Note to myself

It takes 12 years on an average to develop a new drug. We started in 2000 and nine years later, I still do not know if we will succeed. So mine could be a wasted life, completely. But what an amazing challenge to try and understand this mystery called the human body.

- Dr Swati Piramal, director of Piramal Healthcare speaking to Nadine Kresiberger in the Indian Express today.

Words which ring so true but alas most of us can't - or don't wish to - get the message. Decode Swati's soundbyte and the general formula goes thus:

Find something you love and then pursue it.
Don't constantly hanker for results - they will come.
But meanwhile, enjoy the journey.
Because that's all you have, in this moment!

Besides, once you reach that goal, there's another one waiting to be achieved. Which makes 'happiness' an illusion ever out of reach. Like Waiting for Godot.

But hey, TV par philosophy kaise jhaadoon? People make wrong choices in life and then want practical solutions on how to leap from one career into another with no pain, no risk, no sweat at all.

So this week on my show 'Stay Hungry', I had a 29 year old MNC employee who thinks his salvation lies in supply chain management. (Why - just!)

A young engineer who went into journalism and one year later is preparing to attack CAT with a view to joining MICA. (But why, journalism mein kya kami hai, I say!)

And most interestingly, a professor of Persian from Aligarh who now wants to get into "professional line". (As if teaching is menial!)

Then, being admissions season this is that time of year when folks write to me with Qs like:

Can you suggest which of the following course is better at Symbosis, Pune
A) BBA- IT
B) BCA-
C) BSc- Economics: started recently.

I say 'better' or 'worse' by what yardstick? If I hate IT then options a) and b) will suck for me - no matter what. Why, oh why, is that not obvious?

As an expert I can at best shine a light down a pathway or two but the real power lies when you navigate the jungle of life. Using the compass that lies within each of us.

It's really that simple.

And here's a tip for all those who wail but "I don't know, I don't know what I like". Hell, you don't.

But you do know what you DON'T like. List that down and make sure you are not entering that field of study. Believe me, no degree is as valuable as the application of mind and heart that you bring to the table.

To sum up the 'note to myself' for this season of admissions and decisions: Trust your instincts.

If your mind is confused and unsettled, listen to your body. If your hands go cold, your head feels heavy or your stomach wobbles - it means NO WAY JOSE.

Now go out there and conquer the world!

Engineering aspirants - call in with your queries

Engineering entrance is the subject of my show 'Stay Hungry' where I answer career queries on business news channel UTVi every Friday (that's this evening!)

If you're an engineering aspirant, Call UTVi on 022 40987300 and leave your name, number and question. We'll call you back! The show will be on this evening at 7 pm - live.

Joining me in the studio is Praveen Tyagi, founder and MD of IITians Pace Academy, and a graduate of IIT Delhi himself.

Apart from IIT - where seats have increased this year by 20% - there are numerous very fine institutes like BITs, NITs and also local and regional colleges of repute. And of course there are fundamental questions such as should you go for a branch of your choice or take a lesser branch in a well reputed college,

Slowdown or not, engineering remains a top choice for undergraduate education in India. A record number appeared for IIT JEE this year (384, 977 students!) which is a jump of 24% over the previous year.

Whether all these students really should be doing engineering is another question. One which I shall attempt to answer - on another show, another day!

And oh, if you can't get through to the Call UTVi number for any reason - just drop me a line with your contact details at rashmi_b at yahoo.com.

Internships @ JAM, and more

If you are BMM or BMS/ Arts/ Commerce/ Science/ Engineering student thinking of a career in the media, you might want to apply to work as an intern with JAM magazine.

You must have excellent English, be web savvy and open to do anything and everything in terms of reporting, writing, editing and uploading.

The internship is essentially for experience - you will get a recommendation letter if you successfully complete it. There is no stipend, only a small travel allowance.

The position is in Mumbai and duration minimum of 4 weeks. Drop me a line asap at rashmi_b at yahoo.com if interested!

The Stay Hungry show
Also, a small update on my new show on UTVi. In a happy turn of events it's now called the 'Stay Hungry' show and the first episode went off well... Although there is always scope to get better and better :)

I realise many of you are not near a TV at 7 pm, especially on a Friday; will try and put it up on Youtube. There is also a repeat telecast on Sat early morning ie 1230 am.

The subject for the 'Stay Hungry' show on this Friday (15th May) is the advertising industry. So if you have any queries on copywriting/ media planning/ client servicing / what have you, feel free to email me with your contact details. Again at rashmi_b at yahoo.com.

The hills are alive!
Lastly, I have a lot to write about my recent trip to Kumaon. Yes, it was only five days but heavenly nevertheless. We live in such an amazing country, where there's always something more to discover.

Details in my next post!