This must rank amongst the top 10 water-cooler conversations in offices around the country. I have my own theory about what sets apart an IIT-IIM graduate (or for that matter a person from any reputed institute) from the rest.- Popular belief: Managers say that they observe a noticable difference in the performance of IIT-IIMers when compared to others. They say that these folks tend to be more organized and structured in their approach to work.
- Response: Given the widespread prevalance of this theory, one has to grudgingly admit that there is indeed a noticable difference in the performance of this brat pack, especially when work has to be done under pressure. If one were to admit that these guys are really more focussed and organized, what is it that ordains them with these gifts? Are they born that way? Are they truly smarter than the rest of us? Not quite so, my interactions with loads of IIT-IIMers have shown that most of these guys are not born geniuses (discount the few exceptions). It is the grind of the IIT-IIM system that makes them super efficient survivors who thrive under pressure. IITs, IIMs, etc. breed a highly competitive atmosphere within. When the exams and assignments pile up, every strata of collegiate existance, be it the top rankers, the averagers or the bottom of the class, get embroiled in a battle for survival. The sheer number of project submissions, tests and exams provide innumerable chances for students to practice and perfect their survival skills to the hilt. Handling stress, time management, prioritizing work to meet deadlines, these skills become second nature by the time you pass the course. You might question what makes exams in these institutes any different from those in other places, well the answer is that these institutes take their exams really, really seriously because in the face of infrastructural constraints and lack of teaching staff their very survival depends on building a high performance culture in their students through artificially hyped exams. This is the only way to maintain their reputation amidst plunging standards.
So, that's my submission of the day, IIT-IIMers are no smarter than ordinary mortals. What makes them tick at the work place is their ability to stretch when the situation demands it. So, the next time you encounter a haughty IIT-IIM colleague at work, don't despair, he's no genetic freak programmed for ineluctable success. His secret recipe is most likely to be pure and simple hard work, you put in your quota of the same and you should be able to give him a run for the money when it matters. Amen.
1 comment:
i may like to add here, kindly come to nift and there is surprize waiting for u here... despite it being a "creative" course.. the work pressure is so much and the cut throat thing so apparent that we feel probably we would have done better in an academic course... sleep is a thing long forgotten. the concept of day and night is there only because we need to reach college on time... IIT+ IIM or for that matter any other reputed professional course, takes its exams, submissions, assignments very seriously. its a matter of survival, not hard work, but smart work too.... par example : majdoors do hard work... civil enngrs do the smart work....
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