When I was in school, my dream was to become a defence officer. In college my association with NCC and a ‘C’ Certificate boosted the same. Most of my peers in my class and in NCC shared similar dreams. Some of them also wanted to excel in corporate jobs. All defence aspirants were nick named colonel or general. Corporate ones were nick named Bill gates or Steve jobs. We loved it and tried to live up to nick names.
After graduation top scorers got admitted to either Post Graduation or BEd courses. Bottom liners like me had no option other than to searching for jobs. I started working for a private sector pharmaceutical company based on my degree in science. In fact my brother Madiah influenced that company to take me. I tried corporate jobs in large Companies. I could not clear their tests.
Then to actualise my dream I wrote CDS exam with an ego of having possession of NCC -‘C’ certificate . I thought ‘C’ certificate holders will be invited by army with a red carpet for SSB and I did not apply for that entry. In fact I was not aware that I have to apply for SSB. InInitially I could not get through CDSE. Reason was that I was aware that the syllabus for CDSE is class X level and multiple choice and it can be gambled with ease. After failing in 2 exams, I was absolutely sure that I have to forget succes in CDS if I write the exam without preparation.
So I studied 6 to 7 hours a day for CDS and other exams. I started writing exams for the top Government posts only. I thought small ones like clerical are below my standards.
I cleared CDS but was not recommended in Service Selection Board. Not once but 5 times. I cleared Assistant Commandant for CPOS not recommended by physical testing board. Then my age crossed 23 and I was desperate. I wrote exams for all posts. After few failures I joined as an Auditor in C&AG office through SSC -CGL exam. But I continued my preparation. It helped me in two fronts.
First, I started training students in my free time which I liked to do. Guided few hundred students in Bangalore. Second, I could pass departmental exams comfortably, and could update upgrade myself upto class I Officer post. After 25 years service I took VRS from my job and I am doing what I like. I teach and mentor aspirants for Government service exams. I have helped two candidates to get jobs and another two are waiting for interviews. More to follow.
Now looking back at my career the following lessons can be learned:
1. I started preparation late – one year after graduation. Had I started 3-4 years ahead, my career graph would been different. Somehow late preparing was tedious and missed some fun and events that had to happen at that age. Also I could get into corporate jobs, had I perfected competitive exams and interview skills. Most of my friends took long years to jump from unorganised sectors to organised ones or to get promotion to posts with good packages.
Lesson #1: Prepare for competitive exams early specifically during graduation. You have to balance lot of time. But it is better than your career train starting 3-4 years late.
2. I did preparation for exams but neglected interview skills. Hence my defence dreams remained as it is.
Lesson #2: Prepare for entire process of your dream job till finality. This worked for my daughter who is a trainee Officer in Indian Airforce now.
3. Most of my friends who joined post graduation became teachers soon after graduation. They got absorbed in their job. No time to explore the world. It affected their achievement curve compared to the bottom liners like me.
Lesson #3: Even when we get a good job, continue to enhance your capabilities to explore more greener pastures. Also it helps in elevating ourselves in departmental exams.
4. My knowledge improvement was huge while on teaching and mentoring. Improvement and success of my students make me more happy. Sense of pride is more when your students become more successful than ourselves doing it.
Lesson #4: Spread knowledge which boosts your happiness and is also a contribution to the society.
For more information and coaching for Government service exams – contact Chottekalapanda Prathvi Uthaiah – 9845013053
