My journey into Human Resources

A few days ago I was speaking to a dear friend of mine.  He enquired after my work and I recounted to him how busy I had been these past few months helping drive a big global change program within my organisation which was taking me to various parts of the world, while also trying to keep pace with some other interests...like helping develop next generation HR professionals and my involvement with Madura Microfinance.  He listened intently to me and then suggested that I begin to chronicle insights which I was gaining through my pursuits.  The idea resonated and I assured him I would give it a shot.  And - as often happens to me these days - when I finally sat down on my laptop, no bright ideas and inspiring insights sprouted from the brain!  I fell into a reverie and images of my college days flashed by...the period of my life when I was searching for a vocation to pursue. 

So here goes - a journey that began in 1990 when I was in the second year of my undergraduate degree, wondering what the future held for me...

As my college years were drawing to a close, the question of which profession to pursue had become of utmost importance.  Most of my friends were intent on a career in management, which became a natural choice for me as well.  Like everyone else, I began the groundwork...learning about eligibility criteria and selection processes, getting to know which institutions to apply to, etc.  Over time, people began preparation in earnest and pressure began to mount.  Most of our conversations centred around our scores in mock tests, and how we felt about our chances to secure admission in a good university.  During those early days of economic liberalisation, very few career options were available.  For the vast majority of graduates in liberal arts who would live and work in India, management was a highly sought after choice.  Hundreds of thousands of people competed fiercely for few seats in coveted institutions. Which meant that each one of us needed to be able to distinguish ourselves from scores of applicants and impress the selectors with our stellar managerial potential.  So this was make or break time...

Most of my friends were determined to specialise in Marketing or Finance, as these offered the most lucrative opportunities in the long run.  They all seemed clear and confident on the direction to take.  I, on the other hand, was confused.  I struggled to see myself making a living selling soaps and shampoos.  Nor was the prospect of juggling numbers on balance sheets entirely fascinating.  To make matters worse, my academic record of the past two years was highly unlikely to impress a jury of academicians.  The freedom of being in college had led me to explore several interests, most of which happened to be outside of the classroom!  Finally, in the midst of all the noise and pressure, I decided to go back to the basics and determine where I could fit in the grand scheme of this universe.  There were a few questions needing answers.  Did I even know what a career in management would feel like?  What would I actually do?  Would that be meaningful and enjoyable?  Would I be good at it? 

One day I walked up to the majestic library building in the JNU campus - one of the few privileges of living on a university campus - to seek some answers.  I located the section on Management and began to browse the vast collection in search of a basic book that would teach me what management was all about.  When I got back to my desk, I had a small stack of books.  Over the next few hours I read about the various disciplines in management - Finance, Marketing, Information Technology, Operations...and finally Personnel Management...which caught my attention!  I began to dive further ... recruitment, training, performance management, compensation.  My interest was piqued and I read more in the coming days.  I came across theories of motivation and behaviour and how organisations sought to align the needs of individuals and groups with their overall goals. It was all very fascinating.  Surely this was a very special area.  Wasn't this all about unlocking the potential of human beings within organisations?  How cool would that be...

One of the characteristics of student life in India is how the elders within one's social ecosystem surround you to share their wisdom on the path to take in life.  I too was not short of well wishers and advisers.  When people learnt about my new found interest, I was cautioned against pursuing it...Personnel Management was considered to be a second tier management function.  There were varying opinions and none sounded very encouraging...some said that it was just a drag on revenues.  Others felt it was a political hotbed to broker deals between the top management and trade unions.  Perceptions of being the proverbial agony aunt abounded.  I listened with attention - all these people meant well - but everything I heard failed to alter my position.  I remained steadfast in my desire to become a human resources professional.

Gaining an entry though turned out to be a totally different ballgame.  In my first attempt, nearly all the leading management institutes rejected me.  I did make it past written tests and got called for interviews.  But none of the sincerity with which I explained my interest cut muster with the selectors.  They frowned upon my average academic track record.  Or tested my knowledge on completely unrelated areas.  In an interview with one of India's leading management institutions, I was asked to expound on the Wiemar Republic...only because I had happened to mention that my father was a professor of modern European history! 

It would take almost two years, several rejections (in some cases twice), a failed attempt as an apprentice in a firm of Chartered Accountants, as well as a stint in marketing research, before I finally walked in for my first lecture in a Master's programme in Personnel Management.  Two years during which I had all but lost hope of pursuing my passion and was reconciling to a life of compromise.

I was immensely grateful for this opportunity, given that it had come to me after a protracted struggle.  As a management student I worked hard, often blurring the distinction between day and night.  I involved myself in activities of the institute and established a strong work ethic, something that has stayed with me till today.  I was idealistic and rebellious at the same time, attending only those classes where I felt I had something new to learn...which once almost resulted in expulsion as my professor did not entirely agree with my point of view. 

But more on that another day. 

My travels have brought me back to Bangalore, and a Sunday brunch at my favourite restaurant awaits.  With some cherished friends.  And a Martini or two.  Or more.