Last few weeks I have been juggling between working, traveling, meeting people, visiting friends, family, extended family. Everywhere I went, there were a few questions that every individual wanted to know. The amazing part was, the questions were all similar. The expressions on their faces changed from REALLY ! NOT believable ! Suspicion ! How is that possible ? Well... I left it to them to ruminate our discussion :)
Why can't people understand there are jobs beyond being a doctor, professor or working in an MNC ? So, here it is, how I am put under the GUN -
1st Bullet fired...........
What do you really do ?
Automatically I smile and almost grinning ear to ear, I say, I work as a tester, very well knowing this is not going to be accepted with open arms. Once a friend of mine had the cheek to say, "AH ! now i know why you smell so nice- You are a perfume tester." Another one shot, may be a food tester, she cooks well too. Some of them want to seriously know about my work. I go ahead telling them all about testing websites. Most of them think this is just a recreation with no stability. I have failed to explain them Errr..it's real work. I don’t do this
for fun or entertainment, this is what I live, love, work, breathe!! Surprisingly, I still get
asked in social gatherings - SO, what do you do now? Working ? Did you find some stable job ? !! Everyone is ready with references ! Well... I take it as their affection for me.
2nd Bullet fired by people who have an idea what i do.....What is the need of working in a start up ? Why put in so much effort, time and hard work ? Get a stable and respectable job in some MNC, you will get paid
so well!!
How to make people understand this simple fact- its NOT all about money, status, position. I survive on adrenaline rush, the feeling of missing a heart beat before every new release, the excitement of feedback , highs and lows, chasing
deadlines every other day and doing the seemingly impossible tasks?! EVERY DAY is an achievement. Yes, I can get a
“stable, cushy” job in an MNC, but that is not what I would enjoy. I want to face challenges every day. I want to learn ,know and try a new thing every day. The sheer routine in an MNC, of being given one particular job, day after day will drive me up the wall.
3rd Bullet........... Experimenting is a good thing, trying new things is good- But for how long ? When will you settle down ?
Err...Do I look unsettled ? 'Settle down' - what does that actually mean ? OK, i don't have a job like your daughter in IBM, but I am very much settled. I love my job. I don't get time. It is not something I do to FILL IN GAPS of the time i have. Working from HOME does NOT make the job any less powerful and it makes no difference working in small company. You REALLY want to learn and progress, work in a start up !! It's true, I just need an internet connection and a device to do my work. Isn't it amazing ! Well, it appears more unbelievable I guess.
4th Bullet shot by suspicious people who are on the internet and have a good idea of the work i do. Without looking up from their mobiles, with glasses resting half way on their nose - they say with a gruff voice - The world out there is BAD for women. Is it not difficult to manage people on internet ?
Yes, it is not a cake walk. Specially when you have to deal with a new set of people. Out of 10 people 8 have tested my boundaries. Acceptance is low. But, that does not mean I will sit and sulk. Should I stop trying ? Should I just give up ? In my experience over the years , I have had great working relationship with my male bosses, colleagues, clients. At the end of the day - EVERYONE respects a professional. Just focusing on what the work is and getting it done puts everyone at ease. The thumb rule of keeping quiet and not letting yourself loose at work place works very well on the internet too for women ! In fact, I have also been told to have fun sometimes :)
5th Bullet.....After they see, I have not given up..... Will this kind of a job keep you happy always ?
This made me think a little. And I said - My journey is fulfilling. I cannot think of any other way to of being more happy. This is what I live and breathe. I am passionate about every single new creation, testing it, making it better. It's like putting life into something and presenting it to the world.
THIS IS WHAT that KEEPS ME HAPPY amongst the many others these days
