One good thing about getting your education from a reputed institute is that you have a really good alumni base who are always ready to mentor you. Please don’t leave any opportunity to meet and interact with such people. We had our alumni convention to felicitate the batch of 1983 (the silver jubilee batch). The panel for the interactive session comprised of
- Mr. T. R. Varadhan – An entrepreneur in the business of mechanical seals and safety devices (turnover Rs. 23 crores)
- Mr. Rajshekar Krishnan – General Manager of Learning, Diversity & Worforce at IBM
- Mr. N. Venkat – CEO Emami Group
- Mr. Rajeev Dube – Vice President, Passenger Car Division of TATA Motors
I will try and relive the session as best as I can.
Audience : How can entrepreneurship be taught ? Since we are not at all happy with the entrepreneurship course being taught to us.
Panel : Whatever you do, you got to have a lot of self belief in you. Keep educating yourself. No successful entrepreneur has ever been ‘taught’ to be an entrepreneur.
Audience : How do I weigh my options as to whether I should go for post graduation or start working for a company or to startup on my own ?
Panel : As a rule of thumb, educate yourself and do your post grads and phd’s when the economy is in the downturn. The recession is a cyclical thing, so that should not be a problem. If you are not happy with the job you are getting, go ahead and educate yourself for 2 more years and then start. But again, you have to decide for yourself. Find what is best for you by knowing your passion and grabbing the opportunities that come your way.
Audience : I have an interest in the investment banking industry, inspite of it being in doldrums I want to be a part of it. What do you suggest ? (asked by a third year student)
Panel : First of all, you only have virtual knowledge of the industry. Only once you have hands on knowledge of the investment banking industry can you express your true interest. Since we are not palmists we cannot point out where you should go. But make sure you have hands on research.
Audience : I want to be an entrepreneur, but I’m not sure in which field ?
Panel : Please don’t be an entrepreneur just because its the cool thing to be these days. If your father does not have enough money, don’t be an entrepreneur. Don’t put all your life’s savings in one endeavour. If you have to be into business you have to know how to procure money.
Audience : What if someone hasn’t got a passion in anything ? Everyone keeps talking about following one’s passion.
Panel (laughs) : Its important to not give up the search. Keep finding what your passion is. If you look at yourself and think of yourself as a stupid while others seem to be very clear, then you’ll end up doing nothing. If you don’t have passion in anything I would recommend you to do what you are currently doing sincerely. Write your tutorials and practicals with sincerity. Give your exams well. Even if you copy your assignments, copy them well. While doing your present tense things well you’ll find your passion sooner rather than later.
Panel gave out their cards to the students and wished them luck. It was an extremely valuable session for everyone. Everyone was clearer in their minds than when they came. I believe this is the best entrepreneurship course that can be designed. All you need is a successful person sharing his experiences with you. I wish I could have remembered everything that was said to make for a great post.
Global Businesses, India and Manufacturing 