Getting up early in the morning is usually not my thing but last Thursday, I had to get up and leave home by 8:30. No, it wasn’t for college as I am past that stage now. Just like any other graduate student, I had an interview scheduled for me. No, I didn’t go in formals as I am again past that stage now where more than focusing on my dress or my hair-do or my footwear, I rather choose to focus on my confidence level. But the question is, is my confidence level enough to be able to match the unrealistic demands of the corporate sector?
Welcome to the world of the corporate sector and trust me it is nothing like the comfortable and fun college life. This was my third interview. Previously, I had appeared for two interviews but was rejected. Well, like others, I considered myself as highly incompetent to have been rejected mercilessly by two companies and I accept that, yes, something is surely missing in me. But what is it? Is it confidence, talent or both? Sitting for the interviews has definitely made me realise my shortcomings but the same has also enlightened me to the scary or the ugly face of the corporate sector.
In the present scenario of cut throat competition, only those people can survive who are incredibly talented or outstandingly intelligent. Yes, you read it right, [envoke_twitter_link]the present world is no home for ‘average’ people[/envoke_twitter_link]. I accept the fact that I am mediocre with an average intellect. I am ‘average’ in everything – in maths, language, science, logical reasoning, everything. And if you have gone through the job descriptions of the companies, you will easily know my level of incompetence. The words like “extremely talented”, “outstanding communication skills”, “good experience” makes up half of the paragraph and this is where the problem lies. The saddest thing is that every company wants the best in their employees and yet no one wants to teach or guide you to achieve that.
This is not just limited to the corporate sector but other institutions as well specifically the current education system which seems to be all about marks rather than knowledge. The higher you score the brighter your future will be and, again, the average scorers remain at the periphery (and note that I am not even mentioning those who barely manage to pass or don’t). In schools and colleges, it is just about marks. Similarly, in the corporate sector, it is just about profits and money. Consider yourself lucky if you are born talented or if you have inherited a sharp mind from your parents because this world actually gives a chance to no one to polish their skills or refine their minds. They all want machines, robots from whom the companies can profit. No one wants to teach or truly guide anyone. We all are expected to be just ‘perfect’ with all the superhuman traits.
Yet, being the ‘average’ person, I am an optimist as I know that we all have the potential to achieve whatever we want. We have some exceptional examples of people who rose from the ashes and are now on cloud nine because of their strong determination and hard work. These are the people who fought against all odds, who didn’t let rejections crush their spirit. It would be wrong to say that only institutions could lead you to the path of greatness. No, it’s not true. It is us who need to look inside ourselves, polish our minds and achieve what we deem is best for us.
The unrealistic demands of the corporate sector and educational institutions with an absence of proper guidance or learning mechanisms has made the ‘average’ person like me to believe that we are no good to this present world. We are extremely sorry that we are born as humans and not as super humans who already, right from birth, have the capability to achieve the best. We, the ‘average’ people apologise deeply that we are looking for an institution which truly prioritises knowledge and learning (not rote learning) and not just blabber about competition.
Featured image credit: World Relief Spokane/Flickr(modified).