Pharmaceuticals have always been a safer profession. The largest pharmaceuticals market resides in the world's largest economy. And trust me, it lures as many science/health professionals from all over the globe as "too big to fail" kind of investment banks lure top tier university graduates.
I was born in India, a country with the highest number of citizens who dream to be the permanent residents and citizens of the United States. When I was in school, I dreamt to become an Engineer, to be specific, Electronics and Communication Engineer. That dream might be the longest driven dream of my life so far that last until I graduated with my high school diploma. I needed to choose my career and college. Day was scheduled to fulfill that childhood dream. And it happened. First career change of my life took place. Glamour and enchantment and inducement of the US pharmaceuticals market touched me. I followed, and was followed the crowd that wants to earn a pharmaceutical science degree, land on the US for higher education and make 100 grands easily. After four years, I got my undergraduate degree, a degree that might not be helpful to me in foreseeable future.
Being an immigrant, I came to the land of opportunities, the land of immigrants and the land of prosperity. This impression started to fade away as the most disastrous financial storm was approaching. When this "the great recession" started, I had no idea what it would bring to my life. If I am not overstating, current economic situation is one of the major reasons why I am creating this blog. Started my MBA majoring in Pharmaceutical Management, I never knew that another career change was about to embrace me. Finance, Investments & Banking- The most magnetic and alluring profession I have found on this planet. Why not? Money is being used to create money in this profession. I can't imagine any fascinating thing than this is. This was new subject and area for me after chasing engineering and pharmaceuticals for years. But I could see myself growing in this sphere and that helped me build my determination of being a Finance & Investments pro. After months of careful introspection and professional counselling, I prepared myself to go for CFA Charterholder designation. I passed level-I exam of CFA successfully and graduated with my MBA in Finance.
Indeed, I prepared myself for predicted catastrophes of unemployment. But still, I have been hoping for something good for me because of my diverse educational background and up til successful progress towards CFA. Purpose of this blog is to share my experience of looking for employment in this rough economy. I want to share my thoughts on the factors related to career change that effect one's efforts to be employed.
- I have come across many frustrating thoughts that led me to introspect and analyze myself often. I was significantly lacking of financial and investment experience when I was nascent in job market. I used to get many rejections for the jobs I applied for and am still getting them. But only positive thing I have since last six months is my current job. It has been my good luck that I got opportunity to work in Bloomberg, LP- a Fortune 500 and Forbes 52nd largest private company in the US. It has helped me build my professional work experience. It has made me feel that I am in growth stage of this vast profession.
- Career changes are made mainly because of two reasons: One is external factors like family business, immediate financing needs or some other factors. The other is to try something new lucrative profession because of current monotonous job. Fortunately or unfortunately- I do not know, but I do know that I have gone through both reasons. There is neither any culprit nor victim.
- Survey says that most of the career changes are resulting in to finance and banking careers. Nearly, 15-25% IT & software professionals leave their consulting jobs in their 30's and leap in to core financial and banking jobs. But I have understood that after certain important years of work experience in any field, career change is not as struggling as nascent professionals like me face. Only reason- Fundamentals of corporate life remain the same.
Few things I really want to share before I end this blog:
- Please never hesitate to think about career change.
- Remember, the true contentment of work can only be achieved through the work you enjoy the most.
- New career definitely will not give comfort and gratification in the beginning; but long term rewards are phenomenal and stupendous.
- If you are unclear, please seek for independent professional counselling.
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