The result for the last semester of 5-year BE degree course was already declared. My performance, in terms of the overall marks secured, was quite encouraging. The first, and obvious, outcome was that I already had shaken out from my lazy, drifting, occupation of keeping myself “busy’ with library visits to ‘prepare’ myself for the entrance tests for the applications I had put in Jamanalal Bajaj Institute, Bombay and BITS, Pilani.
I was now, also, aware that my first priority was to search for possibilities of getting a job. But the stark fact was that I had no idea whatsoever as to what kind of job I should look for, where to find a job and how to approach the potential employer, how to prepare for the interview and such related issues.
My father was outing in the word with colleagues to see if they knew anyone who can provide me some opening. I, too, had heard the awakening from the slumber bell alright. But the inertia of lack of knowledge about ‘how to get the first job’ had not really put me to an active search-apply-interview’ motion. My daily reading contents at the local library had expanded to looking out for the ‘wanted’ columns in the pan-Gujarat presence English and Gujarati dailies at the library. I had also started working on the possible draft of my application for the job. My discussions with our neighbour academic colleagues, who were all doctorates in their respective fields, of my father now included getting in their inputs for drafting of the format and content of the applications.
Those were still not the days of getting the testimonials photocopied. One had to get these testimonials typed and get them certified with nominated authorities. As such, I started off with getting such copies typed out, go my father’s college and get the already typed copies duly authorised by any professor who as free enough on the given day. I was advised that I should get my copies of the SSC Board examination and the ten semester examinations of the BE degree course marksheets certified only by the Principal of the college, since that would make the duly authenticated “True Copy’ look more authentic!
Just as this turmoil of mind was gaining the momentum, I received a registered letter from BITS, Pilani. It was the call letter for the entrance test for the 2-year MBA post-graduate program!!
As soon as I finished reading the letter, I started of the meet my father at his office. Without much discussion, the first decision immediately after he finished reading that letter was that I should take that test.
My experiences of the maiden trip to Pilani in the next episode
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