February 5,2018 .From Axis, I learnt how to read P&L and Balance sheet. Also,the 'political' knowledge I gained from Axis Bank was more than the Credit Knowledge I learnt.
And finally, another job shift to
ICICI Bank on September 25, 2019.
Thus, Sumodh, the person who
wanted to live his entire life in first job had completed his post graduation
and switched job four times within a decade and in the end, he is still an
Engineer by qualification and a Banker by profession! Perhaps this is the
reason why I believe in God. Man proposes, God disposes! But whatever god gave is better than what I planned.
I hope next decade will give me
lot of good positive surprises except changing jobs.
Wishing you all a very happy new
Decade!
