I have been thinking of this for a loong time, finally thought not to procrastinate anymore. I have been in this booming industry for almost 2.5 years now and so find myself eligible to comment on the same without any hesitation (infact it seems that I am senior in my project,see that’s what IT does to experience).
But before proceeding further, I just want to give a disclaimer that the situation is as I perceive it and with respect to India ,especially Indian companies and more with respect to maintenance and testing aspect of IT and not all are my personal experiences(some are).
So now that I have made amends for possible back slashes and fight backs on the situation, I hope to write my feelings without guilt of hurting anyone.
Imagine this situation, especially during appraisal time:
"
You can not be given more than this since
1.You didn’t do any value additions for the client...
2.You didnt do any 'more'certifications....
3.You didnt give any business proposal to the client...
4.You didnt listen to the clients ... "
and many such slurs on a perfectly respectable job that you would have done....
and your answers
" 1.There were more number people on the project than necessary, i gave the idea of reducing the number of people , but promptly looked upon as traitor to 'our' company since that means reduced revenue from the client.......so why are you acting concerned about the client?
2. I do just front end testing, so how can I understand some concepts without given an opportunity for the same. I asked for a chance to design/develop something but readily refused since it involved asking the client.
3. I am just a front level testing engineer, how can I give a business proposal, How can I make the current account with the client survive when the business units can not
4.All through the year I listen to the clients, is it wrong to go on leave for my marriage "
With respect to the fourth answer, its a reply written as an example of the height of slavery and frustration caused by some of the so called managers(Most of them, the rest of the good people dont mistake me).By the way,I am not getting married any time soon( i have to mention this because ,some of my friends have started Congratulating(!!!!!) me on the same.Sorry for sending the wrong signals!!!
Well, these are the answers that you would not have given, since that involves an "attitude" problem.
And the under liner here is you might have been a gold medallist in your college and the guy with the maximum number of arrears in your own class will be a developer here and might look down upon you for being a tester....now I am not saying, guys with arrears are not intelligent but surely a gold medallist is not a nitwit. So the ramblings will go on.
The reason for the same:
1.Indian companies are myopic and are cornering all the left out markets by the developed countries.
2. Aspiring engineers are not given the correct scenario; they are promised pasture green lands when the reality is dry hard lands.
3. Some people get very 'official' and dampen the career of really intelligent people.
The solution:
Either try for a bigger pie in IT or at least do not promise the discovery of a bold new land. Be truthful.
And for the people like me who hate this sort of politics and boredom in IT:
Be bold and don’t worsen the situation for the future probables in this sector by petty politics when you are in a good position.
Well this is just the part I of my observations from the front line 'associate' stakeholder point of view, probably i will try to come up with a more vindictive analysis on how this affects the Psychological health of fresh graduates and dreamers like me.
I know some people might be enjoying the multitude of bounties IT endowes on a normal middle class aspirant, but looking beyond the some people who get lucky, there is lot of unevenness in the terrain of this wonderful precipitator of economic boom in India.
Comments
juz 4 that, so let me give my gyaan too! :)
U see, to me it is a perfectly-phunny world...I mean I wud tend to agree with you from the 'associate' stakeholder view, but Business and '100% Morality' or '100% Ethics' never go hand-in-hand. And I really don't blame the IT coz for promising what they do..coz there are cases where what they say/project is really true, may be not in the 100% complete sense of it across their organisations.
Also, with every other acquaintance of yours in the IT industry, almost everyody is kinda
aware of the job-culture, work, and the so-called performance-recognition standards/measures. Why is it then that not just few, but hoardes of non-CS and non-IT
engineers, take the decision to move into IT firms? Nobody is compelling them right, its just that the industry is booming and providing ample opportunities! If you are the so-called gold-medallist, you have enough ways to prove yourself. Its up to you to find out the right path, the way, the road to do that!
And you only learn by doing, by getting your hands dirty in the job. And if one is smart enough to find him/herself more often than not out of place in the set-up/game-of-job, he/she would certainly chart out a new path, a new way for oneself, to satisfy his/her personal and professional needs! (Juz like what U R doing!!) :)
Btw, now I know the reason why U did not invite us for your marriage; coz U could not get leave for IT!?!! ;)
Cheers!!
MS
and btw ...i meant that comment to exaggerate [:)]
With 2.5 yrs experience in any job (IT/sales/steel?/auto/anythin else) if we cannot contribute back to the client, I want to perceive it as lack of ambition. I agree with 2.5 years in another industry you might not even have met the design team, but you have the chance here.
And there is no point in doing just what is said. It is always the last mile that takes you places and the initiative must be internal.
And how long can politics underplay quality? I know you have a burning will to delete this comment, we can always take this issue offline!