A Piece of Advice Amid Global Layoffs

Dear 3rd/2nd Year Students

 

A Piece of Advice! If it appeals to you, please consider it. If not, please ignore this message. There is a famous quote- "Whatever advice you give, be short". I will try to follow in this message.

 

Today morning one of my friends called. He is into a high bracket salary. Suddenly he is asked to move to a non-engineering role. Couple of days back a student called and shared his opinion, "rather aiming for big package jobs, better to aim for a 4-5 L package (fresher) which is sustainable for companies (manageable during this period) and to the individuals (no cost to the organization hence we are not in layoff radar). we are unable to bear this social pressure! Artificially we are taking more work to show to our manager. The other side of the issue, "Managers are giving more work to us to show to their managers"!!". What an irony?

 

Looks simply but it is a serious issue. See the Headlines of Economic Times today!

 

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/amazon-india-likely-to-axe-jobs-amid-global-layoffs/articleshow/95539763.cms 

 

On Sep 23 2021, I wrote an article- "Don't Overprice Yourself! It is End of Your Career!!". Many disagreed with this philosophy. In that article, I mentioned, "You know what, currently you are wearing chappals. Now, you need to wear skating shoes! The challenge is finding the rink so that skating shoes move! If it is rough terrain, skating shoes fail!"- https://i2itm.blogspot.com/2021/09/dont-overprice-yourself-it-is-end-of.html .

Today Nov 16 2022. Rink became rough. Skating shoes became a hindrance to many. They are not able to wear chappals back, the issue is not with feet but societal eyes!

 

Now what is the course correction and saviour?

 

1. All 2nd and 3rd Years- Search for an Internship, preferably more than 6-8 months. Ask for work. Don't demand Pay. Learn more, Help more!

 

2. No Dream Companies!! Aspire for Dream Work! Aspire for Deep Problems as your work title!!

 

3.Interviewing skill is more critical now! 10,000 hours of degree is decided by 5 Minutes Interview! Practice https://skill2030.com Mock Interview. It is free now for students. 

 

Today, Nov 16 2022. I will write again on Nov 16 2023! whether this model makes sense or not? 

 

Happy Interning. No Pay Packages. Build Software Packages!! This is the mantra for next 1 year. 

 

Note: I am not complaining neither corporates (for layoffs) nor individuals (who are aspiring for high packages). Advice is to start small, think big. Don't rush for packages. Rush to solve problems in human centered way, money is the by-product.

 

Ravi Saripalle