Bid Adieu to an eventful decade

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 13^th June 2013 and reached Anand on 15^th 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!